The Washington times., 1919-12-07
What's the Matter
With
TheSchOOlS?

Washington school system is
short of teachers, short of room,
short of equipment, and in de-
plorublc state otherroise. In this
series of articles The Times tciU
set forth the conditions, for the
Information of Washington peO-
pie and members of Congress.
+ = !.
Despite the fact that the en-
roIlment in the public schools is
now increasing at the rate OF
5000 to 5000 a year the teaching
force has had no additional names
added TO its rolls. "Give us more
teachers and we can temporarily
relieve congestion in SAT crowded
classrooms," says Ernest l..
Thurston, superintendent of
schools.
II Congress would appropriate
funds providing for, say, 400 more
teachers, IL would mean that the
hundreds of overburdened teach
tfc Nodfd oC icAACNCN A-
and that the $4,000 school
students would no longer be COM
pelled to study in crowded class
rooms, where they are deprived
of the full instruction due them.
Platoon systen.
Superintendent Thurston has a
plan to accommodate comfort
ably more than 2,40o students in
the graded schools. 1t is the
platoon system. Asked when, IL
would be put in operation the
superintendent answers:
when we get more teachers"
The superintendent also intends
to enlarge the junior high schools
to relieve congestion in grade and
senior high schools. Asked when
this will be done, this answer
comes:
When We get more teachers"
And still there is another plan
which would relieve congestion.
Although it roDs a student of
half day OF STUDY, conditions are
becoming such that school Of
ficials may nave to adopt the sys-
tenn. 1t is the establishment Of
halliday classes in the grades.
But even IL the schools become
so crowded we cannot handle all
pupils, it is impossible TO estab-
lish halliday classes. Why? We
haven't enough teachers
1t is possible to relieve conges-
ton in Washington's high schools
by shifting the periods. As ii is
5000 students will be forced in
E>oh to Sfp in snh4N1a hpsf1t
to accommodate 1000 students.
But to even adopt a shift plan in
the high schools means more
teachers.
Congress has been asked to pro-
vide 132 more teachers for the
schools. This request Is included
in a deficiency appropriation. No
doubt the money for the teachers
will be appropriated some time
in the near future-at least, it is
hoped this will be done.
But when provision is made for
these new teachers there comes
another question:
Can enough teachers be Sc
cured on the present salaries?
Superintendent Thurston has
his hopes-yet he also has his
doubts. Give Washington more
teachers and give the teachers
more money-then the public
schools can get down to business
and start educating the children,
is the belief Of school officials
But while there are insufficient
teachers and low salaries parenvs
can only hope their children will
be taught properly.
More Schools Needed.
In no other city in the country
has the school enrolment in
creased as il has in the District.
In no other large city in the
country do they pay low salaries
such as are paid here-for the
services of teachers. In no other
city in the country has the legis-
lature failed to make provisions
for a sudden increase, by supply
ing more permanent buildings.
And in no other city in the coun-
try has the legislature failed to
provide sufficient teachers to in
struct the students.
There is no doubt an un-
usual condition exists here. More
teachers and more money for
teachers will give only tempo
rary relief. More permanent
schools is the greatest need.