Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-14
BOARD Of EDUCATION
Brief but EventfuI Meeting Held
Late Yesterday.
PUPILS OF NORMAL SCHOOL
Recommendation by Superintendent
for Examinations.
CHARGES AGAINST A. U. CRAIG
Dates for the Commencement Exer cises
Appointments and Promotions
Leave of Absence Granted.

Leave of Absence Granted.
At a brief but eventful meeting of the
board of education late yesterday after
noon in the Franklin school, several matters
Of unusual interest to the teachers and
pupils of the public school system were
presented by Superintendent Chancellor.
That which has aroused the most comment
was a recommendation that normal school
pupils be given an examination to count
one-half in their rating on the eligible lists
for appointment as teachers. This change if
it is made, will completely revolutionize the
normal school system, it is claimed by the
teachers of that school, who, one and all.
are strongly opposed to the proposition. Ac-
ton taken by the board to institute an in
vestigation of charges against Arthur U.
Craig, a teacher of the Armstrong Manual
Training School, and sharp tilt between
Mrs. Terrell and Dr. Chancellor were
among the other features of the meeting.
Superintendent Chancellors recommended
ton in regard to examinations for normal
school pupils was not acted upon at the
meeting. 1t was referred, on motion of Capt.
Oyster, to the committee on high and nor
NAL schools, with instructions to report at
the next meeting There was discussion
of the proposed change at the meeting.
Text Of Recommendation.
The recommendation is as follows:
There is general dissatisfaction among
perents and students with the annual eligi-
bic lists of the graduates of Normal School
No. 2. The motive lies in the fact that
there are more graduates than we employ
in the District. There is no dissatisfaction in
the case of Normal School No. 1, because
we do employ within year all the grad
yates. At the same time l disposed to
question the principle of leaving to the fac
ulty of public normal school the entire
question as to whether a normal school stu
cent Snail receive diploma which is vir-
tually certificate to teach, and under our
laws and rules a direct claim upon the
board. as the agent of the government and
the subordinate question as to what order
graduates shall be granted positions, if at
all.
TO remedy this situation and as a means
of discovering the real conditions of both
normal schools. l recommend that the board
of education direct the boards of examiners
Tor white and colored schools, respectively,
TO examine the senior classes, in writing
and orally, to prepare the eligible lists
taxing the faculty records as cne-half in the
determination of rank and to report NOT
later than May - as to the general condi-
tons of the respective schools"
In spite of the fact that there was no
discussion OF the plan, every member of
the board was aware of the interest which
attached to it and of the storm it had
aroused among the teachers, pupils and
parents Practically every member of the
board had been approached by teachers and
parents since yesterday morning, when the
rumor spread and the earnest plea of all
was that the measure be defeated in the
board.
Turns Out Fine Teachers.
1t was claimed by those who talked to
board members that the normal school of
this city is built upon a plan that has been
gradually developed through the experience
of years, and that today it turns out as
fine teachers any in the country It is
entirely contrary. it claimed, to the !
underlying the school that there
should be any examinations, or any cram
ming for examinations. On the other hand !
the girls are taught by direct contact with
the pupils in the model grades and are in |
fact regarded as experienced teachers when |
they receive their diplomas That their
rank should depend largely upon marks |
they might make in final examination, |
the normal school teachers hold to be an |
entirely erroneous idea and a misconcep- |
ton of the purpose and underlying principle !
which has made the local normal school so |
successful.
The committee on high and normal |
schools, to which the matter has been re- |
ferred. is composed of Prof. Everman Mrs |
Hill, DR.. Atwood and Mrs Terrell.
Charges Against Teacher Craig.
The charges which We're preferred by DR.. |
Chancellor against Arthur L. Craig teach |
er at the Armstrong Manual Training
School, alleged persistent attacks on the
character of his superior and his colleagues
and also of incompetency and insubordina-
ton. The matter was briefly discussed,
and the sentiment of the board was in favor
Of thorough investigation. The commit
tee on teachers and janitors, to which the
recommendation was referred, was instruct
ed to report at the next meeting The
f,,--
he said. upon recommendation to him by
Principal w. B. Evans of the Armstrong
Manual Training School.
Upon recommendation of Principal Evans
and also of w. T. S. Jackson, principal of
the M Street High School, the following
changes were recommended by the superin-
tendent, affecting the Armstrong and the |
NJ Street schools:
Transfer James M. Carter from Arm |
strong to M Street, with same salary;
transfer Nancy F. Brown from M Street to
Armstrong, at same salary; transfer w. B.
Hartgrove from Armstrong to M Street at |
same salary; transfer Georgianna R. Simp-
son from M Street to Armstrong at same
salary; transfer Mary Vromwell from Arm
strong to M Street, at same salary; transfer
Marie E. Hillmon from M Street to Arm
strong, at same salary.
Opposed to Changes.
Mrs. Terrell strenuously opposed the |
changes in the NJ Street High School on the
and that their wishes should
De given some weight Superintendent |
Chancellor defended his recommendation on |
he ground Of the good of the service.
Were you ever school teacher?' Mrs.
Terrell asked of the superintendent
Most certainly DIR. Chancellor replied. |
We'll, then, can't you see how a teacher
night prefer one school to another?'
YES"
And If you were changed abruptly from
one school to another without any regard
+or your own feelings, would you not feel
rs If you had been unjustly treated?"
mo, I would not"
Then all I have to say is that YOU are
very peculiarly constructed mentally, spir-
tually and every other way Mrs. Terrell
Mr.. Cook, the only other colored member
IF the board present, upheld DR.. Chancellor.
and the measure was passed with only Mrs.
rerrells vote in the negative.
Appointments Announced.
The board made the following appoint
nents:
Miss Harriet Snow. as teacher of the Sec