Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-13
8oard Head Reports Increasing
Congestion, Despite Addition
of Buildings
WANTS JUNIOR DIVISIONS
Would Have Elementary and High
ssifications-Dick Tells of
Construction Worker

this afternoon.
After pointing out the seriousness of the
nnancial problem, both officials urge rigid
economy and the curtailment Of expendi-
lures wherever possible
AT first thought II would seem as IL
the income of the Board of Education from
taxation would meet the current obliga-
tions much more easily than 1t did ten
years ago." says Mr. Edmundss report
s"This would be the case II the proportion
Of the population of the city attending
school always remained the same; II the
type and methods of education never
changed; IL the salaries OF teachers and
other employees never varied; II the mate
riAls used for educational purposes were
constant in price: II the buildings never
varied In type nor in the cost of materials
and labor; II no new interests were served
by the school system; II, In brief, educa-
tional conditions remained static
The report of Mr.. Edmunds points out
that the enrolment In the high schools is
Increasing to a greater extent than that in
The elementary grades. This is due largely
10 the fact, in the opinion of the president,
that parents now appreciate more than ever
the money value of education. Fewer pupils
are retarded than formerly in the lower
grades SO that fewer children quit school
because of diacoura cement at their own un-
proficiency Mr.. Edmunds feels that in
creased efficiency in the city's teaching corps
is the cause Of the latter condition.
COSTS PER PUPIL
Mr. Edmundss message to the Board OF
Education contains some interesting statis-
tfos It shows, for instance, that the cost
OF instructing a pupil in the elementary
schools is about sS3 in the high schools
800. kindergarten instruction Is the cheap
est form of all, and in the last ten years
the number of kindergarten pupils has in
creased but thirteen per cent, while in
every other department of the public school
nRvatapn Increase the same period has
been far larger.
In the trade schools, where the instruc-
tfon costs even more than In the high
schools The growth of the enrolment In
the last decade is shown to have been 723
per cent. Since the president of the board
presented his last annual report manual
training has been introduced in every ele-
mentary grade.
To the 'part-time" problem is devoted a
large portion of Mr.. Edmunds's message.
He deplores the inability of the Board OF
Education to provide a seat in the schools
for every child of school age and insists
that something must be done to correct this
evil.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
As one means of meeting the problem
he suggests the establishment of junior
high schools. These institutions represent
the most recent development in the edu-
eational world and have been put into OPP
eration successfully in many of the west
orn cities. II the Junior high schools are
organised, however. the present grading
eystem in the public schools of this city
will be necessarily overthrown. 1t is Mr..
Edmunds's plan to have six grades in the
elementary schools instead or eight, as at
present He would devote three years to
''junior high schools" and three years TO
~senior high schools" The Junior insti-
tutions would be housed in buildings now
used exclusively by the elementary classes
Children under the proposed system would
attend school for as many years totally
as at present, but the grading system would
be different. Mr.. Edmunds argues that
the change, though a radical one, would ef-
feet q saving of many thousands of dollars
to the taxpayers and reduce considerably
the number of children who receive made
uuate accommodations because OF over
Growding in the schools.
If the present system continues the Board
of Education will be obliged to build a
million-dollar high school every year An
even larger sum will have to be spent for
new elementary schools. And in spite OF
these tremendous expenditures the conges-
tion in the schools will continue, and the |
dissa tisfaction among parents whose chill
dren are the victims Of the present sys-
tenn will not be allayed.
The reform which Mr. Edmunds advo-
Gates has been championed for several years |
by DR.. George Wheeler. associate superin-
tendent of schools. Doctor Wheeler has !
warned the Board of Education repeatedly |
that the overcrowding problem will never
~ solved until junior and senior high
schools are established.
MUST BOOST TAX RATE
An increase in the school tax rate is in
evitable, according to Mr.. Edmunds He
issued a similar warning in his report last
year. The school system, like the munich
pality, has found its expenses growing at
q greater rate than the income. Mr.. Ed
nnunds argues that the public will agree TO
m Increase in taxation. On this subject he
Bays:
The board faces the absolute necessity
Of economy. This economy may be made
either in the current expenses, of which
salaries constitute the main element, or in
the building program, or In both. Probably
n all the possible economies in the build
ing program. which are outlined above
should be practiced, there would need to be
but slight curtailment in any of the actiVi-
ties now carried on in the schools. The most
important part of a school is not the build
ing. but the teaching organization ! would
strongly urge that immediate steps be taken
to make every possible economy in the
building program before touching any other
part of our educational expenditures except
those in which a reduction may be made
without any interference with the efficiency
pf the work or the educational opportunity
Df the pupils.
FOR ten years the rate Of taxation for
school purposes has been unchanged. 1t is
svident that the time is fast approaching
when q fve-mill tax rate will not furnish
ruflcient revenue for school purposes. II we
Ire to meet the legitimate demands of mod
.rn education made upon us by the COM
nunity. even though every possible econ
my Is practiced. / am confident that the
will not interpose serious OBJ
ection TO any such increase as is necessary
3 put and keep the schools of Philadelphia
= = creditable plane as compared with
be other progressive cities of the country"
BUILDING GOING ON
ne report Of Secretary Dick shows that
neon buildings and additions to buildings
~ new in course Of construction. He ex-
1otns that while these will help to re-
<nco the number Of children attending
rart-time" sessions, the occupancy of these
I@ucfures will by no means eliminate the
1nrcrowding problem.
/. ~ addition TO the building operations
~ ~ progress. plans have been drawn for
~ structures. They are for an addi-
- the Birney School. Ninth street and
~ avenue: new building at Ann and
81 streets; an addition to the Fox Chase
- - .f~ = {<.xts /