Q&A: Superintendent on Common Core, Testing, and Being Happy

New Syosset interim Superintendent Dr. Ronald Friedman has spent his entire career spanning the gamut of education from teacher to administrator.

Born in Brooklyn, Friedman taught physics and general science at Lawrence High School in the 1970s where he pioneered a college-level physics course and later served as principal. In the 1980s, he served as Assistant Superintendent of the Hicksville School District, then as Assistant Superintendent in Long Beach, and Deputy Superintendent in Elwood. He returned to Long Beach to serve as Superintendent in 1999. Most recently, he served as Superintendent of Great Neck Schools from 2004 to 2009.

Patch sat down with Friedman to see what he thinks of his new position and where he stands on some of the issues.

What have you been doing since your retirement from Great Neck in 2009?

I went to Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations to study labor arbitration and mediation for a few years. I've also been doing consulting in districts and working on arbitration and mediation.

How will that help you?

The consulting will certainly help because I've worked in seven or eight different school districts in the past four years and you learn different things - different ways and styles of doing things - and it enhances your tool set of techniques to use. You find what works in one place might not work in another, but then you go to a third place and you try something you thought might not work and it works. 

What other skills do you bring to the district?

Probably the strongest would be 10 years of experience as a superintendent in Nassau in two large districts: Long Beach and Great Neck. There's nothing like having experience on the job to do it well. The first couple of years as a Superintendent you're really learning all the ropes, and the fact that I went to Long Beach to Great Neck was a good thing because I learned a whole different school district. Great Neck is very similar to Syosset in a lot of ways and I could learn how things work there and bring those skills over here.

You have a strong background in science and technology. Where do you stand on STEM?

I know Syosset has really put a lot of effort into the STEM programs and that's important because technology is a major skill that most people are going to need in many different areas. If you're not conversant in science and math -- in most areas -- you're going to be at a deficit. 

Where do you stand on the Common Core Learning Standards?

I have some pretty strong feelings about it. It's certainly a good thing in that we're trying to enhance how kids think. Clearly it's not good enough for people to just memorize facts, they really need to learn information; take information and data and analyze it, synthesize it, and use their intellect to really think things through on a higher plane. That's what Common Core's supposed to do. And it will do that.

What do you think about standardized testing?

I think what we have is testing in New York State that's just gotten out of hand. Instead of just giving us data, it's created a frenzy of fear in people's minds. I don't think the testing needed to be implemented the way it was, as quickly as it was. ...They're making the fence for this too far back and people are feeling they're not good enough anymore. That's not nice to do to people and not needed.

What do you think about the balance of extracurriculars and academics?

You definitely need a balance. You don't want to give up the arts, music and all the other activities that round you out as a human being. Many youngsters find their success level in those areas and feel better about themselves and become better people.

Friedman has taken over for retiring Superintendent Dr. Carole Hankin, who served the Syosset School District for over 20 years.

He said visibility and accessibility are among his main goals. You can meet him yourself at a special introductory session prior to the next board of education meeting on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Southwoods Middle School lobby.

Tell us: What do you want to ask Dr. Friedman?