The Washington times., 1903-12-15
GROWTH OF SCHOOLS
CAUSE FOR JUST PRIDE
Boards Report Makes Ex-
cellent Showing.
INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE
Compulsory Education Not Yet Prac-
ticable-Plea for Removing Age
Limit in Night Schools.

The public schools of the District of
Columbia are making steady advance
toward higher degree of excellence,
according to a report submitted to the
District Commissioners today by the
Board of Education covering the fiscal
year ended June so, 1905.
The school enrolment Increased dur
ing the year about 5000, bringing the
total enrolment up to 1915. OF this
number S2,9s7 are white and 1878 col
ored
The board expresses great satisfaction
at the high commentator of schools
as shown by the fact that they are
patronized by the President of the
United States, by a large number of
Senators and Representa- ves, and gen.
orally by the officials and employees of
the Government of all ranks"
In regard to compulsory education, the
report says:
Lack of School Rooms.
While the board has been ready for
two years past with a bill for compul-
sorry education, IL seems useless to
press its enactment while no room is
available for receiving such as a com
of school officials. Already the lack of
room necessitates more halliday
schools than should be established. al
though only such have been ordered
as would make It unnecessary to turn
away children seeking school privi-
leees."
The board is In full accord" aon-
unues the report, with the superin-
tendent in the very important matter of
arranging more elective courses in the
high schools. The records Of these
schools show that only about 8 per cent
OF high school students prepare for col
lege- The rest go Immediately from
these schools to their life work
Age Limit in Night Schools.
THE night schools present the most
pathetic feature of our organization,
ministering as they do to large class
who work through the day and give
their nights to study. Formerly these
schools were attended by many men
and women IN middle life. and not in
frequently by those with the gray hairs
Of age. It is to be hoped that Congress
can be induced to repeal the prohibition
OF an age limit of twenty-one years, by
which this class of earnest seekers az
ter knowledge is now debarred from the
schools.
THE board has had its attention d.
rected to growing strenuousness and
carelessness in influencing injury In the
football games between the schools.
While highly approaching the value of
all reasonable athletic sports. the board
win aim to sharply check all tendencies
toward the rowdyism and savagery
which characterize the play Of many of
the prominent institutions of the coun-
try.
Brutality in Football.
''The statistics of the game for the
year show a startling list of players
killed and the serious manning of many
more No self-respecting school organi-
zation should tolerate such rnanslauRh-
ter in the name of athletics, and the
board will not fail to take notice Of br,l
tality in play. and. II need be. in order
to stop it, to prohibit the game in the
schools.
School gardening made great prog
ress during the year. The board calls
special attention to the great lack of
grounds about many of the school build
ings. This necessitates the use of the
streets to a greater or less extent as
play grounds, TO the annoyance of near
residents and to the peril of the chill
dren.
Medical Inspection.
THE system of medical inspection Is
already working 10 the great advan-
tage Of the schools, and. when per-
fected, will afford most valuable protec-
ton to the whole body Of pupils, and
consequently to the families interested
in our great army of children"
The purchase OF an athletic field is
recommended The Business High and
Manual Training schools are declared to
be a credit to the District, and the
report says the fact that these two in
stitutions are crowded beyond their ca
Pacity shows with what eagerness the
youth Of the city are seeking the advan-
tages Of thoroughly practical education
both In business methods and in prep
aration for all Industrial pursuits.
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