Statement From Raia on the Secret Selection of Education Commissioner

Raia

“The past few years have been tumultuous for education in New York, and with all of the problems we’ve seen from lack of school funding, over-testing, and Common Core, the Board of Regents’ recent decision to appoint MaryEllen Elia as the new Education Commissioner was probably one of the most important decisions in recent memory. Unfortunately, her selection highlights the exact problems plaguing New York’s education system.

“Her full support of the failed Common Core system and the fact that she was fired from her old position as Hillsborough County Florida school superintendent does not exactly instill confidence. Perhaps most upsetting of all, however, is that we are only learning about her credentials and background after her appointment was confirmed by the Board of Regents. The process by which she was handed this position of great power is one veiled in secrecy. The parents, teachers, principals and administrators of Long Island should have had a say in this appointment.”