Commissioner Whitesides: Surprise Me
The superintendents of Asheville City and Buncombe County schools shared their greatest issues with the Buncombe County Commissioners. Since COVID, the schools are seeing a higher incidence of behavioral health problems, and the achievement gap is not closing.
Blue Ridge CC Expands Early Childhood Education Program
In response to a local shortage of pre-kindergarten educators, Blue Ridge Community College will expand its Early Childhood Education (ECE) program next year thanks to a $1 million grant provided by Dogwood Health Trust. The grant funds the college’s ECE Recruiting and Success Initiative, which aims to increase pre-kindergarten options for parents in Henderson and […]
Early Childhood Education Investments Struggling
Numerous studies have shown that children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs are more likely to graduate from high school, abstain from crime, maintain employment, avoid receiving public assistance, be healthier, and be more productive than those who do not. County commissioners should already be aware of these findings.