Article written by Matt Colton

 

This could be his greatest legacy, or his greatest downfall

Governor Andrew Cuomo is a polarizing figure in the landscape of New York State education world. His introduction of the Common Core and new state testing standards in 2010 lives in infamy, enraging teachers and parents across the state. Many call the system a “shame” and a “disgrace”.

“The standards have been set so high that it’s unrealistic for even two thirds of a class to pass,” said Daniel Giordano, superintendent of Lindenhurst Public Schools in Suffolk County. “It’s an absolute shame. Cuomo just wants to point fingers and get rid of as many teachers as he can. Does this seem fair? I hardly think so.”

 

The air was filled with tension inside the auditorium at Lindenhurst High School. On this cool November night on Long Island, the heat coming off teachers and parents alike could practically be felt. A rally was being held protesting common core and the state tests, something that has become somewhat of a routine over the last couple of years. You could hear the passion in each and everyone’s voices. Curses flied through the air. This was a side to many teachers that most people do not see. They were angry.

“I teach second grade,” said Pat Tyrie a teacher at the Alleghany Avenue elementary school in Lindenhurst. “I was speaking with the other second grade teachers the other day, and we all said the same thing. Our students are having extreme difficulty with math. We didn’t know what it was at first. They need their hand held through everything concerning math and lack basic mathematical skills. This is the most extreme that it’s ever been. Then we had an ah-ha moment. This kids were in kindergarten the first year that common core was introduced.”

Parents are angry too.

“It’s absurd. It’s way too much work for simply solving 7 + 5,” said Lisa Jansenn, a mother of a 8 year old boy who attends a local elementary school. “Instead of teaching our children the value of numbers, were stuck on making them find 10. It doesn’t make any sense. I don’t even get my son’s homework! How am I supposed to help him?”

A roar of applause arose across the auditorium, fellow parents nodding their heads in agreement. The passion was there, and it was felt throughout the room.

“I’ve just had enough of it,” Jansenn said afterwards. “I have a son who is 13. He went through elementary school before Common Core came into the picture, and I’ll tell you what, he’s a math whiz. It just seems so unnecessary to me.” Jansenn added: “My kid certainly isn’t taking any state test this year. It’s time to make a point.”

Such outrage is common. While the curriculum’s goal to better educate students may be up for debate, what it definitely succeeded in was a crash course education in activism. The point is being made over and over again across Long Island. Why take the test? Of the almost 200,000 children in New York State that opted out, more than 50,000 were from the South Shore of Long Island. In such a large state, the fact that more than a quarter of the opt-outs came from such a small portion of the state is staggering. At Tyre’s school students came to school the day of the last year’s test wearing T-shirts that read “I am more than just a number”. Suffolk County neighbors in North Babylon and West Islip held similar student protests. Tyre explained, “That’s exactly how they are viewed as. Just statistics. Cuomo just wants to look at how many passed, and more importantly how many didn’t pass, so he can clean house. It’s disgraceful, and all a big shame.”

Indeed, much of the anger across the state is hurled directly at Cuomo. Meetings, like the one in Lindenhurst, turn in to screaming matches as New Yorkers blame the Governor personally for all that is wrong in education.

“He is such a jerk for putting our children through all of this,” said Jansenn. “It simply isn’t right. All he is worried about his leaving a lasting legacy on the state of New York. He really has no interest in my son becoming proficient in math. All he cares about is money and getting rid of teachers, many of which are damn good teachers. So no, I will not vote for this guy the next time he is up for reelection. My blood boils over this, as you can tell.”

“We’ve had enough of Cuomo,” Said Linda Linnich, mother of a local 7 year-old boy. “When I can’t help my son with his second grade addition homework, there is a problem.”

Steve D’Angelo, a tutor at the local library, was even a bit shocked when common core was first introduced. “I’ve been tutoring here for about 6 years now. I love working with kids here. When I first started, it was the same math that I learned when I was in school. Not only have I had to learn addition and subtraction all over again, but the parents had to as well. It just doesn’t seem right to me.”

The impartial view of a tutor speaks volumes in this debate. While change has often brought distress over the course of time, the opposition to change in this instance is stunning. Whether it be angry quotes or protests, everything has been heating up in this already heated political debate.

Quotes from Andrew Cuomo has done nothing to douse the flames.

Cuomo, who was never high on the old education standards in New York State, recently wrote in Newsday “In New York last year, about 99 percent of the teachers were rated effective while only 38 percent of high school graduates are ready for college or careers. How can that be?”

Common core has become a toxic phrase to some in the education world, and it is because of quotes like this. “Cuomo has spent much of his time bashing teachers in recent years,” said George Cooke, a fifth grade teacher from the Lindenhurst district. “If he ever wanted teachers on his side he would stop these personal attacks. Through his comments he has created an irreparable divide between government and teachers.”

New York State United Teachers recently released the following statement:

“Let’s be absolutely clear: NYSUT rejects this evaluation system. It is an unworkable, convoluted plan that undermines local control, disrespects principals and school administrators, guts collective bargaining and further feeds the testing beast. It does nothing to help students and will do nothing to foster the professional dialogue and collaboration that is essential to helping New York’s already strong teaching force become stronger. Ironically, this will only make it harder for school districts in impoverished communities to attract and retain the excellent teachers that students need and deserve.”

 

NYSUT represents the teachers of New York. While a select few may not agree with their quote, the majority do. In the south shore of Long Island, a hotbed for opposition and protest, they fully agree. Especially the Lindenhurst School District.

 

The evening reached it’s climax when the teachers union’s president, John Savastano, came to the microphone with his cell phone on speakerphone. He called Governor Cuomo’s office and left a voicemail, along with everyone in attendance.

“Governor Cuomo. These are the concerned voices of teachers and parents from Lindenhurst.”

The crowd in unison shouted: “We are disgusted! We want change! This has to stop!”

Savastano continued, “As you can see, we are all pissed off. You better fix this, governor, because you are screwing the public school system. Have a great day.”

A thunderous applause arose from the crowd.

This small town on Long Island is simply outraged.

Change does not happen without movements. It remains to be seen what’s in store for the future of Common Core in New York State. What is certain is that the protests will continue, and the anger is greater than ever.