Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-03
THURST0N'S FINAL
!: REPORT ASKS MORE
/ SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Former Superintendent Dis
cusses Educational Needs
! Observed by Him.

! Observed by Him.
Development of the District public
school system and various phases OF
its educational work during his term
of six and one-half years as superin-
tendent are outlined in detail in the
final report of Ernest l.. Thurston'
made public last night. The former
superintendentS last report, whlcn
already has been submitted to the
board of education, is a compre henslVe
document, filing eighty-Seven pages
of typewriter paper.
1t also covers certain matter urged
by Mr.. Thurston while superintend-
ent, but not adopted and treats. with
considerable detail, problems facing
the school system. These topics in
clude adequate building accommoda-
lions, lack of fexibility in the sys-
TEN, need for a sufficient force for
general control, a department OF edu-
cational measurements and statistics.
business organization. platoon schools,
text books. community centerS and an
information office Mr.. Thurston con-
cludes his report expressing apprecia-
ton of the good will and cooperation
shown him by the people of WASH
ington while at the head of the
school system.
Recommends More Assistants.
Discussing the development Of the
school system under his admlnlStra-
ton and his recommendations. Mr.
Thurston pointed out that he desired
to see the superintendent of schools
supported by a larger group OF as
sistant superintendents, five or six
in number, one of whom shall be
business manager of the school sys-
tenn and shall relieve the superin-
tendent of detailed responsibility in
that field. The other assistant superin-
tendents, in his opinion. should be free
for definite assignment by the super
intendent.
Mr.. Thurston declared that he was
in favor of the organization OF q
permanent commission to work out
systematic plans for new ouiidings
and for extension Of school grounds,
so that the progress made In the
future would be based on careful
study of the present and future needs.
In the graded schools the former
Superintendent said he favored larger
buildings, probably up to twenty
rooms, equipped with assembly halls,
gymnasiums and space for the man
ual arts so that the graded work IN
crowded sections may be organized
if necessary, on the platoon system,
and in other sections with flexible
classes to enable the adjustment OF
the work more closely to the needs
Of the individual students. thus re-
Aucine the amount Of retardation.
Mr. Thurston said he was anxious 70
see the small school buildings either
eliminated by sale, except in local-
ties where buildings can be properly
grouped and administered as one.
Urges Bond Issue.
A bond issue to meet the cost Of
construction of necessary school
buildings is advocated by Mr.. Thurs
ton in his report. Il favor the meet
ing Of the cost of construction of our
necessary buildings by bond issue"
in order to distribute the expenses
over a number of years. and to get
our housing accommodations without
delay" l $50. -
Slight extension of the school day
for the first and second grade teach
ers. to be used for special instruction
of weak pupils in their own classes
is recommended by Mr.. Thurston.
Other recommendations of the super
intendent, in brief, are:
Extension of the medical inspection
work to close oversighs of all pupils;
extension Of the detnal clinics: e4.
tension Of manual arts for girls ana
boys back to the lower grades; de-
partmentalizing of the instruction in
its upper grades; organization OF tne
school garden work into q regular oe-
partment under a department head;
giving special weight to the work in
American history. and its teaching
of American ideals and Of the devel-
lopment of patriotism for both the
graded and high schools; establish
ment of a paid force of substitute
aeachers; institution of prevoca-
tional school In each general section
of the city where real desire Tor 1t
exists: extention Of the junior high
school system; extension of the course
of the two normal schools from Two
to three years: development OF the
vocational schools until they are or
ganixed as a regular unit OF day IN,
etruction, and continuing the liberal
treatment of the night schools.
Increase for Teachers.
Increases In the salaries of teach
erS 30 that they will receive q mini
m,fm of $500 a year 10 favored by
Nh Thurston, The former superin-
tendent is also in favor OF marked
increases in wages for officers OF the
school system, and the janitor and
engineer force.
Extension of the use of school
buildings to community centers and
civic Organizations is advocated by
Mr.. Thurston. II believe that this is
a service the school system should
render" he said. II favor the grant
with heat, light and 5anitor service
free"
Thurston said:
"On June 80 of this year I closed
my connection with the public schools
service as teacher and officer for
period of twenty-six years; the last
six and one-half years, covering one
partial term and two complete terms
in the superintendency of schools.
These terms Of service as supsrin.
period through which the school sys-
tenn has passed probably in its his
tory. 1t includes the war years. when
the most unusual conditions had to
be met. and adjustments of all kinds
had to be made. in order that the
school system might render the best
possible service to the community. 1t
includes, also, the period of disinte-
grafton of the school teaching force
the country over. with all the attend
ant problems. At the same time. dur
ing these six and one-half years
there was marked professional growth
and development within the system.
Owing to the co cooperation Of the edu-
cational force and of the community.
probably more progressive steps were
larger developments than in any
other period of equal length. In view
of the close of my service as SUI
perintendent. 1t my not be an mop
perfume time to summarize briefly
some of the changes and developments
wrought in the school system in these
few years during which the direc-
tion of educational affairs has rested
with me:
More School Employees
There has been. during these six and
0ne-half years, a marked increase in the
number of school employees, especially
In the teaching force In 1Q12.1o1A