“The number one problem with all of this is the APPR system,” she said. “The curriculum now is test driven. You can’t tell teachers not to prepare their students for tests and then have that as the only evaluation for testing. The system is just setting up teachers and students for failure.”

Common Core curriculum standards are not structured properly to be effective, said panelist Dr. Carol Burris, principal of South Side High School in Rockville Centre. “Common Core was developed by David Coleman and Student Achievement Partners,” Burris said. “They used a backward design. It’s too specific and pedagogical, created only with testing in mind. There’s no regard to child developmental research.”
Student information databases like inBloom are a concern for many, including Rudley.

“When I started looking into inBloom, I learned that third-party vendors can get a hold of this data,” Rudley said. “Data mining is important, but when sensitive data about your child is being shared without your parental consent, there’s something wrong with that.”

Another forum is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the American Legion Hall in Seaford, 2301 Penatiquit Ave.

“It is necessary to get the word out to the community about what is happening in the schools,” Marcus said.