We were looking for something that was valid and reliable . . . for something that would measure teacher effectiveness that was neutral. This measures student improvement and the value that teachers bring to student improvement.

This is more about a different way of trying to measure progress than trying to favor any group of students or schools.

Every state gets to choose their tests and to define the achievement levels required. And so states vary widely in their expectations of what students should know.

Those are the things I want to highlight.

This new measure dramatically reforms what was one of the fastest growing fiscal responsibilities for New York's property taxpayers and local governments and reverses that trend by capping the local share and providing counties with significant and immediate relief, ... We're confident that this will provide counties the opportunity to restrain spending growth and provide taxpayers property tax relief.

It was not illegal. I know they're going to measure. Why would I go out with an illegal stick? What do you think I am? Stupid?