John King: Common Core has positive aspects

State Education Commissioner John King said Tuesday that the state's controversial Common Core education standards do need some tweaking — but added there are also positive aspects to the tests.

In the face of opponents who say Common Core is failing teachers and students, King said he has seen enthusiastic students and teachers during more than 40 school visits across the state. He discussed the standards with state Board of Regents members Wade S. Norwood and T. Andrew Brown during a live forum at WXXI Studios.

"I think Common Core is resulting in a lot of good work ... I am very optimistic, actually, about what I see in classrooms," he said.

King said changes in testing options for special needs students, in Spanish language assessments and the phasing out of dual math exams for accelerated students, are some changes being considered.

The appearance came less than two weeks after a panel of state Assembly members heard more than two hours of complaints from area teachers, parents and school administrators who said the tests are unnecessary.

GMCLENDN@DemocratandChronicle.com