Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-01
CONDITION OF THE COLOREO
kCB00IiS.
Report efthe Special Examining Com
mittee Appointed by the


: The following is the report Of the special com
mittee appointed by Gov. Shepherd to examine
the cordition of the coored public schools or the
District of Columbia:
wAsHINsroS, d. c., Oct. 81. 1873.
; H,H. -fle<dHder r. SAepheTd Governor If ne Dis
! SIR:-ln compliance with your request o,
/ Septt mber 9Th, that we would g act as a com
1 mittee to make an examination of the present
condition and management OF the colOred
Schools, and favor you with a report of the inn
! pr.ssIons derived therefrOm," the Indersi gnei
| respectfully report that they have attended 70
/ the d1ty assigned them.
The committee organized shortly after III cir
I appointment by electiDg Mr.. W. Il. Woodward
chairman, and Mr.. o. X. Harris secretary. The
committee visited the Sumner school bHiIdina
| on Friday, October 10th, ana there met the SUI
perintf ndent, Mr.. Cook, and all the teachers,
who had been called together in regular
monthly meeting, and thus had an opportunity
OF hearing detailed statement of the opera
lions of the schools for the month of September.
FROM this statement Ii appears that there are
over eco pupils attending the colOred schools,
and that there are - teachers Qncluding special
teaehers) in the employ of the board of trustees.
We also ON that occasion met the trustees of
Parke, and the treasurer, MI. Stewart. These
gentlemen not only gave us free access TO all
their records and papers, but also cheerfully
furnished Us with such documents and statistic
as we're desired.
Sub-com Rittees were subsequently, appointed
nom among our own number, ami to each was
assigned a certain number of SCHOOLS. BY this
course all Of the cOiOred schools in the cities OF
Washington and Georgetown were visited and
all matters relating to them were carefully in
CURED into. In our visits we we're afforded
every facility by school officers and teachers
They did NOT attempt to disguise or hide any
thing, but invited our attention to their records
and papers, and promptly answered all ques-
tons relative TO the management and condition
OF the schools. As the result of our examination
and investigation, we respectfully beg leave to
submit the Following:
mn.
in number, are with few exceptions well adapt
ed for educational purposes. and were found to
be IN neat and cleanly condition, and TO afford
ample accommodation for all applicants. The
school furniture is Of the latest and most APP
proved pattern.
I'd. The teachers generally are well fitted for
their positions, and we are glad to note that
majority of them are Wash ngtOnians-severa
OF them having been educated in the public
cOlored schools here. They seemed to under
stand and appreciate the Importance OF disci-
pline, and as consequence good order was OBJ
served in nearly every school-room.
Sd. The salary list of teachers and employees
was carefully examined, and In the Judgment
Of your committee the salaries are just and rea-
sonable.
4th. The committee think a most wonderful
work has been accomplished by those in charge
OF the schools; but one great obstacle-and one,
too, which cannot be remedied at once-is the
collection Of children OF all ages from TO 10
years, in the same school room. This is owing
10 the condition in which the colored people
were lOuIu uuItDg the tate war. The COngre-
CATION in one school room of children whose
ages differ widely, necessarily prevents 50 great
progress as would be otherwise manifested
5'h. There has been a disposition to advance
pupils into studies which they not qualified TO
pursue, and to place them in schools for which
they have not been fitted by previous training.
This can he remedied by modifying the course
OF study, and by avoiding any attempt to ac-
cOmplIsh too much. In the course of a few
years when, through a systematic education
pupils can be classified more nearly in accord
ance with their ages as well a. their mental &C
quiTe mems, the course of study might be en-
laTged, and III material would then be found in
their grammar and high schools. The present
superintendent and board of trustees ha--
ready inaugurated movement 10 curtaII -.
studies and expenses of the high school sHe
80 doing they show an intelligent anu IN
of their duties, and deserve ,.ppLycIAQon
sc ~ uV W. &c find that the colered
are embarrassed by debt, the bulk of
which was increased by former boards OF trus-
tees. There has also been some extravaganza
IN furnishing, 1--WE have no reference here to
necessary school fuTniture,) but for this the
present board Is in nOwise responsible. On the
contrary, We believe that they have made every
effort to reduce expenses, and to conduct the
schools on the most economical principles
After full consideration or the whole matter,
the impressions that we have derived from our
examination are that the colOred schools of the
cities OF Washington and Georgetown are in
good condition ana well managed, and that the
Board of Trustees and other school officers are
conscientious ami efficient in the discharge of
their duties, and are Justly entitled to the con-
fdence OF the community.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
[SiRnedl-W. X. Woodward, o. X. Harris j.
-. Wilson, +. ID. Stuart, A. Hart, j. NJ. Wilson,
\. j. Faust, r. +. French, committee.