New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-27
Committee Writes Declar-
alton and May Seek
Endorsement.
CHURCHILL FAVORS
SCHOOL DEMOCRACY
DR.. Taylor States Views on
Need for Wirt's Work
in Bronx.
By HENRIETTA RODMAN.


of which DR.. David H. Holmes is chair
man, has written a teachers declara-
ton of independence. If it is accepted
by the league, it will probably be pre-
scented to all of the other teachers or
CARNATIONS of the city for Endorsement.
The declaration says in part:
Il. The Teachers League exists to
promote the welfare Of teachers and
pupils in the public schools. 1t recog-
nizes and seeks to establish the equal
Importance of physical, intellectual and
moral development.
"2. 1t stands for democracy in the
administration of the schools, as OPP
posed to autocracy, and therefore re.
pudiates the military conception OF
public school organization and the con-
sequent relationship of superiority and
subordination among school people.
"3. 1t stands for democracy of OPP
portunity for the child, and therefore
believes in elasticity of syllabus re-
ouirements and of class organization
in order to secure the complete adapta-
ton of subject matter and method to
the varying capacities and needs OF
children.
81. IL favors the institution of school
councils in the individual schools on
the most democratic basis, with view
to encouraging among the teachers the
development of individuality, initiative
interest and power, that teachers may
be not merely hearers, but doors also
IS. 1t favOrs a purely democratic
form of eecting by secret ballot the
members of the Teachers Council on a
basis of schools instead of on a basis
of organizations.
IS. 1t stands for the abolition of the
rating of teachers as being unprotes-
sonal and tending TO sycophancy
favoritism and injustice. 1t believes
that the standards for professional
ethics, efficiency and discipline should
be derived from the teachers them
selves and enforced by the teachers
themselves through agencies and means
of their own creation.
~. 1t believes that equal pay once
accepted as a sound economic and So
cial principle, must be lived up to con.
sistently and without compromise, and
that this principle not only confers
equal privileges, but imposes equal bur
dens and responsibilities, social as well
as professional.
IS. The Teachers League stands for
ten months work for ten months pay
and believes that there are no just
grounds upon which teachers can be
expected to work longer hours in the
day or more days in the week or more
weeks in the year without proper
/ tionate increase in their compensation
The growing popularity OF democ
racy in the public schools is apparent
Mr.. Churchill says he is in favor OF
giving representatives of the teachers
a voice in determining the policies oil
the Board of Education. He believes
too, that it may soon be possible to
have charges against teachers tried by
Jury of teachers. Mr.. Churchill says
also that it is time that loose talk
about the schools should cease.
superintendent Taylor has made a
fine, brave statement OF what ne be-
lieves TO be the need for Mr.. Wirt's
work in the Bronx schools, for which
Dr. Taylor is responsible.
THE Gary school," says DR.. Taylor
makes industrial activity part oil
the daily school programme, and thus
the child grows up in an atmosphere
OF real life. The boy becomes accus-
/ toned in school to overalls and solled
hands. He finds that work in trades
is interesting, and applies the prob
lens which his theoretical studies
/ bring to his attention. He studies sci
/ cnce in laboratories and acquires the
habit and technique of original lnves-
/ tigation. This experience cures his
egotism and cocksureness and trains
/ him early to look for facts as a basis
of judgment.
THE thoroughly democratic spirit OF
the work and discipline is another feat
ure that commends the Gary plan to
me. The child is orderly. but not sup
pressed. His initiative and capacity fol
leadership have abundant opportunity
for development. Groups of smaller
children are in charge of larger chill
dren in some of the schools activities
Self-directiOn is the aim and outcome
/ of the discipline and organization.
THE larger opportunity for play un.
der expert supervision Is another feat
ure that appeals 70 me. The city viii
never be able to provide enough parks
and Fairgrounds 10 permit all the chil
dren TO play at the same time. The
Gary plan proposes to have One-slXth
of the children play at one time. anC
/ to use the school playground all the
/ time. Enough money may be saved by
| the device of having two schools in one
/ building to purchase Fairgrounds OF
sufficient size in connection with every
/ schoolhouse. In this way play may be
provided for all the children of the
+ city, and the necessity for having chill
dren play on the street will disap
pear.
There is one condition attached tC
this Endorsement: am unwilling tC
put any school on the Gary programme
until the necessary studios, labora
tories and shops shall have been pro
vided. Public School 4j has a Gary
programme, but Is still without proper
equipment, and it is manifestly unfair
to expect a principal 10 do the work Of
a Gary school so long as the school /.
without the Gary equipment"
Child Welfare will be discussed al
! the De Witt Clinton High School thi: