Is it time to look at the role of standardized tests in schools?
Also: if teacher unions demand raises, they should say what to cut from education programs to pay for it
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The rising tide against Common Core continues to obscure a growing, but still under discussed debate about the value and quality of standardized testing in our schools.
While it seems increasingly likely that a passing grade on the Keystone tests will not end up...
Op/Ed: 21st century medical innovation
By Ryan Costello, U.S. Rep., Sixth Congressional District
Ryan Costello
Creating a new locally developed heart valve, finding a personalized cure to an individual’s battle with arthritis, or even breakthroughs in the mapping of the human genome – these are medical modernizations that American scientists and researchers are developing daily. We have seen medical advancements accelerate over the...
Op/Ed: Does high-stakes testing improve education?
By Michael T. Rock, Director, Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education
Michael T. Rock
As the debate on No Child Left Behind and the Common Core heat up and as Pennsylvania’s school districts gear up for implementation of the Keystone exit exams it is time to take stock of what we know about the impact of high stakes testing. Supporters see tests as a way to close the gap in performance between...
Letter: Knauss gets it wrong
To The Editor,
Once again, Keith Knauss gets it wrong.
At the May 18 School Board meeting, Mr. Knauss stated that the Teachers’ Association is proposing an 4.6% increase in “payroll” each year, as compared to the 2.1% being offered by the Board.
Check it out yourself on the Board Video, at time marker 1:35:35. http://youtu.be/Vh4-P1hNDEs
The documents given to me by the Board...
Letter: What does Keith Knauss really want?
To The Editor,
In a recent Unionville Chadds-Ford Board meeting, Director Keith Knauss advocated for stalling the negotiations process so that the contract with UCF teachers expires and goes into status quo.
Watch the video of Mr. Knauss’s comments here.
By entering status quo, the teachers would not receive any salary increases thereby, in Mr. Knauss’s mind, save the District money. At the same...
What’s that smell? Not manure, but District Justice races
Primary battles have gotten childish and turn off voters
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ah primary season. Like the odor of manure from the mushroom houses, you can smell the stupid wafting on the spring breeze.
And while most of the primaries will likely be either anti-climatic — with Democrats winning Democratic nominations and Republicans (or the much-maligned and increasingly endangered RINO)...
Op/Ed: Helping our female veterans
By Ryan Costello, U.S. Rep., Sixth Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6)
May provides us with a unique opportunity to honor both our veterans (Military Appreciation Month) and the women who are very special to us (Mother’s Day). Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans and our mothers, and I wanted to update you on my efforts to help our female veterans. Female veterans...
Letter: Backs Morley for justice
To The Editor,
As a current West Grove Borough Councilman, as well as a former Republican Committeeman, I am supporting Nicole Morley for Magisterial District Judge. I am impressed with many of the unique qualities she brings to this position. Notably, Nicole was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Chester County Republican Committee.
Send article as PDF ...
Letter: Hoffman cites reasons to run for Kennett supervisor
To The Editor:
In the last four years, there’s been a big change in the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors. Over two elections, voters soundly ousted an ‘old guard’ that ran the township and elected Scudder Stevens and Richard Leff who are committed to transparency and accountability. Since then, the Township checkbook has been put online, a professional audit has been conducted,...
Saving the Post Office
Handcuffed by Congress, Postal Service faces a murky future
By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times
I’ve always been a fan of the post office. I enjoy getting the mail out of the letterbox attached to my house six days a week; I like knowing that a mail carrier is walking around my neighborhood and going to people’s doors without asking for subscriptions or conversions. I enjoy taking...
