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....
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,...
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...
Are we ‘prepping’ our kids for too much stress?
A few thoughts on navigating today’s increased anxiety-filled world
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
As a teen in the 1980’s, the terms “prep, prepper, and preppy” evoke strong memories of a serious fashion statement: Tretorn tennis shoes, gravity-defying, up-turned collars, going sockless and the syrupy scent of Ralph Lauren’s Lauren perfume. The above was often tied...
Letter: DA’s back pre-K to fight crime
To The Editor,
The passage of the 2014-15 state budget included an important funding increase for future crime prevention – a $10 million increase for PA Pre-K Counts.
What does Pre-K have to do with crime prevention?
Considering that approximately 70 percent of our nation’s state prison population failed to receive a high school diploma, education is a pivotal factor between incarceration...
Letter: candidate opposes Keystone graduation requirement
To The Editor:
I oppose the effort to make the Keystone exams the deciding factor in a student’s graduation from High School. One test cannot accurately evaluate an individual students abilities or efforts throughout their K-12 education. Students show their abilities and skills in many ways and a single exam path to graduation narrows an individual’s path toward success.
The time spent instructing...
Letter: Looting horsemen no way to pay for schools
To The Editor,
My background is that of an ‘Army Brat” who traveled the world — Turkey, France, Okinawa — with relatives in England, Australia, and New Zealand. My grandfather in England used to call his bookie and enjoy making small bets from home and take me to the race courses in the 1950s. I love horses and always have from riding carriage horses in Turkey to now...
