Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-15
PROVOKES COM MENT
VIEWS OF SCHOOL sUPERINTEND-
ENT's VISIT SOUTH.

Superintendent Chancellor's proposal to
spend a month In the south visiting COL
ored schools and colleges has caused much
comment on the part of the Washington
teachers. some Of whom frankly declare
that there is important work for the SUI
perintendent to do here at home before he
goes outside for educational hints. In this
connection 1t is stated that thus far the
new superintendent has done practically
no school visiting He has, during the
past fortnight, been engaged in inspecting
school buildings with the Engineer Com
missioner of the District, and the super
vising architect Of the treasury, these
three having been directed by the new
school law to investigate the building con-
ditions and prepare report on the project
OF consolidating the schools in larger
structures.
These visits of DR.. Chancellor, 1t is un-
derstood, have in no degree been OF an
educational character, and there are many
teachers in the District who have not yet
seen their new chief officer, and have had
no educational instruction or advice from
him whatsoever. The superintendent has
held receptions at the Franklin building,
which have been attended by some hun
dreds Of the teachers, and he has appeared
at the Central and M street high schools
and addressed the teachers who there as
sembled on broad questions relating to his
school administration. But of the close
range relationship between teacher and SUI
perintendent which the local school work.
ers have enjoyed In the past, there has
been up to the present time. IL Is repre-
sented, practically none whatever, and the
teachers are wondering whether the new
superintendent regards his official relations
with them as fully established.
Another matter of concern to the teach
ers, which the proposed southern tour OF
inspection has emphasized, Is the present
total lack Of a course of study for the
guidance Of individual teachers in all grades
Of the school work. This situation is some
what peculiar and calls for explanation.
Under what Is generally known as the
"Powell's regime" there was course OF
study. Much of the criticism of Mr.. Pow
ellis administration of the schools was d.
rected at this course and the manner in
which 1t was carried out. When Congress
practically ordered reformation of local
school arrangements in 1900 the new super
intendent and his assistants recognized the
necessity of a change in the course OF study
and provisional, temporary schedule of
courses and studies was thrown together to
were printed for the immediate guidance
OF teachers.
Fruitless Efforts.
From time to time thereafter efforts were
made to secure the preparation of per-
manent course of study, but without sue
cess. and the stock OF printed Instructions
to teachers was soon exhausted. For sew
eral years applications from the teachers
for this reform of instruction have ELECTED
the response that there was no course Of
study in print.
It was confidently expected that the new
educational head Of the schools would
tackle this question promptly upon assum-
ing his charge. but up to date he has. It IL
said, done nothing beyond the instruction
of certain Of his subordinates to prepare q
provisional course In geography, to be later
approved by him. Thus 1t IL now set
forth by many of the teachers that the su-
perintendent's departure from Washington
to study outside schools for colored children
leaves the entire District system in an un-
| fortunate plight as regards the educational
| fundaments.
This lack of personal access to the SUI
perintendent and of comprehensive educa-
| tional instructions throws the teachers into
vague and uncertain frame of mind 1t Is
said, and there Is today less conference OF
| working method than ever before in the
schools. It is for this reason that the an
nouncement that the superintendent plans
| to spend month during the middle of the
school year away from the city has sur
| prised the teachers and caused them to
/ fear that they will continue to serve in
darkness and doubt, without guidance. They
are at present unable to secure advice from
/ headquarters, the assistant superintendent
| being busily engaged in clerical work al