The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-07

ii business interests were merely SelfiSh and
- seeking financial profit they would them
selves extra and in every other way possible pro-
mote good schools. To have here the model city
system of public schools of the United States would
be most valuable financial investment. 1t would
greatly increase both the city's transient popula-
ton and its permanent resident population.
1t would attract educators, not only from all our
States. but from all over the world 1t is more
and the policy of all school authorities urge,
If require teachers spend portion of their
cations in keeping step with educational advancement.
Not infrequently, and very wisely any material
salary increase is made dependent summer work
and investigation. The attendance at such school
as the Columbia Teachers College summer session
reaches many thousands. Yet none of these COL
lcges or institutes have than isolated graded
or high schools to offer as models for observation.
There is nowhere in all this country a system
OF schools in operation and covering entire city,
which educators recognize model. There is no
city to which teacher, supervisor, principal, SUI
pcrintendent Investigator 60 to study city
system as whole which is thoroughly up to date
in all phases of public school education Such a
system would have the platoon, Gary, system in
operation for comparison with the junior high sys-
ten. 1t would have a cooperating supervisory
force that would have OF study thor
oughly co-ordnated as to be distinctive only as
piled; manual training in all its variety as dis
tinctive from trade, vocational schools, which
most educators believe have no proper place in a
public school system.
This country should have such system and
clearly it should be in Washington where the very
best in American public school methods and prac-
tice would be put in operation fast it had
passed the laboratory test isolated trial. Every
American teacher wants to visit Washington Here
would be her excuse with financial profit to her
self, to take months vacation and spend it here in
observation with maybe special work at normal
Here she. he. also could come in the summer and
find continuation schools in session as a complete
system. Here the foreign educators who visit this
country each year investigate the American pub
lie schools, would and stay. They usually
come here now, but stay and not to view
With pride or admiration.
But this is only part of the tale of Washington's
benefit There is other attraction which is equal
that OF good public schools in drawing families
to city permanent Presidents. 1t is a known
fact that the public school situation here has sent
many families away. Make these schools the best
in America and thousands OF families would buy
homes here that their children might have the ad-
vantage Of the schools well of the museums
galleries and the many other sources Of educational
inspiration.
1t is conceded that Washington is the most
beautiful residence city in this country. There is
most to that is worthwhile; most to hear that
IS Of value; the associations which contribute most
to pleasure and educational value. 1t is Americas
tount2inhead in quite every phase of the cultural
and OF the practical. Here is art, literature
science, government, history all in process as we'll
in historic completion. Add to all this the best
OF public schools and in ten years the District of
Columbia will be compact city.
These not ranbow-hued dreams; they are
proved facts. There is not a student OF city build
ing who does not recognize good schools as the
frequently deciding factor of a citys growth Taxes
fcr good schools an investment and poor
schools liability always paid for in loss Of
population and in decided increases in charities, or
that modern form of charity known as welfare in
situations. What Washington itself has saved in
school taxes it is paying for such uses and
in makeshifts of various kinds, while hundreds of
perfectly capable children being dragged down
by wrong association with morons and even the
feeble-minded because OF badly balanced school
system
Al