Evening journal., 1919-02-07
fcontInued rom PAGE one.l

k0uCdIlon bCdIu lDduc IL OboltC AZ
salaries for the experts who made tn
Delaware survey. II asking only TO b.
reimbursed for actual expenses.
The Delaware Public School Commits
sion that arranged for the survey com
prises Caleb E. Burchenal, chairman
John S. Mullin, Frank L. Grier. JOSEPH
Frazier and Henry p. Scott. In com
menting upon the experts report 0.
their survey. the commission says:
'It is with a deep sense Of hu-
utilization to our State pride that
we learn that the State Of Della
ware, which was the first TO
sign the Constitution. which
stood among the very FIRST in
every Liberty Loan, Red Cross or
War drive during the recent war,
and whose citizens have ever been
most loyal to the best traditions OF
this country. stands so low in
school efficiency. In view OF the
facts contained IN this report, your
commission feels that Il cannot urge
too strongly the great necessity OF
taking effective steps at once 10 I'M
prove orr school conditions. We
now know that we are not doing
for our children what we ought to
do. We Delawareans cannot afford
to have this said Of us"
DR.. Flexner. and DR.. Bachman IN their
analysis of the Delaware situation as
sert that the schools In rural Delaware
ire poor because:
FIrst-The State makes no ade-
quate preparation for the training
Of her teachers
Second-The State employs imma-
ture teachers. Twenty-three per
cent. are under twenty-one years Of
age.
Thlrd-The State pays her ele-
mentary teachers about s5S5 per
annum.
Fourth-Sixty-seve per cent. OF
the teachers hold the lowest grade
OF certificate issued.
Fifth-The school buildings are.
with few exceptions, seriously de-
fective.
Sixth-The State Is divided into
s24 small educational republics,
managed by 1899 officials.
Seventh-The States admlnlstra-
tive boards are without the neces-
sary organization. powers. or funds.
Eighth-The executive ofilcer. Is
not responsible 10 the body which
determines the educational policies
Of the State.
Ninth The States superinten-
dents are without the clerical as
sistance which makes It possible
for them 10 keep the records neces-
ssry 10 a clear understanding OF
the school problem.
Tenth-The State dividend Is dis
tributed on a basis OF teachers en-
ployed, Instead OF upon the basis OF
children enrolled and their attend
ance.
A summary OF the experts survey OF
Delaware's rural schools follows:
Public School Commission.
The Public School Commission, ere
ated BY the legislature ~ 1917. invited
the General Education Board, which
dad recently made q similar and high
~ productive study OF public educa-
tIon In Maryland, 10 report on educa-
tlonal conditions In Delaware with
looking TO the neoes-
sary improvements. The report Of The
General Education Board Is issued to-
iRg. having been adopted unanimous
" by the Public School Commission.
IN outline the report IS as follows;
Population. e..
Outside Of Wilmington, Delaware IS
rural State, 90 per cent. Of the popu-
alton. excluding Wilmington, living 10
mall towns or in the open country.
The population consists OF two races,
white and black, both overwhelmingly
native In origin The school problem
,f Delaware Is therefore that OF or
sanizing a satisfactory system OF rural
schools for q homogeneous population
Of two races.
State BOARD.
The schools OF Delaware are now
by three boTds-the
State Board, the county school COM
missions. and the district committees,
10 the boards OF educa-
tion in incorporated districts. None Of
the three can under existing clrcum-
stances function effectively. The State
Board, which has projected some wise
measures IN recent years, Is without
The necessary organization, powers or
funds. The State Commissioner Of Edu-
cation, who should be the executive
officer Of the board chosen by the
board to execute its policies is ap-
pointed by the governor instead OF be
ug chosen by the board. He is there |
ore not responsible TO the body which /
determines the educational policies OF /
he State: the relations OF the Board /
nd the Commissioner have in recent |
ears been harmonious but they can
OF on the present basis be effective |
borrower even when policies have been /
doptd by the State Board there
0 way OF enforcing them upon
Ie local authorities. In effect the /
,gulations OF the State Board and the
ate Commissioner amount to little
ore than advice; II this advice IS
eded well and good; If IL is ignored
rejected the State authorities are
actically powerless. Finally even II
e State Department had authority 1t
8 now no way of informing Itself
oroughly about what Is happening in
e schools for the State Commisslo:.
Is entirely without trained assist
ATS who could Systematically procure
icts and put them in shape for use by
ne department and for the lnforma- II
ion OF the public. II
me report therefore recommends: HI
l. That the State Board appointed III
y ne governor. should make general Ill
'chool policies. the execution Of which III
'noulo De intrusted 10 a trained Com III
Board 0N0Sen oy inc III
mat the Commissioner OF Fduos- III
tlon should be provided with a go, Ill
tralneo STAFF to assist him in ths na III
formance OF his duties. 'As per- Ill
>. That the Slate Department s,rra III