The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-07-14
Every Child
Becomes a Citizen.

iren for the responsibilities of citi-
zenship is described in bulletin just
issued by the U. S. Bureau Of Educa-
ton on "Civic Education in Element
airy Schools as illustrated in India
napoIis."
"The practice in the indianapolis
schools" says Arthur w. Dunn, auth
or Of the bulletin, els to help the
pupil to understand the nature Of his
own community life, his dependence
upon it, and his responsibility for it;
to develop a right attitude toward
government as the means by which
all members of the community may
cooperate for the common interest;
and to cultivate habits OF right ac-
ton as a member of the community"
The bulletin emphasizes the fact
that "civics is not taught as a sep
arate subject until the eighth grade,
but that civic education is phase
of all the work of the school. The
aim seems to be to make of education,
not a process Of instruction in va
riety of subjects, but a process of
growth, during which the various re-
lations of life are unfolded."
Incidentally it is pointed out that
"there is no subject OF ethics or
moral education in the Indianapolis
schools, but the direct moral train
ling afforded by the course here OUT
lined is peculiarly virile. So, also,
while there is no attempt to give d.
rect vocation training in the strict
sense of this term, Eor even any or
gsnized form of vocational guidaate.'
neverti. 3less the fact is always taken
into account that the cis:zec must
BE- {. worker and the worker a citi-
yep."
instruction through the course OF
strd:- is, however, only part of the
training Tor citizenship given in these
sehocls. can understanding of com
l-unity life anil of government" de-
clares Mr.. Dunn, "is sruitlcss with
= cut the cultivation IF qualities anc
: HABITS of good citizenship. Instruc
ton q; d training must go hand il
hand The latter is largely matter
} of practice" Pupil participation j.
4 school management is y very rea
= thing Il Indianapolis, and in SOM
schools i is carried 70 high degree
o. effectiveness. 1t manifests itsel
IN the ~ .hod of preraE'rs aid son
4 pa. 1sSss~sS1s
. rights Of younger children; in maiil
tainiag the sanitary coaG;ttms Of III
! building and grounds; in beautify
ing col grounds; in the making O
repairs and equipmcnG for "ou
schools" in fat. in every aspect o
the &. col life.
:. In Indianapolis pupil participation
in the government of the school lead
: naturally into pupil participation il
. the larger civic life of the communit,
Of which the school itself is part
Maintaining order on the playgroun,
naturally extends to maintaining or
Ger on the streets in the vicinity o
the school. It is common for com
mirtets cf older boys to look afte
: tic safety of younger children il
crossing streets near the school. So
J Et:tude for the cleanliness and beau
! IS Of school grounds develops equa
sclicitude for the cleanliness AM
tea,.ty of adjoining streets, alleys
: and vacant lots. School gardenini
] quickly stimulates home gardening
and whole neighborhoods have bee,
!. transformed through the influence o.
the schools.
= Whether the children who are nov
undergoing this training for citizen
ship will in reality be efficient citizens
10 or 20 years hence can not be fore
tot't, according to Mr.. Dunn. But h,
s adds: There is apparently ampl,
evidence that they are better citizen.
= now; and, moreover, that the presen
civic life of the city is sppreciabl,
affected by it. Where immediate re
suits are so apparent and SO far
reaching, the effect upon future citi
zenship should certainly be appreci
!, able"