This petition was written by supporters of public education in New York State called the Coalition for Justice in Education.
They object to King’s insistence on high-stakes standardized testing, especially the Common Core testing that recently led to a collapse of student scores across the state.
They seek a commissioner who cares about public education, cares about the quality of education–not just test scores, and cares about children.
I agree, which is why I wrote a post calling on John King to resign.
He may have the confidence of the Board of Regents, but he has lost the confidence of the parents and educators of New York State.
If you agree with their petition, sign it.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Done and passed along to others!
This is what John King really thinks of
parents who “opt out”, or even complain
about his “education reform.”
http://www.southbronxschool.com/2013/10/fine-dining-with-new-york-state.html
King draws an asinine analogy between
parents bitching about Common Core, or
excessive or inappropriate-for-grade-level
testing or whatever…
to…
the lack of restraint to a customer
would show at a restaurant when that
customer has a problem with
the wine or food served to him:
http://www.southbronxschool.com/2013/10/fine-dining-with-new-york-state.html
He puts himself in a higher order of class
than those belly-aching parents because
when a waiter brings him substandard
food or wine… well… in such a situation,
he doesn’t complain, or send it back. He
sits there and eats it whether he likes it
or not…
(*** actual quote… no joke***)
JOHN KING: “When I’m in a restaurant,
and the waiter opens the bottle of wine for
me to taste, I never say ‘No,’ send it back,
even if it’s horrible. The same with my
meal; if I don’t like it I’ll eat it anyway.”
AND DAMN IT!!! THAT’S WHAT THE
PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN NEW
YORK STATE SHOULD DO AS WELL!!!
Those on the state level who made the final decision to implement new teacher evaluation plans simultaneously with the Common Core Standards and Assessments, need to admit this was a colossal mistake and/or lose their jobs. I teach students who struggle academically. In so many ways, this decision negatively impacted my students and the quality of their education.
Done! My home computer blew up and I’m at the public library catching up on the latest.
New York is on a race with New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut and Massachusetts to see who can replace Mississippi in Arne’s Race to the Bottom.
How sad, as the old song goes: “funny how ONE insect can damnage so much grain”.
Dump Duncan now!
I encourage EVERYONE in NY State to sign the petition to remove John King. We should start up one to do the same for Merrly Tisch.