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By Kathleen Carey, Delco Times Lou Mahlman wants to change the odds. Twenty percent of 11th-graders were below basic math and reading last year in Delaware County school districts, the executive director of the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce said, adding that only three school districts in the county had fewer than 10 percent below basic. With 5,000 students graduating from the 15 school districts each year, that means 1,000 are below proficient in basic math and reading. "How do you make a decent living when you start that far behind?" Mahlman asked rhetorically. He added, "We didn't get this situation overnight. But we need help." The foundation itself was the recipient of a $183,000 grant after applying to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont, according to Mahlman. For Sestak, that funding accompanied a $500,000 grant for the Upper Darby Gateway Project to revitalize Market Street with a 310-space parking garage and a $170,000 appropriation for the Delaware County Community College for its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics complex. The congressman said various business leaders have reiterated the need for a skilled work force. With a focus on that development and improvement of quality of life, Sestak said he worked for this funding for the foundation. "It was meant to be a synergistic approach," he said. "Something that is tied together." Mahlman said he faces the job ahead as a four-pronged effort to help students have an idea what a career is. "They deserve to be prepared," he said. First, Mahlman said he wants to expand the communication infrastructure between education and business to create a job-readiness guide. It would outline any type of job enhancement training from literacy to a Delaware County Community College technical degree. It would specify the classes, where they are and how much they cost. Second, Mahlman said he wants to have a countywide approach. Some districts have already expressed support. He said Chester Upland Superintendent Gregory Thornton asked him to refresh the educational summit he coordinated when he served with the United Way of Southeast Delaware County. Mahlman said he's having discussions with Upper Darby to host a summit there. "We're just doing different stuff just to raise everybody's odds," he said. Next, Mahlman said he wants to create mentor programs between students and the business community. He said former Springfield High School Principal Bridget Kelly approached him and suggested mentoring a class, rather than one kid. Basically, the business representative would adopt a homeroom in Delaware County and visit once a week for 20 minutes to talk about job skills, resume writing and how to dress. Mahlman said dynamic students would get this information anyway, but quiet kids who might not speak up have the opportunity to be engaged by the conversation. Finally, Mahlman said he wants to establish a summer internship program, although the details, such as paid or volunteer, have yet to be determined. "It's an all-exposure kind of thing," Mahlman said. "It gives them an idea. Information is power. It might be a 'Eureka!' moment." He said the goal is to create an infrastructure where schools and businesses work together so they understand the skill sets businesses need. Mahlman gave the example of Crozer-Chester Medical Center and how it transformed the second floor of the Smedley Middle School into a health-career academy. "It looks like a hospital," he said, adding that it helps Crozer groom future employees and it also gives these students these desirable skills. His hope is to change the tide for Delaware County students, as he said he thinks perhaps in three years, the county could have only 500 students below proficiency while readying them for what is ahead. "I think the educational challenge in the 21st century is to prepare our children to be versatile enough," he said. Those interested in mentoring a classroom in job readiness skills once a week are asked to contact Lou Mahlman at (610) 565-3677 or at loum@delcochamber.org.  |
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 Chamber Newsletter: Business Connections UPCOMING EVENTS 9/14/2010 Tuesday 3:30 PM Membership Orientation Sponsored by Sphere 9/16/2010 Thursday 5:00 PM Business After Hours @ Penn State Brandywine 9/23/2010 Thursday 5:30 PM DCYP Mortgage Seminar 9/28/2010 Tuesday 11:30 AM Knowledge @ Noon - Knowledge is Power: Is it Safe to Get Back in the Water?
IN THE NEWS
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