This letter was distributed to every member of the New York State Board of Regents, along with many elected officials in New York State.
Dear Distinguished Elected Officials,
I am the parent of two children one presently enrolled in the Spackenkill school district, the other is a junior in college studying computer science, much to my chagrin. I have an advanced degree and have practiced in the legal field for many years. I am raising my second child who is now in Kindergarten in the Spackenkill School District, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Spackenkill teachers are professional, engaging and amazing people! They go the extra mile for our students. We feel blessed to live and learn in this small community. But, I digress. A little more about me. Both my parents are physicians. My brother has a PhD in neuroscience. In fact, to be honest everyone in my family has an advanced degree of some sort, mostly MDs, a few pharmacists and some dentists. I have a JD. Naturally, I am the black sheep in this family both figuratively and pregoratively. My point? As you can see, I am not an ignorant fool…..no, in my family we strive for and understand the value of a stellar education. I want to instill those values and I expect the same opportunity for my children too.
Which brings me to why I am writing you today. I am writing to express my deep disatisfaction with Commissioner of Education John B. King, Jr. I attended and spoke at the October 10, 2013 Town Hall event and would like to share my thoughts with you, if you dont mind.
The event, at capacity, was hosted by the NYSPTA. My friend Jennifer Kaufman (who also spoke) and I sat in my car prior to the event debating whether we should bail and go for coffee to catch up. That was the extent of our “plot” to organize some sort of concerted effort to “manipulate and control” the forum. I assure you, that was the farthest thing from our minds that evening. My intention that evening was to face Dr. King, make eye contact and to be heard with the hopes that he would address my concerns. End of story. No conspiracy there.
From the NYSPTA Town Hall flyer:
“NYS PTA is providing you with this opportunity to gather information,
ask questions, and share concerns with NYS Education Commissioner
John King and/or other SED Representatives at one of five town hall meetings around the state”
Those of us who were at the meeting saw firsthand that Dr King must have missed the memo. Instead of providing parents and teachers the opportunity to “ask questions, and share concerns” this meeting was dominated by Dr. King. The audience was not given much opportunity to speak, ask questions or raise concerns which issues we were hoping the Commissioner would address.
Concededly, there were some hecklers at the meeting. People who were rude and spoke out of turn. But, I understand why they were acting this way. You see, as parents and teachers I feel that we have not been afforded an opportunity to express our concerns directly to the man in charge – Commissioner King- about Core, privacy or testing and this was our golden moment. A shot. A chance. A rare opportunity for us as parents and teachers to face the man who is making important, significant educational policy decisions that have been affecting our lives every day and night at, breakfast, lunch and at the dinner table with our children. Look, this forum was supposed to be our turn to have a say, a voice, a chance to express concerns. This evening, for once, was about us, not about him.
I understand that some people were rude and spoke out of turn. Some hecklers were annoying. But, so what? This is a very important subject one that we have been denied an opportunity to participate in at the outset. So, even though I dont condone such behavior, I understand where these people were coming from. In my opinion, whether rational or not, they were coming from a primal need and desire to protect their children. Guess what? I GET THAT AND CAN RESPECT THAT. Can you? Truthfully, if Commissioner King had handled these individuals questions and concerns with sensitivity, tact and grace then I would have had respect for him also.
But thats not what happened. I was there. I spoke at the mic. I consumed every last second of my precious 2 minutes at that mic. while Dr. King made attempts to further dominate and manipulate the forum. I had 2 minutes to speak up – I did the best that I could speaking as quickly but articulately as I could knowing full well that my concerns were not and have not been addressed and probably wont be. This does not sit well with me. But, to add insult to injury, the meeting ended abruptly after 5 speakers including myself presented leaving at least 75 or more people who were simply denied the chance to speak. On subject matter of this magnitude, this is simply unacceptable.
Commissioner King has since canceled all further Town Hall appearances without affording parents, students, and teachers an opportunity to have a voice in the curriculum that is being bestowed on them. We deserve better. What a disappointment and disgrace to parents, teachers and students of Spackenkill and the State of NY. I am very disgusted with the support Commissioner King is recieving from Robert Bartlett, Regents Board Member and Chief.
I would like to express my incredible displeasure at Commissioner John B. King, Jr.’s decision and the support being promulgated by the Board of Regents about his decision to cancel the state sponsored PTA town hall meetings. As I stated earlier, we have legitimate concerns regarding NYS educational reform policies that are affecting our children and deserve an opportunity and forum in which to be heard, not patronized…..heard. Commissioner King is an appointed official who oversees the education of our children. He became defensive when mention was made of his own 2 children, so he should understand why we as parents feel defensive towards NYSED when it comes to the policies being implemented and the curriculum around those policies that affect our children and our lives.
