Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to pursue an "aggressive" legislative plan to improve public education in New York, according to a pointed letter sent to Board of Regents Chancellor Meryl Tisch and outgoing Education Commissioner John King on Thursday. 

Signed by State Operations Director Jim Malatras, the letter noted that just about one third of elementary and middle school students were proficient on this year’s state exams, which it called “unacceptable.” It then asked Tisch and King how the new teacher evaluation system can be “credible” when just 1 percent of teachers get the lowest ratings.

It went on to raise 12 questions on topics ranging from teacher evaluations and certification rules to mayoral control in New York City. The letter asked the officials to respond with what they believe the best policy would be, regardless of political repercussions.

The governor told reporters Thursday he’s not looking for spin, but “honest” answers as he crafts his education reform agenda for next year.

“Tell us what we should do to fix the system and just be honest,” he said. “Just be straight. Don't give me the political filter. 'This is the right thing but the Republicans, this is the right thing but the Democrats, this is the right thing but the union.' Tell me the truth.”

In response, Tisch said the board looked forward to replying to the governor's letter. 

“The Board of Regents is enthusiastic about continuing our partnership with the governor to work in the best interests of all our students,” she said in a written statement.

Both the state and city teachers unions had plenty more to say. Karen Magee, the president of the New York State Union of Teachers called the letter "clueless," and accused the governor of listening more to anti-union special interests than to teachers or parents.

And Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, built on her theme of the governor doing the bidding of wealthy campaign supporters.

“This letter comes right out of the playbook of the hedge funders for whom education ‘reform’ has become a pet cause and who poured money into the Cuomo re-election campaign,” he said in a statement. “The governor owes these people big time, but unfortunately the children of New York will end up paying his debts.”

Cuomo said he had little power over over education policy, which is mostly set by the Board of Regents, but promised to wield influence during the budget process.