The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-27
Enlarge Two Schools.

Commenting on the supervision Of
the work in the schools, the report
nolnted out that the superintendent of
Inc schools was not given enough pow
en- was subject to too much interfer-
ence from the board and was not elect
ca Lor a term of sufficient length to
enable him properly to put his ideas
INTO effect. Prof. Williams agreed with
these sentiments and expressed the hone
that the board would devote itself to
matters OF policy and permit the super
i nns to be in fact the executive
ana aomlnlstratiye head of the schools,
ana would elect him for a longer term
IN order that he might see his plans
carried out to the fullest extent,
n as 10 the need of additional build
'lngs TO take care Of the congested con-
oltloh OF the schools, Prof Williams
said tnat this was matter for the
building and grounds committee to work
OUT In this connection w. c. Edmond
SON. chairman Of the building commit
Tee was given authority to have
constructed additions to Bruce and
Mtn,aury schools at a cost of $4,000 each
80 ne ~, dnoitlons VIII be Of sufficient size
40 lake care of 100 pupils each,
The sixth group of criticisms offered
N the survey was in reference to
changes in charter. The survey recon-
mended board of seven instead of five
members, and their selection in such a
~ tiielt all lueINDeIS dld not retire
from service at one time Prof Jonee
toncurred in these findings and also in
mat Recommendation whereby the board
would be empowered to levy taxes mn
10 certain point for the use Of the
Additional funds needed by the board
were discussed and Prof. William
pointed out the tables in the survey
which show that the board of eduration
W NIeihpniS receives less money for the
upkeep of the schools than does any
otner city IN a group of As, with a
population of more than 100000 and not
less than 100000, Further discussion of
the comparisons made disclose the fact
mat Memphis, in proportion to her size,
receives less money for schools, than
any city, in the United States BY the
same tables 1t was shown that the 20
d lice and lire departments and the street
I departments Of Memphis receive higher
percentages than other cities of similar
size
Too Many Failures.
Prof. Williams expressed the hone
that every citizen Of Memphis would
read the report submitted by the fed
eral investigators and that the board of
education would be able to wake up
the people of Memphis to the fact that
the school system is urgently in need
of additional funds and secure the help
the changes necessary to relieve this
situation Under this head also comes
the additional pay for teachers. which
is now impossible owing to lack of
funds.
The last criticism discussed by Prof
Williams brought to the attention of
the board the percentage of failures in
the public schools. The investigators in
preparing the survey had taken the
ninth grade and they state that pupils
in English show 20 per cent of failures,
10 per cent in history, 307 per cent in
mathematics, 1872 per cent in science,
1873 per cent in ancient languages and
SO per cent in modern languages.
The failure in mathematics was the
most serious in the opinion Of Prof
Williams and he pointed out the need
of junior high school as a means of
overcoming this. The junior high school
he said, would permit the promotion Of
pupils in the studies in which they
were proficient and holding them back
in the studies in which they were de-
ficient
1t was pointed out that the large
percentage Of failures in the higher