New York State Education Commissioner John King is expected to draw a large crowd at Wednesday's Common Core forum at Mineola High School.
The meeting will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. Sen. Jack Martins will moderate the discussion. Wednesday's education roundtable is the second of four scheduled on Long Island.
King came face to face with angry parents and educators at Tuesday's two-hour forum at Ward Melville High School. A total of 36 speakers - comprised of parents, teachers and administrators - shared reasons why they believe the new education mandates should be remediated.
One New York State educator stole the show when she told King that psychologists are actually diagnosing children with "Common Core Syndrome" related directly to work they are doing in the classroom. "If that's not child abuse I don't know what is," she said to rousing applause.
She told Sen. John Flanagan, who organized Tuesday's meeting, that she appreciated him listening but wasn't sure he was actually hearing.
"Because you've awoken the mommies, you're in trouble," she said. "Hundreds of thousands of mommies are going to fill out this form and they are going to have their children refuse to take the test."
Commissioner King stood his ground, telling the packed crowd of approximately 1,200 people that the state's education department remains committed to the work on Common Core.
“I take very seriously the feedback given and we will continue to make adjustments but I want to be very clear the work on the Common Core is about the work that will ensure their success,” he said. “We are committed to the success to the Common Core.”
The commissioner may face similar criticism tonight.
Several Garden City school district representatives will be in Mineola, including superintendent of schools Dr. Robert Feirsen, though he is not speaking.
Those not attending Wednesday's meeting can watch it live here.
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