Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today voted against a measure that would institute minor reforms and, instead, offered the APPLE Plan he helped author as an amendment. Based on the recommendations of the true stakeholders in our children’s education, parents and educators, heard during the course of 11 statewide hearings Ra conducted, the APPLE Plan would provide the substantive reforms necessary to end the high-stakes testing and climate of fear surrounding our education system. While his amendment failed in a 43-80 vote, Ra promises to continue pushing the APPLE Plan until our children receive the changes to Common Core they need.

“The measure brought to the Assembly floor fails to meet the needs of our children and educators,” said Ra. “It fails to put an end to the high-stakes testing that has caused student and teacher anxiety, and it again leaves our special-needs children behind, causing them to lose any forward progress in their education. It is unacceptable.

“I’ve heard firsthand, during the 11 statewide hearings I held, the needs of our parents, students and teachers. The bill put forth today does not address their concerns well enough. Simply put, the APPLE Plan does, and I’m proud to have presented it before the full Assembly today. Even though it failed as an amendment today, I promise to keep pushing for the education reform our children and educators have asked for and deserve.”

For a detailed breakdown of the public forums and the APPLE Plan, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfPsrpOVUKo.