Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-21

rs THERE anything radically wrong
L with the public school system OF
Philadelphia? II SO. what? What Is
the remedy? These interrogatons served
as guiding themes in the examination
undertaken of the charges that the pub
lie schools were failing In their mission
Of educating the children Of today to be
tho good citizens Of tomorrow. qualified
TO make their way In the world and in
spired to genuine Americanism.
Constant criticisms have been made of
late that the schools are neither
efficiently nor economically conducted.
Persistent demands have been made for
a survey OF the system TO expose Its
faults and chronic mistakes and
the public Its merits and ad-
vantsges. Such a comprehensive school
study" recently made in Boston. was
designed to show fundamental weak
nesses. which might threaten the super
structure, and errors OF detail in op-
Grafton which might need easily applied
corrective measures. but which were not
menacing. These two objectives were
kept In mind as standards to measure
the value Of discoveries made by the
writer and revelations made to him in
this unofficial. impartial quest for
What Is wrong with the Philadelphia
schools?'
AN UNOFFICIAL SURVEY"
The investigator was chosen for this
task for what were deemed apparent
oualifics stions--know of schools in
three other cities. one larger and two
smaller than Philadelphia; a fairly wide
acquaintance among teachers and edu-
Gators, who might be depended on to
discuss weaknesses frankly, and sym
pathetic attitude toward the aims and
ideals, difficulties and even failures OF
the public school system.
Several weeks were spent in the sur
vey. which included intimate conversa-
tions with teachers, from Undergraduates
to high school professors; educational
authorities. officials of teachers associa-
tions. parents and school children.
Theories were supplemented by labora-
tory tests of classroom observation. which
showed the actual reactions of children
to the schooling provided. This practical
research was made without warning 10
or knowledge of teachers or pupils. An
open-minded view was possible, since the
Investigators own schooling here was
remote enough to furnish backgrounds
and perspectives. yet not too far bacl;
TO preclude continuous understanding OF
the peculiar educational problems OF
Philadelphia, and his philosophy and
! journalistic training sufficiently tenn.
pered In the discipline OF life TO bar
favorable prejudices toward institutions
or partisanshlp for pedagogical acquaint-
ance. As a further precaution agains,
baised conclusions, number of inter-
Views were had with absolute strangers
some of whose names we're not asked
Thus. so far as this survey is governed
by criticisms, comment or Conmenda
tions of the system BY teachers, 1t Is the
consensus of condolences of friends o,
the writer, views Of educators and
teachers known by reputation and thos,
of teachers purposely kept anonymous.
STANDING OF SCHOOL CRITICS
Mrs, Mary V. Grice. president Of the
! Home and School League, has been the
most persistent and consistent critic OF
the public school system. Mrs, Grice is
! a civic-minded woman. who has done
notable work in the interests of popular
educgtion, particularly in one phase oi
/ Il, namely. coordination of the class.
room and the household and the develop
ment OF cooperation and understand
/ ing between parents and teachers HeI
sincerity in the past is certificate tt
! the good faith of her present drastic
criticisms. She is an earnest believer
/ In her criticisms and theories. Whether
she is right is what this study" had tc