The Washington herald., 1907-11-07


ent Of schools, yesterday submitted 10
the legislative committee Of the board
Of education a comprehensive and ex-
haustive statement OF opinions and sug-
eestiOns for the Incorporation OF a new
school law In the District. These opin-
ions were submitted in compliance with a
request from the committee, and they
show careful thought and the working
out Of a practically new scheme Of ex-
ecutiye control and salary adjustments.
Although the statement was, in fact,
merely the opinions Of the superintend-
ent, 1t was submitted as a recommenda-
tion. and it will. in all probability, be
incorporated by the committee in its re-
port and recommendation 10 Congress. as
1t met with unanimous favor, even on
points where there has been a difference
of view in the past
1t embodies complete evolution of the
present system, and. as explained by Or.
Chancellor before the committee, will put
the schools on much improved and
modern working basis. without disad-
vantage 10 any one. 1t recommends the
adjustment of the old salary cIassifica-
uon. and classification on another
basis. nySviding for the putting of neY
teachers in the lSsaer grades. 1t also
suggests, or practically recommends. the
abolishment of the present divisions and
the Office of supervising principal. and
the establishment Of board of superin-
tendents. and many other entirely new
departures.
Finds Inconsistencies.
In the preamble DR.. Chancellor states
that, in thu operations of the present law,
he has found Inconsistencies and contra
dictions, no less than fifty in number
More important than any other defect
in the present school law" he says, lis
the omission for any provision for the
Pensioning of teachers. but l omit con-
sideration Of this. for the reason that I
understand a committee Of the board al
ready has it under advisement.
zone Of the criticisms that sought to
meet successfully is that the supervision
OF the District Of Columbia is excessive
in quantity. wrongly located. and def
cient in quality. This means that there
are too many supervisors; that they su-
pervisc on points which do not require
supervision and omit supervision where it
is required. and that the quality of their
supervision Is not such as is deserved by
ths teaching corps IN this District
q scarcely need 10 say that there are
many excellent features in the present
school law, and that am endeavoring in
this recommendation to preserve and ac-
centuate these good features.
In my judgment. a most important
feature Of this recommendation is the re-
peal OF the passage of the law which
gives the entire decision Of the promotion
OF teachers into the hands Of d single su-
pervising officer / ask you to note that.
according 90 my plan. such decision as
20 whether q teacher shall be disturbed
In salary or in position is vested. first. in
board Of superintendent, and. second.
in a board Of education.
Il have adopted. as my canon for the
construction Of a better school system
than That which prevails here. but upon
the lines Of that already begun. the prin-
viSory direction should radiate from the
office OF the superintendent Of schools.
because I believe that board Of educa-
tion cannot effectually control the schools
except through one officer This com
munication, therefore is a frank exposi-
tion of policy of Capitalization. but il
does not go 50 far in the direction OF
such Capitalization as. indeed. we might.
For example. l recognize not only the
necessity Of the separation of coIored and
white schools. but also the advisabiitv
OF some geographical divisions. 1 have
utilized the policy Of Capitalization by
bringing the normal. high, elementary.
and kindergarten schools all I'm one verti-
cal line Of supervision.
Would Reduce Expenses.
The cost of supervision for regular
and special studies in the District of Co.
lumba is slightly more than a quarter
Of a million dollars. The plan that
propose is somewhat less expensive, and
IN my Judgment. better
Dr. Chancellor's definite recommends.
ti0ns as 10 legislation were In part q,
follows:
Amend paragraph ,, section > begin.
ming no appointment and ending super
intendeut Of schools. by addition. so that
II shall be:
No appointment. promotion. donation
transfer. or dismissal Of any s1Ibordinat.
Of the superintendent of SCHOOLS shall n.
made by the board of edu,ation ex,on-
upon the xrit:en recommendation of N,
superintendent of schools. who shall carti
" that his recommendation is made nv .
majority agreement Of the board OF su
perintendents. and in the case OF all nomf
rations and promotions from one class Il
another, upon the certificate of the boar,
OF examiners. filed in the office of tn,
board OF education.
Repeal section g. paragraphs ? 4 : an,
6, as follows:
Board Of SuperintendentS.
Upon the written nomination of tn,
superintendent. the board OF education
shall appoint FOR terms OF not 10 exceed
four years in any case. seven associ.t,
superintendents. of whom five shall b.
white and aot less han one shall be ;
woman
." The superintendent and the seven as
sociate superintend, nts shall constltut,
Continued on page =. column 3.
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