The Washington times., 1915-03-19
|Women Urge Vocational Training
!For Children in Capitals Schools
School System Said TO Be
Out of Touch With Ever
Changing Conditions.

Investigated for the pupils benefit"
There should be one psychologist, one
cniic psychologist, on every board OF
education" said Miss Elizabeth Timlow
president of the Cloverside School
school officials do not seem to realize
that the child mind is harder to train
than that Of the older child. II they do
they do not act on that knowledge. In
my own school those teachers who dea
with very young children receive more
pay than other instructors, and the
same should be true Of public schools
Instead. inexperienced teachers often
are placed In charge of the small chill
dren to work their way up to teachins
older ones. Experienced teachers should
be conserved for the very young chill
dren."
Draws Comparison.
Mrs. Birney drew a comparison OF
boys and girls who come out of schools
unpreparcd for any vocation. and 20
about meredly looking for "a job" with
those who are trained for some particu-
lar vocation.
Mrs. Smallwood cited as the proper
spirit I'm a teacher one who, when asked
whether he was teaching Latin. replied
No, l am teaching boys and girls."
Mrs. ELLIS Logan presented figures OF
canvass she had made among various
classes Of persons regarding vocational
education.
Il talked to 212 young wome nbehind
couhters in stores" she stated, "and
each said she was there because she
knew of nothing else she could do. or
2n men the world considers successful,
an told me they would be thankful. II
they had TO live their life over again.
Tor an opportunity for definite voca
tional education.
Women Unanimously for H.
'Of 5o2 women, housekeepers, profes.
siona! and society women, have talked
to. all expressed the strongest approval
or vocational education. I sneak for the
DlstTlct Federation of Women's Clubs
comprising about 900 women. Indiyiduai
CLUBS, without a, dissenting vote have
voted favorably on this proposition for
Nocational training In our schools. The
matter will be brought up before our
next meeting for a vote that will repre-
sent every one of these 1000 women I
have no doubt but that it will pass"
Dr. Cora Smith King said vocational
training was the best preventive of
nervous breakdown complained of so
frequently among children. Such ner-
Nous troubles, she said, demanded more
work. not more idleness under the name
of rest, in their treatment.
Henry p. Blair. president of the
Board of Education, thanked the speak.
ers. and said the hands of the board
were tied in many respects. He said
there were statutory obstacles to be
overcome even in the mild beginnings
of an attempt toward vocational educa
ton at the Smailwood School, but
hoped these would be overcome.
Among those who spoke for vocational
training were:
Mrs. A. A. Birney a national officer
Of the Mothers Congress- Mrs. Anna B.
sloane, a native of Sweden. who has
studied vocational methods there and
applied them in this country: Mrs.
George 7; Smallwood, principal Of Wash
inston Seminary, representing 1000
members of the d. A. r.; William III .
saunders, OF the Columbia Heights Citi-
zens' Association; DR.. Cora Smith King,
Of the National Council OF Women
voters: Mrs. Nanette b. Paul president
OF Paul Institute: Mrs. Ellis Logan.
president of the District Federation OF
Women,s Clubs; Mrs william Hardy,
president of the Home and School Asso,
citation OF the Seventh Division: Mrs.
Lyman kebler. president of the Parents
League Of the Third Division: Miss
Elizabeth Timlow. of the Cloverside
school. and DR.. Lyman f. Kebler. chief
OF the drug division, Department Of
Agriculture.