January 29, 2014

Bolinsky, House Republicans Call for Delay on Common Core

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HARTFORD – State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106 Newtown) and other House members on the Education Committee today called for delaying implementation of the Common Core curriculum until after a public hearing can be conducted to fully vet the school program, a process that has not taken place.

The lawmakers also called for a moratorium on spending to enact Common Core, including a $1 million public relations campaign, until after the hearing.

Earlier this week, Bolinsky has met with teachers, parents and school administrators in an attempt to understand their concerns with the implementation of Common Core and the evaluation system.

“We need to have a statewide discussion and debate in the legislature over what these sweeping changes in our public schools will mean for our students, educators and parent,’’ said Education Committee Member State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky. “We are calling for a public hearing with the State Board of Education to air all these issues.’’

There is a very real concern teachers are going to be evaluated based on the Smarter Balanced assessment test, a tool that has not been tested or vetted in its first year of implementation.

“We’re wading into uncharted waters and we don’t yet know whether this evaluation method is remotely appropriate. What we are finding early-on is that parents, teachers and administrators are pushing back and expressing serious reservations about the ambiguities of the program. We have experience that leads me to believe that, the more onerous we allow the powers-that-be to make the testing, the more teachers will be pressured to teach only to the test. Parents are skeptical that the testing will be so over-the-top that practical, subject-based leaning may fall to the wayside. Teachers are concerned that creativity will become a thing of the past. I have heard horror stories of students breaking into tears because of the pressure brought on by all the additional testing. There are huge, non-curriculum demands on student and teacher time and, from my perspective, hours spent doing activities that detract from learning just do not belong in our schools. Everyone needs to be accountable but we have to work out the kinks in this testing process,” Bolinsky said.

The lawmakers have recommended the Education Committee host the hearing and that all stakeholders – parents, educators, the State Board of Education and others should be welcome.