ALBANY, N.Y. October 15, 2013 - In response to state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. today describing New York State United Teachers' call for a three-year moratorium as a "distraction," NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi issued the following statement:
"Once again, Commissioner King is trying to use NYSUT's support for the potential of the Common Core and the legislative framework for a fair evaluation system as a smokescreen to cover up his rushed and poorly executed attempt at implementation.
"It's shocking that the commissioner is dismissing the voices he has heard for two years as no more than 'special interests.' They are desperately asking for the time and tools to get it right. These are the voices of parents and teachers who care deeply about how to properly maximize the value of public education and want to help students reach higher standards.
"If Commissioner King doesn't understand that NYSUT's call for a moratorium is not a distraction but rather a genuine call for a course correction, then we need someone who does."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
Via Capital New York: