Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-11
WILLIAM c. ASH
On Vocational Growth In Schools

VOCATIONAL art in the public schools
Y has been rcvolutionized in the last fifteen
years, states William G. Ash, director OF
practical arts and vocational education IN
the public schools of this city.
ut is but short time" pointed out
Mr. Ash. ''since practical education was
looked upon as u thing apart from what
was at that time understood to be educa-
ton. Then as the manual training idea IN
vaded the school system, there was still a
misunderstanding of the real scope and pur-,
pose of the work and n sharp division that
amounted almost to intolerance between
studies of an academic nature and those OF
the more practical form.
"In 1906 the vocational idea got real
foothold in the schools, and the amazing
growth of this feature both in interest OF
the pupils and effectiveness in the teaching
is now a matter of history.
Perhaps the most striking feature. Ger
tainly the one that makes its greatest ap-
peal to the parent and taxpayer, is the
tangible direct results which it has obtained.
Where. formerly the pupil went out from
school poorly equipped to make any real
headway for some time in his chosen voca-
ton, if he had one, and was forced to
struggle along uninformed and unguided he
now goes out, as it were, with flying
start.
"At the present time vocational pupils
are not only ready to take a position that
commands a good salary. but they are ac-
tually placed and are earning substantial
money before they have finished their
courses.
Apprentice System Wiped Out
with the coming of the war the old ap-
prentice system of work was practically
wiped out. Apprentices in various fields
of endeavor are now to all intents and pur-
poses a thing of the past The demand for
skilled workers and for higher positions in
their organizations is at the present time
far in excess of the supply.
"As a result of the growth Of the voca-
tional system in the schools and the new
conditions. the pupil now has unexampled
opportunities not only to develop and Sc
cure the highest possible training in his
work. but to secure that much to be desired
co ordination between school study and
work and actual practice in the everyday
workaday world.
with the present system the high school
student in the fourth year of his chosen
course spends two weeks out of every school
month in an industrial establishment actu-
ally working and producing and earning a
good salary.
This plan presents several advantages.
In the first place, the pupil is enabled to
earn money and take some of the strain
from his parents struggling to give him an
education, and in many cases is enabled to
finish a course that he would otherwise be
unable to do.
"Then he is enabled as he goes along
with his course to put into operation in
actual working practice the things which he
learns in school, 80 that lost motion is
eliminated. The big industrial establish
ments offer the pupil an equipment to work
with that Is out of the question in the
public school system.
Gets Start In the World
"And from the practical standpoint he
enjoys the inestimabe advantage of a start
= 4 n.,l fna "a
chooses upon completing his course he is
we'll established in good paying position
with bright chances of advancement.
"At the present time the courses Of study
include electrical construction, machine
shop practice, mechanical drafting, carpen-
try, cabinetmaking and patternmaking.
"Not only are the boys provided for, but
the girls have not been overlooked. Home
economics and domestic science designed to
fit the girls to become better wives and
enable them not only to become efficient in
dividually, but to become real hepmates to
their husbands of the future, are features OF
the courses.
''But it is my ultimate hope that we will
be able in the near future to broaden out
and meet the needs OF the day by including
courses to meet the needs of the changing
times. The modern field is practically unS
touched. Philadelphia is one of the greatest
manufacturing cities in the world The
needs of industries for skilled men are enor.
nous, and the development of boys to meet
these needs will rebound to the benefit Of
both the pupils and the industries them.
selves.
Great Fields Open
For instance there is an enormous field in
the textile industries. Tailoring offers
field that has undreamt of possibilities. The
needs for skilled men in this field are tres
mendous. The remuneration is we'll worth
while and the working conditions have been
completely reyolutionized The deyelopment
Of nanerior warkmen In this Gald uaaa,.a ...I