Whether you have a child or grandchild attending a New York State public school, are a teacher, or are simply a concerned citizen, you have no doubt heard of the controversy surrounding the implementation of new learning standards known as Common Core.

My office has been flooded with correspondence on this matter, and I have spent a great deal of time attending various public forums devoted to this issue. The senate education committee, of which I am a member, also conducted five hearings across the state, gathering extensive testimony from a broad cross-section of educational stakeholders. Now, a new report, with recommendations for change has been released.

First, some background. Common Core Learning Standards were adopted in New York by the Board of Regents in 2010. In the 2012-13 academic year, the State Education Department began aligning curriculum and assessments to the implementation of these new learning standards in all grades, Pre-K through 12. The implementation has been flawed and a significant subject of controversy and criticism for parents, teachers and administrators.

The senate education committee was the first official body to hold public hearings to allow stakeholders to express their concerns and offer recommendations for making improvements. The five hearings produced over thirty hours of testimony, 115 witnesses and close to 1000 pages of written testimony which were all included as part of the official record.