Elia inherits controversy as new education chief
Cuomo reform efforts, Common Core loom among issues
ALBANY – New State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia brings decades of experience working in schools and a national perspective on reform efforts.
The state job brings continued controversy over Common Core, a bold governor with a controversial education agenda and shifting dynamics on the Board of Regents. It also brings legions of schools failing to meet state standards in cities like Buffalo that face some of the highest poverty in the nation.
New York also has one of the country’s most influential teachers unions, with a new president who has a take-no-prisoners approach, and an active movement against high-stakes testing whose leaders already are raising alarms about the new commissioner and the way she was chosen.
Elia, who has Lewiston roots and married into a well-known family in Niagara Falls, will take the helm in July at a time the state’s school system is in the midst of a number of highly controversial reform efforts, including implementation of the Common Core learning standards and revamping of a teacher evaluation system.
The former superintendent from the Tampa Bay area will play a critical role shaping those policies and influencing state laws that ultimately will set the direction of the state’s school systems.
“If people wanted an antithesis to John King, they’re not going to get it,” said Buffalo School Board President James Sampson, referring to the former state commissioner who stirred controversy with his reform efforts.
“A Western New York native, she brings with her a deep knowledge of urban education, its challenges and its successes,” added Sampson, who called her selection “good news.”
Already, Elia faces tumultuous times, as foreshadowed by her appointment, which came after a hastily called Board of Regents meeting Tuesday where she was introduced for the first time to half of its members. While the public vote was unanimous, it came after a lengthy closed-door session.
Elia, however, is no stranger to divided boards or the politics that surround education. Earlier this year she became the subject of national attention when the Hillsborough County school board in Tampa voted 4-3 to terminate her contract.
Her work in Florida already is drawing criticism from those opposed to what is characterized as the school reform movement. She served as a transition advisor to Florida Gov. Rick Scott alongside former Washington, D.C., education Chancellor Michelle Rhee. She also designed and implemented a merit pay system for teachers.
At the same time, she acknowledged flaws with Florida’s implementation of the Common Core, including inadequate training for teachers, and worked to close several for-profit charter schools.
These issues are just part of an evolution she believes is essential to make sure the nation’s education system continues to best serve students.
“We’ve been changing standards in schools since 1647,” Elia told The Buffalo News, referencing the year Massachusetts passed a law that led to the creation of the country’s public education system. “I think it’s a very important process that education goes through. It looks at what is being delivered in our classrooms by our teachers, and what needs to be delivered so Elia inherits controversy as new education chief - City & Region - The Buffalo News:
