New York Education Commissioner John King met with about 100 Long Island educators today in Dix Hills one week after highly controversial results of the new state standardized tests were released.

Grades on the new exams plunged nearly 40 percent across Nassau and Suffolk counties, angering parents and educators.

The new tests requires students to write and read more challenging texts and complete critical thinking and problem solving exercises. King emphasized to superintendents, principals and teachers that the new standards are necessary for what lies ahead.

"We all want our children to succeed in college and their careers ,and in order to accomplish that, we need to raise our expectations at every grade level," said King.

Deer Park Superintendent Eva Demyen said she agrees with the goals of the new testing, but that implementation should have been slower, grade by grade.

"It was too much too soon," said Demyen.