On Wednesday, NewsLanc broke the story that the Pennsylvania Department of Education received complaints in early April about the School District of Lancaster’s administration of PSSA tests.

According to Mike Race, Deputy Press Secretary of the Department of Education, “Test documents were not properly secured and the test was not administered within proper guidelines.”

The Department has directed the SDL to investigate the matter and report back with their findings. The State requires the District to complete their investigation within 45 days.

In 2007, the number of students at Wickersham Elementary School that scored proficient in reading dropped from 50 percent to 48.5 percent. Scoring below 50 percent resulted in the school now being on a warning status. It has not been disclosed whether the investigation is limited to scores only for 2007.

Wickersham had apparently met “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) academic targets on the PSSA in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. A banner hangs above the main entrance proclaiming the previous academic achievements. Meeting AYP requirements fall under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

In response to NewsLanc’s request on Tuesday to interview Acting Superintendent Stephen Iovino, a short press release was issued to Lancaster media on Wednesday, May 28, which is posted below. The afternoon New Era covered the story in today’s edition.

The SDL describes the occurence as a “personnel” matter as its reason for refusing to discuss details. This implies that one or more administrator and /or faculty member is suspected of falsifying scores for at least 2007. Despite several attempts by phone and in person, NewsLanc’s reporter George Sheldon was not able to reach school principal, Dr. Bernard X. James Sr., to inquire if he is under suspicion.

Wickersham Elementary School is located just south of McCaskey High School at 401 N. Reservoir Street.

“Sidewalk superintendents” can catch their first view of the interior of the Convention Center at http://newslanc.com/images/100_5070.JPG . No hard hats required!

Although NewsLanc was born of the Convention Center controversy and has been outspoken in its opposition to the project, our goal is to fill a news and commentary vacuum resulting from the virtual monopoly of the local press. Nevertheless, we find it far more rewarding to praise what is right than to criticize what is wrong.

Our revelation this week of possible falsification of PSSA scores at a local elementary school by officials is done with sadness. Our president has had three children pass through and one attends the School District of Lancaster. We swell with pride and are fast to praise SDL achievements.

Yet it is apparent to us that Superintendent Designate Pedro Rivera will face almost insurmountable problems of incompetence, dysfunction and neglect on the part of certain individuals at various levels of the administration, from headquarters down to the elementary school level.

Over the past few weeks, we have reported and commented upon several important stories significantly before the Lancaster print media. Some stories have gone unreported elsewhere.

It is our hope and expectation that seeing NewsLanc scoop them will influence the business side of the Lancaster Newspapers to stop selective reporting that promotes its general business interests, and instead allow a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to informing the public.

My heart and soul do not see daylight at the end of this tunnel due to all the infrastructure problems now and in the near future for the city.

The mention of a Trolley is absolutely crazy when we need parking closer to the convention center. We are a lazy society, nobody wants to walk or carry bags any further than necessary. Consider airports as an example: People would rather pay more to park closer to the terminal.

The remodeling of the Amtrak Station and the cost of gas may increase usage of trains to come here but to hop a trolley car with bags to check into the Convention Center and Marriott Hotel is not going to float. What is so wrong with regular buses that are more mobile than a trolley and cost far less? Perhaps have a porter on board to assist the passenger, one who will wear a uniform, work for a minimum wage plus tips, and have a personality.

I would not stay at the Days Inn behind the train station nor the Travel Lodge. Accommodations close to price point, security and comfort of this new Marriott start at the Eden.

The convention center project is in the worst location one could have picked. We need to concentrate on cleaning up the streets and crime in at least a two block radius, open this complex, and hope people will patronize on a regular basis.

Lancaster County and the City are very unique. We cannot be compared to or copy other cities that are trying to attract dollars; we need to enjoy and appreciate who we are and what we have.

Over the past two days, NewsLanc has been investigating alleged cheating at the Wickersham Elementary School on PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Achievement) tests which are required under the federal “No Child Left Behind law.” The tip stated that questions had been raised in the past over test scores for the school that seemed much higher than conditions would have suggested.

