Evening journal., 1915-03-20
DR.. CLAXTON FAVORS
VOCATIONAL Study
National Commissioner Says
Every Boy and Girl Should
Have Equal Chance
MUST HAVE THE BEST
TEACHERS TO BE HAD

T
Teachers Association an interesting
address on the Democracy Of Educa-
tion" was delivered in the auditorium
OF the High School by Dr. Philander
p. Claxton, United States Commits
sioner Of Education, last night The
meeting was largely attended. there
being present in addition TO practi-
cally all the members of the assOcia-
ton a large number of others inter-
csted in educational matters. includ-
/ ing members of the Board Of Educa-
tlon.
Previous to the address the High
School Orchestra. under the direction
of John Thoms. played four selec-
tions. Seated on the stage with Dr.
Claxton were Dean Winifred J. Rob
ins0n OF the Womens College of Del
aware: Miss Clara Mendinhall, presi-
dent OF the Primary Teachers Asso-
citation: Miss Mary Z. Rich, also Of
Women's College of Delaware Clit-
ford J. Scott. superintendent of VIII
mington Schools. and DR.. Charles A.
Wagner, State commissioner of Edu-
cation. Mr.. Scott presided and intro
duced DR. ClaXton. Mr. Scott spoke
of him as man who had reached the
apex of educational interests, and add
ed that Wilmington should indeed feel
honOred TO have him here.
Or. ClaXton began his address by
explaining just what he meant by
democracy of the public schools, de-
claring il TO mean the equality of op-
portunity. which could only be at
tanned by equality of education.
"What Is this democracy OF educa-
tion ?" asked Dr. Claxton. "Well,
have found it to mean an equality Of
opportunity, which can only be
brought about through an equality of
education. If some can have a High
School course. then il should be such
that all can have It. One of the big
gest problems of the present day.
however. Is this giving to all our boys
and girls an equal amount OF educa-
ton. Ii is an age of democracy.
There are three kinds of education,
however, to which / would like to call
your attention. One prepares the
child for real manhood and real wOm-
anhood another prepares for the
duties and responsibilities of citizen
ship for men and women alike; the
third Is an education that provides
that everyone can make living in his
own way and so contribute TO the
general good
DR.. Claxton declared that the
schools must awaken that force in
the children that will make them de-
sire to give back 10 the world as
much as they receive, that they musi
be taught the fundamental principles
! OF government " good citizens are tC
+ be made and also that every boy anc
| girl must be taught to overcome the
instincts of the body and taught how
TO live well and humanely
Education will develop the humane
side.' said Dr. ClaXton. There is no
good in the world but human good ,
there is nothing worth while but the
happiness of serving humanity. This
democracy demands that we give our
best"
IN speaking of the teachers, DR..
ClaXtun said: "The teacher is the
school and we must have the best
that can be had. The cities are re-
mote mountain places and here LET
me point out that the country schools
should be as good as the city schools
All schools should be alike in quality
The highest function of democracy is
the selection of its teachers. All
teachers should be high school gradu-
ates and have two or three years OF
4 normal school training.
, FayOrs Compulsory Education.
Compulsory education" declared
, DR.. Claxton. lis a good thing. 1t is
, minor crime to steal horse com.
pared to keeping a child out Of school
Democracy must have compulsory
D school laws and all boys and girls
should be sent to school regardless.
OF economic and industrial condl
tions.
"The time has come" continued IN,
speaker. when all the schools mus
q be vocational: when they must bl
j readjusted and courses differentiated.
4 Dr. ClaNton spoke OF the bread an'
butter" courses and the pic crust
, courses. and also advocated manua
training.
~ .hope7 said Dr. ClaNton. "that a
agriculture course can be established j
4. the schools here IN the near future. le
the children use their back yards. th
back lots, all the open spaces, In fac
end not only would they be benefited b
filling their lungs with Gods fresh al
hut they could help considerably in ti
q family need hv selling the vegetable
. and flowers that could be raised
I'm speaking of the continuatic
schools. Dr. ClaNton declared them TO
q an excellent means oi niIordmg an edi
I cation TO hundreds. Through the csta
4 lishment of these schools. hundreds
n BOYS and girls are able 60 keep on worl
N ing and yet at the same time recei'
/ their education.
+ "Those schools worl, well in mal
! places" said Dr. ClaNton. sand the en-
a Dloyers as well as the children declare
4 favor of them. The employers say th
m the change from work to school max
Is better workers while the children fe
" benefited by the change themselves"
IS Concerning the maintenance Of ii
10 schools. DIR. Claxton touched bl
he briefly. saying that It was not rigl
TO tax ali the people that only son
would get an education.
Il do not think you have any rigl
TO tax all the people to give a fe
sh a high school education" said
r. CLAYTON. because Il should be so tn
ed every boy and girl should be able
n have "A high school education"
an conclusion. DR.. Claxton suggest
d. that the courses be divided into 3
as years OF elementary work and 8
Iut years OF high school work. He al
suggested that the teachers be pr
" moted from grade TO grade.
Mpnrrr TAREN nv puccrANc