Establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission on 21st Century and Curriculum

Summary of provisions

Section One establishes a new Article 7-B in the education law, entitled the Blue Ribbon Commission on 21st Century Testing and Curriculum. This section contains definitions, the composition of the commission, powers of the commission, and duties of the commission. Based on their findings, the commission is charged with the responsibility of issuing a report, making recommendations to the legislature and the governor regarding education policy and best practices for P-12 education. The report is due no later than January 31st, 2018. This section also requires a suspension of the common core curriculum and testing based off of common core standards. Upon the conclusion of the work of the Commission, they will be required to take a vote on whether New York State should adopt a set of New York State standards and curriculum. The commission is further empowered to appoint a committee to develop a set of New York State standards should they recommend doing so. Further, this section requires the state education department to apply for a flexibility waiver from the U.S. Department of Education pertaining to the state's Race to the Top obligations.

Section Two is the effective date.

Justification

In 2010, the State Education Department secured Race to the Top Funding from the U.S. Department of Education. In exchange for $700 Million in funding, the state education department made various commitments related to educational standards, testing, a teacher evaluation system, and data collection. As time has shown, the implementation of Common Core has been deeply flawed resulting in poor educational outcomes. Before moving any further with the new curriculum and testing, an independent commission should be formed to study the best method of improving educational standards for our children. By holding hearings across the state, receiving and reviewing public comment, and comparing the common core curriculum with the curriculum in existence prior to the implementation of common core, the commission will be best suited to make recommendations regarding educational policy. The commission will also be tasked with making recommendations regarding appropriate methods in transitioning to new educational standards. Further, the commission will review the time and resources allocated to preparing for and administering state-wide tests and the impact thereof on the quality of instruction for students in this state. After thorough analysis, the commission will be able to advise the legislature and governor on appropriate standards and testing at each grade level, best methods of implementing any new standards and tests, and the age-appropriateness of testing at each grade level. During the pendency of this study, any and all steps taken to implement the new common core curriculum and testing will be halted. We must ensure that state standards, curriculum and testing are calibrated in a way that ensures that our students are prepared to succeed.

Legislative history

2014 - S. 6604a/A. 8844a - Education Committee.

Fiscal implications

Potentially none to the state, depending on the response from the U.S. Department of Education to the statutorily mandated flexibility waiver.

Effective date

This act shall take effect June 30, 2016 or on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law, whichever is later.