New-York tribune., 1911-03-13
OPPOSES SCHOOL CHANGES
Mayor's Plan for Smaller Board
Won't Work, Rowland Says.
HAS FAILED ELSEWHERE
Association Points Out Danger OF
Political Influence IN
School System.

Charles Il. Rowland. president OF inc
Public Education Association, sent letter
TO Mayor Gaynor Friday, in regard 10 MS
proposed change i'm the Board of Educatioh
making II a paid board. entirely under t"e
control of the Mayor. The association
through its president. said the change III
yolvcd fundamental educational fallacles.
"In your letter accepting Mr Creelmah
rosirna,ion from the Board Of Education.
Mr.. Howland wrote, "you favor radical
changes in tho city educational system
When the proposed new charter comes be-
fore tho Legislature its chance oi pdSsaee
depends upon legislative approval of the
general scheme of municipal government
A chapter so lacking in political interest as
that on education is not likely TO receiI'
Tho senarate scrutiny it deserves and needs
1t is imperative, therefore, that the Su"JeoO
receive full consideration and discussion
now"
After stating that the association favored
a much smaller board than the present De-
cause forty-six men were apt to confuse ''c
Issues and lack unity OF action, Mr.. ho"
land cited the fact that Boston. Cleveland.
indianapolis and st. Louis had changed
from a large to a small board, with marked
success.
our Investigations make us strongly op-
rosed. however" continued Mr. Howland
letter. "to a paid board. If 1t be SAID ina,
educators usually have not Independents
means. the answer is that q body whlch i
to determine general policies should not
consist Of experts. hut of laymen' me"
equipped only with common sense oroad
svn1pathies and well distributed enlghten-
ment."
Mr.. Rowland then quoted a letter received
from Mr. Snedden. now state Commissioner
Of Education Of Massa chusetts. IN whlch
he approved Of small body of laymen
who should represent the public and be
able "a reflect the demands of the public
These men, the State Commissioner said,
.hould certainly not be expected 10 be eN-
perts in the details Of educational admins
tration. The superintendent of schools ana
the associate superintendenis constitute
maid commission for administrative pur-
noses. and these mon. If rightly selected,
should know more about ;he work which
they have 10 do than any commission or
lavmen could possibly attain To in many
wears. according TO Mr. Snedden. The
State Commissioner believed that the body
Of laymen should have the important func-
ton Of approving general legislation for tho
city schools. and approving or disapprov-
ing the recommendations Of their special
lists.
Mr.. Rowland wrote. President Eliot
said 10 the commission which was prepar-
ing for the Pennsylvania legislators the
plan Of an educational system for the city
of Philadelphia that no orc should he on
the Board Of Education who has not de
monstrated his ability by success in his
own profession
But men who have haj = commanding
success in business or professions wonld
not give up their life work FOR such paid
position as membership. presumably tenn
norary. i'm the Board of Education. Such
men. as our own city's experience has
shown. may nevertheless he induced 70
serve the city in education matters with
out pay or reward.
Your proposal-that the Department Of
Education should bc a city department, re-
sponsble 10 the Mayor. like the other de-
ysrtments Involves other factors for con
sideration I'm the course oF nine years our
present independent system has markedly
advanced the standard OF training for tho
teaching profession iu this civ; all political
and ulterior considerations have been elm
mated and the sole standard for appoint
rnent has been merit and fair treatment
among competing candidates
The greater the Independence of our
school system from political institutions
tho greater will he it's efficiency. Il use
the term political only in its hest sense
IS indicating those questions on which
sides may he taken and PARTIES may and
do vote) How much more harmful viii be
tho haser political Influences
Experiments in education have been
tried in cities tho country over; why pay
second price for the experience that each
Of them has gathered Actual test in
number of cases has shown what is the
hest educational system. and we should
have the best. Why should New York city
react toward the system which has failed
elsewhere"