First of series of hearings on controversial Common Core testing held at Suffolk Community College

Parents and educators testified in front of state lawmakers today at a hearing in Brentwood about Common Core testing.

The state Education Department defended the Common Core standards, which are now being phased in by New York and 44 other states.

After the state Education Department released the results of the standardized math and English tests, the number of students considered "proficient" plunged to 31 percent.

There are still three more hearings set for next month across the state. The last one will be in New York City.