Commissioner King should at least have had the decency to listen to concerns and address policy and curriculum related decisions publicly. He did not do this. This speaks volumes. Frankly, may I be so bold as to suggest that Comissioner King apologize for shutting down dialogue on a subject that is so significant to us as parents and teachers on a daily basis. We breathe it. We sleep it. We eat it. I am flabbergasted that Commissioner King does not have the sensitivity or capacity to understand where parents and teachers are coming from.
Many parents, like myself, chose to raise our children here in NY because of the quality schools that have existed for decades. The Commissioner’s policies seem fatally flawed and the curriculum has been poorly implemented. The canceling of these important meetings suggests to me that the Commissioner of Education, and his progeny, are more concerned with privatized education and corporate nepotism that children and teachers.
Commissioner King claims that the forum was hijacked by self interest groups intent on dominating and manipulating the forum. In one article that is presently circulating, Commissioner King was asked to identify the “self interest” groups he was referring to. He was quoted as saying: google it. I did. The video in which I speak comes up. Commissioner King further elaborates about these purported self interest groups alleging that “Email blasts encouraging their membership to dominate the microphone and take over the meeting,” were sent. http://jamestown.ynn.com/content/news/700678/education-commissioner-to-consider-rescheduling-meetings/#sthash.kk64eK2B.dpuf
Well, if I were an average citizen, which Im not, I would write a boiler plate letter and be done with it. But, Im not writing you a boiler plate letter for a reason. I am disgusted by King’s representations. I am a one of the parents who spoke for 2 minutes at the mircophone on October 10, 2013 before Commissioner King and he has essentially reduced my concerns to anti education reform zealot rhetoric. I dont take kindly to that representation and I dont think my 6 year old and his teachers would appreciate it either.
In the short video aptly entitled “Commissioner gets Spanked” by Mert Melfa, I can be seen around the 7min 10 sec mark. I am “Anna Shak” (sic….its Shah). I am a parent. A taxpayer. A citizen. A mother. I am all of those things and I dont appreciate the fact that Commissioner King dismissed my concerns.
A copy of my speech is attached herewith. I cannot tell you how many hours I have devoted to researching these issues prior to this event in order to be fully informed before speaking to the Commissioner. I wrote my speech because I was thrilled beyond imagination about having the opportunity to voice my concerns to Dr King in an open forum. As you can see from the video and my speech, I was respectful, articulate and I advanced intelligent, well versed and legitimate concerns that I have about common core, testing and privacy that I wanted the Commissioner to hear. I did not even get to finish my statement within the 2 minute mark despite the fact that I had practiced it over 100 times and had clocked in at 1 minute 54 seconds – giving myself the cushion of a few seconds leeway in case I had to sneeze or cough during my statement before Dr. King.
I am disgusted beyond words that a man of the Commissioner’s stature would choose to dismiss parents and lump speakers in with “special interest” groups just because he did not like what he was hearing. King’s statements are inflammatory and abhorrent. Rest assured, I am not a special interest group – I am a parent, a tax payer and a mother of two children who simply wants to make sound decisions that are right for my children. I took the opportunity that exists in a democratic society to air my concerns to the official to whom those matters whould be addressed and he slammed the door in my face and the face of all of us. This is absolutely unacceptable and should not be tolerated by those of you who are in a position to do something about it.
Cancelling further Town Hall sessions and referring to speakers at the mircrophone that night as an organized effort by “special interests” to “dominate and manipulate” the forum was disgraceful. I am offended beyond words by this man. The Commissioner’s decision to cancel further appearances speaks volumes. While I went into this forum willing to have an open mind, circumstances have now changed as a result of King’s behavior. I question his agenda more now then I did before the meeting. I have lost faith and respect in the Education Department. I have been unwilling to be swayed by zealots who argue against education reform in general, as King so put it, but King’s lack of judgment has given legitimacy to these coalitions. As a result of King’s own actions, I am worried that the Core initiative is less about children and more about competing interests (think $). Personally, I attended the meeting skeptical of this initiative, concerned about common core strategies and its implementation and yes I had nagging questions. But, to be honest, I was open to being persuaded if the evidence to back up this plan was there. It wasnt. I had hope that this meeting would quell my concerns so that I could have faith in Commissioner King’s leadership. I went into it as a parent. But, when I realized how mismanaged the system is and how irresponsible Commissioner King has been with legitimate concerns, red flags were raised and circumstances changed considerably for me. King has thrown down the gauntlet- he has accused me of being a “special interest” and he questionsmy agenda. So be it. I have no problem being accused of being a “special interest”. Indeed, my special interest is 6 years old and his name is Tyler and I would love the opportunity to face Commissioner King one more time.
