New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-15
Writ Explains Process in
Vocational Training
for Boyhood.
DOING REAL WORK
IS BEST, HE SAYS
Has Lads Get Jobs as Helpers
to Actual Workmen Engaged
on Educational Buildings.
BY HENRIETTA RODMAN.

ny hE.SHlE i n hODuhN.
Every time you want higher posi-
ton In the public schools you take an
examination in the history Of educa-
ton. Having passed three or four
times in this subject, feel qualified
to judge William Writ, superintendent
Of schools in Gary, Ind. VINO is now
remaking our elementary schools.
believe that he is one Of the very
greatest educators that the schools
have ever produced and that only our
Characteristic unwillingness to recog-
nize superiority among our contempt
raries prevents the general recogni-
ton OF his genius.
How do you teach vocations TO
children in the elementary schools ,"
| asked him. and Mr.. Writ replied:
"You might as we'll try to teach
children to swim without water as to
try TO teach them TO work without real
work to do. The child must not only
have a place to work In, tools to work
with and master workman to direct
his work, but there must be real work
to do, and 1t must be done under the
normal lnOuStrlal CONDITIONS.
"The school repair and construction
work should be done as far as posi-
BILE when the children are in school.
By association all children will learn
something OF the industrial activities
involved in such work.
1.-THE manual training teacher may
ask his boys II they would like to
know what the work Of real carpenter
10 ka hay
want to be carpenters. They are told
that carpenter will come to the school
on certain day TO do certain work
about the building
1.-TWO or three boys may be selected
20 secure job with this carpenter as
helpers. These particular boys direct
~, and the entire class indirectly, now
need instruction as to the right way
to apply for a job.
"When they begin work they keep a
record Of what they have learned each
day by observation, asking questions
and direct experience. When they re-
turn to the manual training class be-
cause the work Is finished or they give
up their jobs TO other boys, the car
renters trade is discussed from every
standpoint.
"The same programme ~ followed
with the school plumber. cablnetmaker
electrician, heating man, steamfitter,
sheet metal worker, painter and deco
rator, plasterer, cement man, mason,
glazer. etc. Intelligence concerning
trade activities is developed by work
ing with real workmen on real work
and studying each trade in system
attic way. The reports made in the
manual training shop may be present
cd in the auditorium by the boys and
by the workmen themselves.
"The building department will find it
advantageous TO establish workshops in
a central location for a group Of
schools Later it will be found that a
foundry, forge shop, machine shop and
pattern shop will add to the efficiency
Of the department from the standpoint
Of getting the work done. SO the edI-
cational opportunities can be expanded
by every increase in efficiency in ham
ding this school repair and construc-
ton work.
"One week OF two hours a day on a
real job with real workman is worth
more from the standpoint of vocational
guidance than two or three hours a
day every day in the year in an arti-
fetal shop working on artificial work
and under artificial conditions, even
though 9 master workman is in charge.
"The habit formed in school .. Sc
curing Jobs under the direction of the
manual training teacher is continued
whom the child leaves the school
When out Of work he should return 70
school for part time or full time until
he secures another job. The wage
earning child should fee free TO dis
I'M bor
at all times his ambitions, obstacles
and progress in industry.
"The most effective means of keeping
children in school is to provide real
work corresponding 10 life expe. fences
along with school instruction so that
they may learn why they should re
main in school. Such life experiences
should begin for all children in the
primary grades and continue th cough
out the entire school course.
educational training in the ele-
mentary school means 70 me efficiency
in all present school departments for
al children, from the kindergarten
through the high school"
MADAM: | think | can save Mr.
Lewis the trouble of replying 20 x
Y. rs question az to the S2000000
diverted from the teachers retirement
fund
"The Legislature enacted the retire
ment law for teachers, and it pro-
vided that all pay. compensation, etc
deducted or withheld for any cause
from members Of the teaching staff
shall be turned into the retirement
fund.
"The bylaw Of the Board Of Educa-
ton permitting refunds for teachers
absences Is not a provision Of the re
tirement law. Since 1894 the Board OF
Education has authorized the payment
Of more than 100000 from the re
tirement fund for carrying out this
bylaw.
81 am in full sympathy with refund
ing absence deductions, but the Board
Of Education should find the money for
such refunds in some way which does
not violate law enacted by the state
and exhaust the retirement fund.
"A. B. c."