The governor's State of the State address was received with mixed emotions by those in education. Cuomo spent several minutes talking about his plans to improve the state's public schools. Our Katie Gibas tells us about those proposals and the reason for the mixed response.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Most people can agree there's something missing when it comes to public education in New York State.

"We spend more than any state in the country. The lack of focus on the achievement and the students have brought us to a point, where we're 38 in graduation rates," said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.

That's why Cuomo tackled the issue in his State of the State address Wednesday. He led off his talks about education calling himself the lobbyist for students.

"I learned that everyone in education has a lobbyist. I am not kidding. Superintendents, they have a lobbyist. Principals, they have a lobbyist. Teachers have a lobbyist. School boards also have a lobbyist. The maintenance personnel, they have lobbyists. Even the bus drivers have lobbyists. The only group without lobbyists are the students," said Cuomo.

He comment inflamed many of those in education, particularly after his budget last year cut state aid to schools, which caused districts across the state to cut a variety of arts, sports and college prep programs and more than 11,000 teaching positions.

"The governor's total disregard for parents and students as being long-time advocates for public education is appalling," said Nikki Jones, the Alliance for Quality Education Communications Director.

But the reaction to Cuomo's education proposals weren't all negative. He proposed implementing a new, more effective teacher evaluation system and creating a New Blueprint for Education Commission to come up with an overhaul plan for the state's public education system.

The Statewide School Finance Consortium responded in a statement, saying, "While the governor did not directly address our primary concern -- the inequitable distribution of financial resources for all children in New York's schools, it is clear that the governor -- like our organization -- is committed to taking a forward look at how public education can be more effective in fulfilling its vital responsibilities."

Others were a bit more skeptical of the governor's proposals.

"The proof will be in his budget. If the budget includes the board of regents proposal to prioritize high needs districts, that will be the proof. The state of the state typically sets the tone. The budget is the blueprint, and then we have our negotiations and our final budget. And we're more than open, as the parents and students all around the state are to work with the governor," said Jones.

Those in education say they're eagerly anticipating the governor's budget to see if he lives up to his promises.