Governor Chris Christie has appointed Jersey City Schools Superintendent Dr. Marcia Lyles to a commission focused on education testing, an issue which has become a national controversy as education reform policies begin to take shape.

According to a report in The Record, the commission, which includes teachers and school chiefs, will look at the redundancy of tests, their impact on students and school instruction, and possible ways to consolidate testing. It will also review the use of the Common Core standards on which the new state tests are based.

In an in-depth interview with Hudson County View prior to the school year, Dr. Lyles spoke at length about Common Core State Standards and PARCC assessments:

[fve]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYTegD5AR-E[/fve]

“The good doctor should get her affairs in order, in her own house, before giving time at the state level,” Jersey City Education Association President Ron Greco told Hudson County View regarding the appointment.

“This is something Christie should appoint Cathy Coyle to do, and take her out of the schools, all together … I would think [Dr. Lyles] priority would be the Jersey City public schools, not Christie’s PARRC committee.”

Calls and emails seeking comment regarding the appointment and criticism to Lyles’ office were not returned.