In response, NewsLanc reporter George Sheldon on Tuesday contacted Kelly Burkholder, Coordinator of Community Relations of the School District of Lancaster and requested an in-person interview with Acting Superintendent Stephen Iovino, Ed.D., “about PSSA test cheating at the school district.”

Burkholder called back later and stated that she had passed on the information and request to Iovino and he said he would call back that evening. There was no call.

Subsequently E-mails request for an interview were sent to Iovino at 7:30 AM and again 11:00 AM.

Iovino responded via E-mail at ll:30 AM that “Kelly Burkholder will provide you with a press release (see below) this afternoon.”

Dr. Bernard X. James Sr. is the principal of the Wickersham School.

From: Dr. Stephen A. Iovino, Ed. D. Acting Superintendent

The School District of Lancaster follows Pennsylvania Department of Education testing requirements to investigate all incidents of possible PSSA testing protocol violations and to submit a comprehensive report to Pennsylvania Department of Education officials. Possible test protocol violations involving a small number of students were investigated within the school district. The results of any investigations are a personnel matter and cannot be shared with the public.

Any investigation or actions taken by the District will be done to ensure the integrity of the PSSA testing program is in the best interests of staff, students, parents and the community.

Two parents of children in the School District of Lancaster confirmed to NewsLanc that the Pennsylvania Department of Education sent investigators into Wickersham Elementary School because of the student test scores reported. Both parents, fearing retaliation against their students, asked not to be identified.

“The AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) scores have been too far out of the lines,” one parent said. “It has set off alarm bells. The scores are just not believable.”

The website of Wickersham Elementary School boasts about their AYP: “We made AYP in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006! Diligence, hard work, and accountability have paid off. We have been student-centered and as a result, our scores have gone up.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Education would neither confirm nor deny that they have sent their investigators to Wickersham Elementary School.

Members of the School District of Lancaster have been accused of cheating on the PSSA tests, NewsLanc has learned. The PSSA tests are part of the “No Child Left Behind Program.”

Information that NewsLanc has been trying to confirm with the SDL centered on the unusually high scores achieved over past years at the Wickersham elementary school.

Despite repeated contacts for an in-person interview, Dr. Stephen Iovino, Assistant Superintendent of the School District of Lancaster, has thus far declined NewLanc’s request.

Only after NewsLanc’s persistent and repeated requests, a one-line e-mail message from Dr. Iovino was received informing us that a press release would be issued sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Michael Race, Deputy Press Secretary, of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, confirmed that the School District of Lancaster is under investigation for alleged cheating on the PSSA tests.

Race said two complaints had been received by the Department of Education in early April about the School District of Lancaster’s administration of the PSSA test. Race confirmed that the Department has directed the School District of Lancaster to investigate the matter and report to the Department with their findings. The Department requires the District to complete their investigation within 45 days.

NewsLanc will update the story as more information becomes available.

It became clear during their Tuesday Work Session that the commissioners do not want to start a rezoning process on the property on Farmingdale Road until they are certain that they will be using that property.

When the time came for comments from those in attendance, Bill Bonanno of Ralpho Township took the Commissioners to task again for not moving forward with the county morgue project.

“I’d rather be thoughtful than rush,” Commissioner Lehman replied. “This is the time to be thoughtful.”

Routine business by the Commissioners included funding from a federal allocation of the county’s first Community Homeless Advisor, who will be employed by the United Way of Lancaster.

The exact number of homeless in the county is not known, but could range up to 1,000 people.

I attended the service for Jack Craver today and learned so many wonderful things about the life of this outstanding individual.

The man could sing! He could do the N.Y. Times Sunday crossword puzzle in under a half hour when challenged, and so many more delightful aspects.

Several members of his family spoke of a strong, influential man who guided them to adulthood and a career path.

I am glad he spent a bit of his expertise with the people of Lancaster.