Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, says she believes low scores statewide on Common Core exams show the standardized testing system is in dire need of overhaul.

“Although I’m in favor of higher standards, the Common Core implementation was so rushed that using it as a measure of our students’ achievement or our teachers’ ability is inappropriate,” Russell said. “With such poorly crafted tests and high opt-out rates I’m not confident these results are giving us any reliable or usable data.”

Only one in three students statewide received “proficient” scores on the Common Core tests, as determined by the standards maintained by the SED.

In Russell’s 116th District, Massena had about a 39.5 proficiency rate, and Ogdensburg students scored at 27 percent.

Canton Central students averaged 45.1 and Potsdam Central students averaged 44.3, well above the one-in-three state average.

Earlier in the summer the state rejected a contract with the British-owned Pearson Education company that was developing state exams - including those given this spring. They’ve been replaced by the Minnesota-based Questar Assessment, Inc., in a move hailed by Russell as a victory for the state.

"With Pearson rightly losing the contract with New York State, I'm excited by the opportunity to develop a relationship with a new company that may be better able to adapt to the needs of our students," Russell said. "I will work with my colleagues in the state legislature and with the Board of Regents to ensure adequate oversight and to continue to push for appropriate testing, not more testing."

This spring Russell pushed to install Morristown-resident and life-long educator Beverly L. Ouderkirk to the state Board of Regents - the body responsible for overseeing the state’s education system. With Ouderkirk’s experience, Russell says she “is confident she (Ouderkirk) will be a voice of reason advocating for students and teachers as the board moves to correct the Common Core’s implementation.”