In a global economy in which businesses here in New York are competing with the best of the best from around the world, when success depends on knowledge and critical thinking, higher educational standards are crucial. As a state, and as a nation, we are at a defining moment. Too often, our students leave school lacking the skills and education to succeed, weakening our ability to produce a workforce that is fully prepared to compete for the future.
New York must continue its support for the Common Core Learning Standards at the heart of the state test results that were released last week. The understandable shock following the anticipated results — only about a third of students statewide passed the math or English language arts test — has led some to say that New York should slow down implementation of Common Core and related initiatives.
I, along with a group of more than 40 business leaders who sent an open letter to policymakers to continue implementing Common Core, say rigorous academic standards are essential to creating a highly educated workforce and ensuring New York's long-term economic competitiveness. The signatories to the letter, are CEOs and senior executives, representing a range of companies from GE and IBM to businesses—such as Dynamic Applications in Troy. They recognize Common Core's importance to New York's students.
As with any major transition, New York's path to raising student achievement will require hard work. As those of us in the education reform sector have long argued, and as I have heard from business leaders around the state, the need to raise college- and career-readiness in K-12 education is urgent.
If we want to create critically thinking learners on which our economic future depends, then New York must continue moving forward with Common Core.
Elizabeth Ling is a director of Education Reform Now.