There have been allegations made by Regent Board Member Bennett that Commissioner King was subject to racial slurs at this meeting. I was there at the meeting. I have watched the video several times. Given the fact that I am a person of color, a minority, I am acutely aware and sensitive to the challenges that minorities face on a daily basis. I can assure you that I heard no racial epithets and, in my opinion, the Comissioners race was not a factor at this event.
For all of the forgoing reasons, I am respectfully requesting that elected officials censure, reprimand and/or seek the resignation of Commissioner John B. King, Jr. immediately.
I am attaching a photo of myself and my youngest, “special interest”. Rest assured, I will remain active, interested and involved in my child’s education for despite Commissioner King attempt to shut me and other parents like me out of it. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Shah
This is the message I recently sent to the Board of Regents and my state representatives:
I have been very vocal about my concerns regarding the implementation of the Common Core Standards, testing, and curriculum in NYS. I have written letters and emails to my NYS representatives and made phone calls. I organized a rally which drew over 2000 people to Comsewogue High School to remind everyone that our students are not defined by their state test scores. I’ve been involved and aware. I joined with other concerned community members to create the group Students, Not Scores.
Tonight this fight became very, very personal.
My ten year old daughter asked me what it would take for me to let her stay home from school forever.
Forever. Not tomorrow… not this week. Forever.
Isabella is very well spoken; very bright. She describes herself as a feminist, and loves to debate adults about the inequity of womens’ pay for equal work. She is committed to calling out bullies in school and helping those people she sees that need a little boost. She can carry on conversations about interesting points and people in American history most kids have never heard of. She can tell you all about the Women’s Suffrage Movement. However, Bella doesn’t learn some things as quickly as other kids do. She struggles with reading at grade level, and has difficulty memorizing math facts. Math word problems are confusing to her, and take her longer than her peers. She has to work really hard to be successful academically. And she does work very hard.
But tonight Isabella decided she has had enough. “School is too hard now.” She said. “I’m too stupid to do this math.” I can assure you we do not use the word ‘stupid’ in our home to describe anything, especially not people. But in the one hour conversation we had in which she was begging me to let her quit school, Isabella used that word- stupid- to describe how she felt about herself more than 10 times.
So, now I have had enough.
No matter the intent, good or bad, in creating and implementing these Common Core standards… if they are hurting children, causing them to give up on themselves at ten years old, there is a problem no one can deny. This problem is bigger than the left wing – right wing debate over states rights and Federal overreach. This problem is bigger than corporations spending billions to influence education policy. This problem is bigger than data mining and privacy. This problem is bigger than Bill Gates, Arne Duncan and Commissioner John King.
Because when a child is broken in spirit, when they have lost their self worth and confidence, that damage is not erased easily. When children hate school to the point that they attempt to avoid it at all costs, there will be no desire to be college or career ready.
Now, before you say I just want my child to succeed no matter what, and I must be one of those ‘everyone gets a trophy for participating’ parents, let me say this: I want my children to be challenged. I want them to have to work to be successful. I want them to sweat it out occasionally, and have to ask questions to clarify. I want their curiosity to lead them down paths I’ve never imagined. I want them to want to know more… about everything.
But when they have no confidence, they will not try. They will not raise their hand to ask a question. They will fear homework, quizzes and exams… and the voice they hear in their heads telling them they can’t, will create a self fulfilling prophecy… so they won’t succeed.
If these insane policies pushing developmentally inappropriate curriculum on our children are allowed to stay in place, what will the future hold for those students who do not fit in this one size fits all approach? What will happen when the precious data doesn’t show the growth these education reformers want to see because so many kids just give up? How many kids have to be hurt before we stop? How many kids have to use that word to describe themselves before we realize the damage that is being done?
Tomorrow morning I will bring Isabella to school. I will tell her that I know this is hard, but she has to just try her best. I will tell her I know how smart she is, and so does her teacher. I will kiss her head and whisper “I love you” with a smile.
And after she walks down the long school hallway, I will use very ounce of passion and compassion I have to call on my elected representatives to stop the abuse. I will contact every media outlet and offer my story- Isabella’s story. I will call, write, tweet, and email the Board of Regents and NYSED Commissioner. I will request meetings with policy makers. I will rally friends and family to do the same. I cannot, no I will not sit back and wait for someone else to get this done.
No one has the right to implement policies that are downright abusive, no matter how lofty their goals. These policies have hurt my child- and that is unacceptable. You’ve heard the phrase ‘Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned’…. that is nothing compared to that of a mother protecting her child.
~Ali Gordon
Here’s NY Education Commissioner
John King behind-the scenes:
Wow! My iPhone dictionary can’t even compete with some of this vocabulary! If only EVERY American could/would become this passionate, we would be seeing even more progress. Thank you Anna Shah.
Anna~
This is beautiful. I have a special place in my heart for parents who use their voices to advocate for their children. Well done!
~Meredith
Mother of 9 yr. old son with High Functioning Autism.
Wynantskill, NY
I’ve come to the realization after sitting through several of TN’s DoEd’s ‘listening’ tour events that they are anything but listening opportunities for educators, parents, or concerned citizens. Instead, they are staged PR stunts designed to manufacture consent. Our uncritical media are their willing accomplices. Because selling their version education reforms must appear as if there is public buy-in or law makers get nervous if a large citizens revolt takes root. Because appearing to be responsive to citizens is more important than actually being responsive.
King’s cancellation of future events exposes the singular PR purpose of these events. He needs to cast this obvious broad based citizen revolt as that of a fringe element. Nothing to see here, move on. The crowd quiets and the revolt dies out. The media follows the next shiny object.
What the reformers failed to predict was the nature of parenthood in which parents will fight to the death to protect their children. Parents are not going away. Thank you Diane for starting the rebellion by exposing the facade and folly of the Smartest Guys in the Room™
Thank you, Anna. Your strength, intellect, power, and accuracy are empowering for us all. Thank you for fighting the good fight for the children, teachers, and public schools in NY State. You are an inspiration for all of us to do the same in our home states. So many public schools are like private schools in many of the best ways, including the ones my children attend. Our kids deserve it. All children deserve it.
Politicians shouldn’t mess with Mama and Papa bears. “Hibernation is (a) unique adaptation of nature that allows many animals like the bear to survive during…severe conditions…” We are awake now.
“Hibernation is (a) unique adaptation of nature that allows many animals like the bear to survive during…severe conditions…”
May this be the springtime of discontent that blossoms into a summer of resistance and revival of tried true teaching and learning processes that expose the frauds that are educational standards and standardized testing regimes (and those who support them) and that changes into an autumn of restitution to the students who have been so egregiously harmed by those educational malpractices.
Reblogged this on CNY Teacher and commented:
King is digging himself deeper and deeper every day. Contact your legislators and members of the Board of Regents. It’s time we call for King’s resignation. It’s time we stand up for parents, teachers, and kids in New York’s schools.
You can fax your state representatives by visiting the NYSUT Action Center:
https://mac.nysut.org/faxlegislators/widget/issue/182
Great link to the NYSUT Action Center. They’ve made it so easy to contact our respective legislators. Done.
Reblogged this on Mom Goes Public and commented:
NYS Education Commissioner John King Can Shut Down Town Halls But He Can’t Shut Out Parents
Bravo. When will this dictator be removed from office? What will it take?
To that let’s add this information written by Gary Stern from Gannett Lo-hud.
http://www.lohud.com/article/20131015/NEWS/310150042/N-Y-s-teacher-evaluations-faulted-in-study
Are newspapers reporting more of the truth as opposed to his propaganda now to be called “special interests” as well.
The actual printed version of the paper had this article higher up on the page and above this one…
http://www.lohud.com/article/20131015/NEWS/310150031/Education-chief-defends-cancellation-Common-Core-forums….
a great layout that emphasizes his recalcitrance.
Add to that yesterday’s NYT column by Joe Nocera drawing analogies between Orwell’s 1984 and Dave Egger’s new book , “The Circle” pointing out this top down privatized domination of our society…
Nocera reminds us of the phrases used by Orwell’s “Ministry of Truth”…”WAR IS PEACE”, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, AND IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
He compares them with phrases used by Egger’s “Circle”‘s phrases: SHARING IS CARING, SECRETS ARE LIES, PRIVACY IS THEFT.
My immediate thoughts were that King is living in Orwell’s and Egger’s worlds and has devised his own phrases: “PARENTS ARE SPECIAL INTERESTS” “DIALOGUE IS DESTRUCTIVE” “MY MONOLOGUE IS DIALOGUE.”
He must be removed. But not to be replaced by another clone….
It’s extremely frustrating when folks underestimate or deny the existence of a parent’s volition to advocate for high quality and equitable education on behalf of their children. Anna Shah you rock!!
It’s not just John King who has to go… it’s all those who brought him to his position… beginning with the Chancellor of the NYS Regents…
. . . and the test they rode in on.
[…] Unfortunately the event is no longer on u-tube: twenty or thirty minutes into his explanatory remarks the heckling began, and increased, John was unable to continue. He later complaining of “outside agitators;” the remainder of the tour was cancelled. Read a description of the event here and my blog here and a letter from a parent at the meeting here. […]