SED Commissioner Addresses NYS School Superintendents

State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. told school superintendents from across the state that the education reforms adopted by the New York State Board of Regents will help make high school graduates in New York "college- and career- ready."  King, speaking at the New York State Council of School Superintendents 2011 Fall Leadership Summit in Saratoga Springs, said too many of New York State public high school graduates are not prepared for college and work.  He noted that roughly 40 percent of students entering community colleges across the state have to take remedial classes.

"The world of work has changed," King said.  "A high school diploma alone is no longer a ticket to success.  Our economy depends on our schools, and we need to improve the results our schools get.   We’ve made some progress, but there are still far too many kids not graduating from high school.  And too many of those kids who do graduate just aren’t ready for college or a career.  The Regents reforms will help change that.  The common core standards will make sure that students have the knowledge and the skills to succeed in college and the workplace."

King laid out a broad vision for school reform, highlighting the key points of the Regents reforms, including the common core standards that will begin to be implemented this year across the state.  He urged the superintendents to begin the process by helping teachers implement at least one unit of the common core each semester this school year.

King also asked the superintendents to let their faculties know about www.engageny.org, a new website designed to provide information and instructional materials to help bring the common core to the classroom.  He said engageny.org was a "great resource for classroom teachers to help them make the instructional shifts necessary to implement the common core."