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 […]
Month: May 2008
SDL’s Press Release re Cheating Scandal
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 […]
Wickersham Elementary at Center of PSSA Cheating Investigation
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 […]
SDL members accused of cheating on PSSA Tests
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 […]
County Morgue Location Still Not Certain
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 […]
Remembering Jack Craver
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 […]
Convention Center Design Flawed
The basic design of the convention hall barn roof guarantees terrible acoustics and lighting, with its exposed beams and utilities. (Compare the video simulation presentation to what is actually in place, the reality is much worse than the artist’s rendering). To make matters worse, only 2/3 of the convention hall will be in the barn, […]
Lancaster Drug Court: Something to feel proud about!
If ever there would be a Drug Court that would be successful, a visit last Tuesday to the Court of Judge David L. Ashworth convinced an activist in the field of drug policy reform and harm reduction that the program is located here in Lancaster. Judge David L. Ashworth has the clean cut look of […]
Stockyard site would have been better
Among my early observations was that the Convention Center should NEVER be built adjoining a residential neighborhood, particularly (in the case of Lancaster) in an area which contributes greatly to the crime stats. Ah, the Stockyard site would have been so much better. Editor’s note: Best of all would have been to have upgraded the […]
July Sunday News Article “Propaganda”
I unexpectedly stumbled onto some extremely significant information regarding a past Sunday News propaganda piece supporting the hotel and convention center project. On Sunday, July 22, 2006, the Lancaster Sunday News printed an article titled “Sun shines bright on KY city” and sub-titled “Lancaster’s effort for a convention center mirrored in Covington”. This article went […]
NEW ERA
NEW ERA, May 24, published a letter stating “…we learned that the (Lancaster) school district had approved a lucrative contract with the new school superintendent that includes $800,000 in wages…” WATCHDOG: We admire the Lancaster Newspapers’ willingness to include letters representing a wide variety of opinions, but the New Era editor errs by not at […]
KUDOS
WATCHDOG: Kudos to the editors of The Lancaster Post for their May 23rd edition. It is an example of constructive, responsible journalism. May this set a precedent for future editions. The Post can be read in its entirety at www.LancasterPost.com. Once one gets the hang of how the web site works, it is as easy […]
Controversial Conestoga Halfway House Set to Move
By George Sheldon Barnabas House, the faith-based halfway house in Conestoga, is planning to move. Just established within the past month, the transitional housing facility provides a temporary home for four men, three of whom are on Megan’s List. “We’ve already been offered another property that is on a bus route,” Tom Armstrong said. For […]
Intelligencer Journal
The May 23rd editorial “Second Chances” asks “…where should society house former sex offenders who have served their time in jail?” After carefully tip toeing down both sides of the issue of where former sex offenders should be housed, the Intell concludes: “The first order of business must be to protect our children. But there […]