ALBANY – Concerned about recent controversies over spiraling dropout rates and tough state graduating standards, state lawmakers are planning a series of hearings this fall, The Post has learned.
Until now, legislators, while perhaps expressing concerns, have been content to sit on the sidelines and leave matters in the hands of the Board of Regents, which sets statewide educational policy.
But Assembly Education Committee Chairman Steven Sanders (D-Manhattan) said that with dropout rates rising, there have been enough questions raised over the direction of the state’s education system to warrant a legislative review.
Sanders and Senate Education Committee Chairman John “Randy” Kuhl (R-Steuben) said the hearings will be held jointly by both houses.
“Obviously there’s been problems,” Sanders said. “This is a very good point to see what the high-stakes exams have done, what the ramifications have been, and the problems and benefits.”