Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-08
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

T VERY step in the development
of the school system of Harris
- burg, whether in the con-
struction of buildings or in the
adoption of progressive educational
policies, seems certain to encounter
active criticism, not always of the
constructive sort. AS a result there
is more or less public dissatisfaction
and too often because the people
make no real effort to learn the
facts.
At the present time and on the
threshold of the fall term a contro-
versy has arisen over the manner
of enrolling pupils for the two
Junior High schools, the latest in
novation in the local school system.
These two schools are located in the
northern and eastern sections of the
city. and a third school, similarly
equipped will be stablishcd in tie
Technical building Tor the central
district as soon as the proposed new
High school shall have been erected.
Junior High schools can be immedi-
ately accommodated, owing to TIC
regional plan that contemplates tile
admission of those within the limits
of each of the three schools, and
until the Technical building is avail
able for the central territory there
will be a considerable number of
young students who must wait the
building expansion.
Because these cannot be immedi-
ately received into the Junior High
schools there has been some COM
plant and all manner of changes
have been proposed to overcome the
difficulty. DR.. Downes, the city
superintendent, has declared that
the process of change to the Junior
High school plan must of necessity
be gradual and that almost invariably
the custom elsewhere. even in larger
cities, has been to open one JUNIOR
High school and then follow with
the others. Here two are being
opened at the same time and be-
being urged in some quarters that
the whole plan, which has been care
fully worked out be rejected and
some other scheme devised. 1t IS
understood such an overturning
would involve weeks of effort, result
IN Generalization and work hard
ships upon many lite children by
compelling them to walk long dis
tances to school.
Changing the present ARRANGEMENT
would mean, according to the edu-
cational authorities, the arbitrary
setting aside of the accepted practice
IN the organization of Junior High
schools, and in their judgement
would be serious mistake.
Public protests are not alwavs
based upon knowledge of the facts
and attempting to remedy the situ-
alton, the School Board may COM
init a grave blunder, unless tho
whole situation is carefully studied
with view to the good of all. Hav.
ing evolved a plan for the system
OA NNNNSSiOi III TIE n-RnGr grades.
those responsible for results can
hardly be blamed for regarding as
serious buslrfess the throwing of the
monkey wrench of opposition into
the gears of the educational machine
at this late day.
If any practical revision of the
existing arrangement in harmony
with the program outlined for tbe
Inauguration of the Junior High
school work is proposed, it will
doubtless be considered, but tho
school directors should proceed
with great caution in making
changes at the eleventh hour which
might dislocate the whole system ana
imperil the success of an important
departure in education in this city.
T. gAI.