Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15
RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH: SUNDAY JULY Is 1917

! closely tho college preparatory or
classical typo. Many OF them still re-
Guire Greek and practically all mako
Latin the central type. THIS. by no
means. cxcitcs the enthusiasm of DIR.
| Jones. Like the rest Of us no does not
believe In dead languages for ne
| grocs. except. OF course, In few ex-
ccptional cases.
The report. in a dispassionatc, ju-
dicial way which ought not to prove
| offensive even to the most sensitive,
points out many defects in tho present
systems OF negro education though
no one State or community Is singled
out for adverse criticism. "Inade-
quacy and poverty" says DR.. Jones.
are the outstanding characteristics of
every type and grade Of education for
| negroes in the United States. No form
OF education is satisfactorily equipped
or supported. Despite all limitations,
however, much excellent instruction
has been given"
In the conduct and management of
colored schools" adds the author in
another place, lit is to BIO expected that
the South should stress conformity to
the community standards of the white
people. The concern OF the negro is
naturally the preservation of his self
respect and the Increase of opportuni-
ties for employment and influence. The
concern of the North is the mainte-
nance of such school activities as will
produce manhood and womanhood Of
good physique. discerning minds and
sound morals"
SUMMARY Of EDUCATIONAL NIsEDs
OF VIRGINIA AND SOUTH
For Nirginia-as we'll as for most OF
the other Southern States-the report
offers the following suggestions:
l. The strengthening and extension
I elementary ha
only agencies able to supply this need
are the State. the county and the local
public school districts
2. The increase of teachcr-training
facilities To this end. secondary
schools with Misunderstanding courses
should Pe developed. and the private
schools should cooperate with the
state Department of Education by
Placing more emphasis on teacher
training in accordance with State
standards.
3. More provision for instruction in
gardening, household arts and simple
industries. In developing this work
the county authorities would do we'll to
consider the possibilities of the Jeanes
fund industrial supervisors.
T. More instruction in agriculture
and in the problems OF rural life, so
that teachers and leaders may be de.
Veloped for people &c per cent rural.
5. The maintenance OF industrial
SCHOOLS IN cities. 1t is but fair to all
concerned. and particularly to the
state authorities to explain that owing
to the length OF time required in the
compilation Of the report-thrce years
some Of the figures given arc not
absolutely up-to-datc. For example.
the total sum. sa,1ss.746. paid Virginia
teachers session 1911-12 has been in
creased TO $4.474432 and IT is to BIO
assumed that the negroes have come
IN fer fair share OF this increase
Ihen, too, the constitutional age for
children In Virginia Is seven to twenty
years. and not six to twenty, as the re-
port seems to assume. But these are
iminaterial points. so far the general
scope or the work is concerned, and
40 not impair its usefulness as a refer
ehce DOOR In word, those Interested
IN negro education should feel greatly
hoeoted to DR.. Jones and his associates
LOT the labor. skill and untirinE in
dustry they have devoted to their
notable work.