Letter: To save public education, Senate must reject DeVos
To The Editor,
When describing public education in America our President-Elect Donald Trump compared our schools to third world countries. To fix the education system at a national level, he has chosen Betsy DeVos as education secretary.
The former leader of the Michigan Republican Party, DeVos’ only contribution to education policy has been advocating for school vouchers and charter schools. Conservatives...
Letter: Kampf has focused on education
To the Editor:
I want my elected leaders to focus on the issues that are important to me, and no issue is more important than education. State Representative Warren Kampf clearly has made this his priority too.
This year again, Warren Kampf supported a bipartisan budget that set a new record for the state’s commitment to education funding. I said “again” because he has actually voted for...
School boards should take a look at ending private retreats
Even the perception that decisions are made behind closed doors is bad
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times
Like most boards of education in Chester County, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District board has held regular “retreats” — informal sessions where information is discussed and at times, the future direction of the district is discussed.
A district resident, Mark Stookey, has questioned...
County Cup wins national recognition
Representatives from the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) joined Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell in accepting the National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for Employment and Training at NACo’s annual conference in Long Beach, California. Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Jacalyn Auris and Mr. R. Scot Semple from the CCIU, County Commissioner Terence...
Truitt bill to encourage IT, computer students signed into law
State Rep. Dan Truitt (R-156)
Careers in computer science and information technology usually pay good wages while offering excellent benefits. Unfortunately, courses in these fields often don’t count toward high school graduation requirements, leaving Pennsylvania’s students at a disadvantage when competing for jobs or applying for college to major in these areas.
That’s about to change, thanks...
Was your dentist there?
Continuing education allows your dentist and their staff to stay up to date
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Two weeks ago I attended the 30th annual Greater Philadelphia Valley Forge Dental Conference. This annual meeting of the dental community is primarily focused on continuing education. As a member of the organizing committee I had a chance to speak with dentists, vendors...
Local congressmen applaud passage of bipartisan education bill
Expected to be signed by Pres. Obama, law would return local control to states
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Chester County Congressmen Pat Meehan (Left, R-7) and Ryan Costello (Right, R-6) backed revisions to federal education laws, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week.
Two Chester County Congressman praised the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives, Wednesday, of legislation...
UCF board member questions teacher tech education courses
Officials update progress of Patton renovations, other projects
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – The agenda for the Unionville Chadds Ford School Board’s work session on Monday night went rather quickly but board member Keith Knauss added a statement that was not included in the agenda regarding courses being taken by teachers that he felt were unnecessary and fall into...
Op/Ed: The cost disease in K-12 public education
What every school board director, school administrator, teacher, staff member, parent, and taxpayer needs to know
By Michael T. Rock[1], Samuel and Etta Wexler Professor of Economic History, Bryn Mawr College
Michael T. Rock
Every year school Boards in Pennsylvania like mine, the Unionville Chadds Ford School District, grapple with how to set next year’s school district budget. Historically, annual...
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...
