WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. (Edited)October 28, 2015:
Today, the Common Core Task Force announced its public meeting schedule, which includes 12 meetings across New York State beginning tomorrow, October 29, in New Rochelle.
Public Session One– Thursday, October 29th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.The College of New Rochelle
Maura Hall Room, Maura Hall
29 Castle Place
New Rochelle, NY 10805
Note – Check-in begins at 3:30 P.M.
Members of the public are free to attend this meeting and hear the testimonies of a series of preselected speakers scheduled to present to the Task Force panel..
The public though will not be allowed to address the Task Force directly from the floor.
The Governor’s Press Office told WPCNR Thursday afternoon that members of the public can send comments on the testimony they hear tomorrow to the Common Core Task Force website at
https://www.ny.gov/programs/common-core-task-force
The Task Force will then host ten simultaneous regional listening sessions where members of the public are invited to deliver testimony next week.
The public sessions are a part of a series of outreach initiatives to engage New Yorkers and generate feedback to the Task Force.
The Common Core Task Force is chaired by Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners Inc. and former Chairman of the Board, Citigroup Inc.
Mr. Parsons said: “These public meetings will be vital to our comprehensive review of the Common Core. In the coming weeks, the Task Force will engage in meaningful dialogue with New Yorkers across the state who offer a range of perspectives, voice their ideas and provide critical feedback on the standards and their implementation. I look forward to getting these sessions underway.”
During the public session in New Rochelle, members of the Common Core Task Force will receive presentations by five speakers representing diverse viewpoints related to the Task Force’s charge. Following the presentations, Task Force members will engage the speakers in Q&A.
The entire session, including presentations and Q&A, will be open to members of the public and press and video of the session will be posted on the Task Force website.
During the regional public sessions, members of the public are invited to deliver timed open testimony to the attending representative of the Common Core Task Force. The entire session will be open to members of the public and press.
The public meeting schedule following the New Rochelle meeting tomorrow is as follows:
Regional Public Sessions– Friday, November 6th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.One session will be held in each region of the state (total of 10 meetings). Regional meeting details will be available on the Task Force website early next week.
Public Session Two– Wednesday, November 18thfrom 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.Erie County – meeting details will be announced on theTask Force websiteas they become available.The public is also encouraged to submit comments and recommendations to the Common Core Task Force on its website, ny.gov/CommonCoreTaskForce.
Presenters for the first public session, held tomorrow in the Lower Hudson Valley, are:
1. Dr. Linda Sturges, Professor of Mathematics & Mathematics and Computer Science Curriculum Supervisor, SUNY Maritime College
2. Judy Kelly, English Teacher, Sleepy Hollow High School; English Department Chair, Sleepy Hollow High School & Middle School; President, Local Teachers Union
3. Jamaal Bowman, Principal, Cornerstone Academy for Social Action
4. Lisa Rudley, Westchester County Parent, Co-Founder and Executive Director of New York State Allies for Public Education
5. Robert Horan, Superintendent, Schodack Central School District
Background on the Speakers:
Dr. Linda Sturges, Professor of Mathematics & Mathematics and Computer Science Curriculum Supervisor, SUNY Maritime College
Dr. Linda Sturges is a Professor of Mathematics and the Mathematics and Computer Science Curriculum Supervisor. In 2005, she was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service and her service as Chair of the Faculty Assessment Committee was recognized with a certificate and plaque in 2012.
Dr. Sturges’ University service includes membership in the SUNY Council on Assessment (SCoA) and participation in SUNY Advisory Groups on pre-college assessments in mathematics with SED and PARCC. Dr. Sturges has worked on various mathematics learning and teaching projects through the Educational Policy Improvement Center. Her professional service is linked to her research interests on self-regulated learning within AERA. Dr. Sturges is the treasurer for the AERA Special Interest Group on Studying and Self-Regulated Learning. Professor Sturges earned a BS in Mathematics from SUNY New Paltz, a MA in Mathematics Education from Lehman College, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center.
Judy Kelly, English Teacher, Sleepy Hollow High School; English Department Chair, Sleepy Hollow High School & Middle School; President, Local Teachers Union
Judith Kelly has been a teacher in public schools for the past twenty-two years. Currently, she teaches high school level English at Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow, New York, where she has been employed for the past nineteen years. In addition to her role as a teacher, Ms. Kelly is the English Department Chair for grades 6-12 and the President of the Teachers’ Association of the Tarrytowns. Prior to her tenure at Sleepy Hollow, she taught middle school English in the New York City Public School System at Intermediate School 211 in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Ms. Kelly holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Marist College and a MS in Secondary English Education from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz. In addition, she has earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz. She resides in New Paltz, New York with her husband and two children.
Jamaal Bowman, Principal, Cornerstone Academy for Social Action
Jamaal Bowman is the Founding Principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action (C.A.S.A.) Middle School in the Bronx. Mr. Bowman received his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of New Haven in May 1999 and immediately began his teaching career at P.S. 90 in the South Bronx. After spending five years at P.S. 90, Mr. Bowman moved on to serve as the Dean of Students at the High School for Arts and Technology. In 2008 Mr. Bowman was accepted into New Leaders for New Schools, and spent the year writing the proposal for C.A.S.A. while interning at Achievement First Endeavor Charter School. Mr. Bowman is a Certified Business Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and School Building Leader. He has used all of his personal and professional experience to build the vision, mission, tone, and foundation of C.A.S.A. Middle School.
C.A.S.A., now in its 6th year, has been celebrated for its exemplary school culture, high student achievement, and innovative student centered practices. C.A.S.A. students consistently attend some of the top high schools in New York City including Bronx High School of Science and Brooklyn Latin, and are offered accelerated coursework in Algebra, Living Environment, and English. On the 2015 Common Core State Exams, C.A.S.A. earned the highest combined growth score average in New York City. Mr. Bowman was born and raised in the East Harlem/Yorkville section of New York City, and is a product of public schools. Most importantly, he is a proud husband and father of three.
Lisa Rudley, Westchester County Parent, Co-Founder and Executive Director of New York State Allies for Public Education
Lisa Rudley, Westchester County, Ossining Public School parent of 3 children ages 10, 13 and 15 years old. Founding member of New York State Allies for Public Education, a coalition of over 50 parent and educator groups. A leading voice in New York for student and parental rights, Lisa advocates for people with disabilities and public education on a local, state, and federal level.
Robert Horan, Superintendent, Schodack Central School District
Robert Horan taught technology education at Mohonasen Central School District from 1986 to 2002, and for part of that time was the Dean of Students. From 2002-2004, he worked for the Shenendehowa Central School District as Department Administrator for Technology and Business Education. In 2004, Mr. Horan was hired by the Schodack Central School District as the Principal of Maple Hill High School where he remained until becoming the Superintendent in July 2010. Mr. Horan resides in Niskayuna with his wife and three children.
