Evening journal., 1915-09-02
THURSDAY SEPT. 2. 1915
comMuNIrY ewes AND OUR SCHOOLS.

VIZ have in the Wilmington High School splendid
w Civics Department Il has been built up by Miss
Elisabeth Carlisle. Of the most prominent and
popular members Of the faculty. She has thrown her
heart and soul into the work and produced results
that are highly gratifying and beneficial
Those constrain to call particular attention
10 bulletin community ciyics that has been pre-
pared by four members Of the committee social
studies OF the National Education Association They
Dr. D. Lynn Barnard OF the School of Pedagogy
Philadelphia; f. W. Carrier, principal OF the Will
mington Nass] High School; Arthur w. Dunn, ape-
oialst IN civic education who is in the employ Of the
United States Bureau OF Education and Clarence d.
kingsley Of the Massachusetts Board OF Education
The bulletin is regarded being Of such value that t
is being issued By the Federal Government
The four educational experts say that the sgnin-
canoe Of the term community clvcs" does not lie in
It's geographical implications but applies this point Of
view to the national community well. Emphasis is
laid upon the local community because It IS the
with which every chld-ctzen has most intimate rela
tons and for that e Is easier for him to enter
into actual cooperation with It,
The authors OF the bulletin make clear that the term
"citzenship' Is used broadly The good citizen they
say person who habitually conducts himself with
proper regard for the welfare of the community of
which he is member. and Is active and Intelligent In
his cooperation with his fellow members that end.
Community civics according to the bulletin, should
be taught in the elementary grades of the public
schools and should be continued in more comprehen-
Fye course in the FIRST year of the high school Many
pupils do not enter high school at all and those who
do should already have begun acquire habits of civic
thought end action The greater maturity Of the high
school pupil makes possible the development Of phases
Of the subject impractcable in the elementary
school"
Many in civios fall the authors think. "be-
they FIX attention upon the machinery Of govern
ment rather than the elements Of community well
for which government exists They familarze the
pupil with the manipulation Of the social machinery
without showing him the Importance Of the social ends
for which this machinery exists lesson in commu-
pupil sense Of his responsibility. and results in
right action To attain these ends is perhaps the most
diicun and delicate task Of the teacher"
Much civic instruction. declares the bulletin "has
been ineffective because has left the pupil to work
out for himself the application of general principles.
The translation principles conduct is more dhi-
cult than the comprehension of the principles them
selves While urge that the citizens should engage
in these activities far opportunity offers it is
necessary to cultivate motive sufficiently strong to
lead him actually to do This motive to be found
in the common interest which includes his interest al
least until such time ideal altrusm may lead to
the placing Of the interest OF others and Of the com
munity above the interest OF SELF
There is much in the bulletin that could be made ia
apply benehcally to our school system here in Will
mington. Coming as it does from Of such promi-
nenoe who declare that community ciycs help the
child to know the meaning of his community life not
merely lot Of facts about it, it should be taken ser
oualy and applied locally by educators.