ALBANY, 01/20/16 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today questioned Commissioner of the New York State Education Department MaryEllen Elia at the senate education committee’s first meeting of the year.

“With so many vital education topics on the agenda for 2016, it was critical to meet with Commissioner Elia to open the first senate education committee meeting of the legislative session,” said Senator Seward.  “It is clear that since her appointment last year, she has done her homework and is already instituting constructive changes. 

“Retooling New York’s teacher evaluations system, reforming Common Core, and reducing high-stakes standardized testing are my goals and I look forward to enlisting the commissioner’s assistance in achieving real solutions.

“We need to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to support classroom teachers and help students grow and prepare to meet future challenges. A former teacher herself, I believe the commissioner understands what’s at stake.”

Following Commissioner Elia’s appointment in May 2015, Senator Seward invited her to join him for a tour of a rural school in his district.  Senator Seward repeated that invite today and is hopeful a visit can be arranged soon.

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