New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-20
Plan to Save
Schools From
Chaos Devised
Education Association Gives
Out Program to Build
Up System Demoralized
by Hylan Inefficiency
Individual To Be Basis
Broader Training for City's.
Youth, as Well as Bet
ter Buildings, Sought

Revelations of the Hylan administra-
tion's mismanagement of the city's Dub
lie schools, as shown in dilapidated
school buildings, overcrowded and IN
sanitary classrooms and a breaking
down of the morale of the teaching
staff, prompted the Public Education
Association to issue yesterday "a pro-
gram of reconstruction"
The purpose is to answer Mayor Hy-
lan's defense that the present demorali-
zstion of the schools is due to neglect
Of previous administrations rather
than to his own and TO point out to
the Mayor and to Aiming S. Prall,
president of the Board of Education,
what citizens have a right to expect
from their public officials"
The association, after more than a
years personal investigation, recently
showed that at least forty of the pub
lie school building are almost unfit for
habitation, and that not only is the
health of pupils imperiled, but their
education is subnormal. By authority
of the executive committee, Howard
W. Nudd, director of the association,
prepared a Reconstruction plan"
which specifies seven essentials for
lifting the schools out of their present
chaotic condition.
Nudd's Statements Endorsed
Statements attributed to Mr. Prall
and published in the Hearst news
papers, that Mr.. Nudds recent attacks
on the Hylan school regime did not
have the full acquiesence of members
of the association, were denied in
public letter by Charles P. Rowland,
the president. Mr.. Nudd bitterly at
tackled the present school management
as being unworthy of a big community.
"Mr. Nudd has our unqualified and
hearty support" said Mr.. Rowland.
The association also declares that it's
attacks have not been actuated by
political motives.
After asserting that the Mayors
duty is to appoint members of the
Board of Education who realize that
their function is primarily to formu-
late broad principles, "and not to dab
BILE in administrative Details" the as
ISOLATION summarizes these policies as
essential to rebuilding the schools:
II. Rigid adherence to the merit
system in appointing employees, in
GLIDING not only teachers, principals
and supervisory officers but superin-
tendents and examiners in whose
hands rest the character and efficiency
Of the entire professional staff.
20. An enlightened grading of chill
dren in groups for instruction accord
ing to mental and physical abilities, in
order that their individual needs and
aptitudes may be properly dealt with
and their progress through school con-
Quoted in an economical and expedi-
tious fashion.
Would Widen the Field
~-"3. The adoption of courses of study
and school programs and the provision
garten through the high schools that
make possible the adaptation of in
struction to the individual needs of
the children and lay the basis for en-
trance to a wide range of careers. in
stead Of to the limited field of clerical
or profssiona vocations only COM
pretended in the traditional school.
-. The extension of public school
facilities to meet the needs of the boy
and girl who must leave school prema-
turely to go to work and of those ele-
ments in our adult population who
need further instruction and inspira-
ton to enable them to achieve their
highest personal development and
etACAA VII OoIiSdIlOiIS anu OpDOTCunl-
ties as citizens. This means not only
the provision of special courses of
study in day and evening classes but
the wider use of the school plant
through public lectures and recreation
and social centers.
20. Adequate compensation for all
classes of professional and business
positions, in order that the highest
type of employees may be attracted to
and kept in the service of the schools.
IS. Practical recognition of the fact
that education is profession by the
adoption of measures that will enable
the rank and file of the teaching and
supervisory staff to participate in the
establishment of professional standards
and policies, not only that the staff it
self may grow in enthusiasm and eff
cheney but that the board and it's ad-
mtnlstrative experts may have in the
IA