Miller Place Approves NYS Education Department Resolution

Schools all over the county have been taking a sting against everything from the Common Core standards, to implementation, and even APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review). At previous meetings, residents have asked the board to adopt a similar resolution to show the state how the town feels. 

At the last Board of Education meeting, parents voiced concerns about the Math Modules that are being implemented as part of the Common Core Standard. At the time, Janine Scheuermann, Miller Place resident and special education teacher in Half-Hollow Hills, said her second grade twin daughters, who have always excelled, are now tanking due to the modules.

“My daughter got a 6 out of 17 on an exam. I wrote the teacher a note and I didn’t get a response. Then I went into my daughter’s backpack, she hid it, saying she would do better. This is very sad. I am asking if there could be a change," said Scheuermann.

Although the residents knew the board adopting a resolution wouldn't solve anything over night many of them said it would show a sign of support that the district hears the communities concerns and are taking a stand.

At the Dec. 11 board meeting, the board did finally pass a resolution with the initiative to keep the focus on teaching in New York State. According to the resolution, "Emphasis on standardized testing in state and federal accountability systems is negatively impacting educational quality and equity in some U.S. schools by hindering educators' efforts to focus on the board range of learning experiences."

The resolution goes on to discuss the negative impacts of statewide mandates such as Race to The Top which was not adequately funded by the state and the move to computer-based testing which might end up costing districts millions in technology upgrades. 

In conclusion, the resolution states that Miller Place calls on Governor Andrew Cuomo, Commissioner John King, state legislators, and basically anyone else who will listen to "reexamine public school accountability systems and develop a system based on multiple forms of assessment that does not require extensive standardized testing."

The resolution was passed in an unanimous vote, with board Trustee Brian Neyland absent from the meeting.