Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-03
Plan for Better ~
Developed Character
Training in Schools


Washington, d. c., April 1.-The
right solution of the problem Of
democracy ''can only come through
the school" according to q plan for
a "better developed character train
ing in the public schools for which
a prize Of $4,000 has been awarded
under the auspices Of the Character
Education Institution. The winning
plan was prepared by the following
research committee in Iowa: Prof. d.
Starbuck of Iowa State University,
chairman; II. E. Blackmar. SUPER
intendent of public schools. Ottumwa:
C. p. Colgrove. president Of Upper
Iowa University. Fayette; Prof. y. d.
Cram and Prof. A. c. Fuller of
Teachers College. Cedar Falls; Prof.
E. Horn OF Iowa State University:
f. H. Huskill. former superintendent
of schools at Waterloo; Prof. Her
bert Martin Of Drake University. Des
Moines; Prof. j. d. Stops OF Grim
nell College, Grinnell.
The competition was conducted be-
tween committees OF nine appointed
by a committee of selection which in
turn was appointed by the executive
committee of the Institution. The
chairman of the winning committee
receives $4,000: each of the other
eight collaborators, 5000.
The winning plan proposes WAYS
and means designed to obtain gNater
moral results from the regular
to be added TO the curriculum.
1.-THE right organization OF the
school can alone go far toward
solving the character training prob
lems," says the plan. ITO feel the
collective judgment of ones peers Is
the heart of moral impulse" IL con
tinues, citing cases where school
discipline was exercised by the group
will rather than through the mere
authority Of the teacher. "A mod.
cum Of student participation Gin
school governmenO is a saving grace
If IL assures a feeling of member
ship in the school community and
sets free pent up powers that are
wanting an avenue of expression.
The problems undertaken by student
government should be mans size"
One chapter presents three rating
scales for measuring improvement
in character.
The Character Education Institution
has just been reincorporated. Ac-
cordlng to its certificate of incorpo-
ration it aims TO include mainte-
nance Of itself as an endowed
national institution with special
faculty for the development OF char
acter education of children and youth.
under the control and leadership Of
professional educators.
The membership Is limited 10 The
chairman of the institution. the CHIEF
executive officers OF education OF the
several states, the United States
Commissioner Of Education. MEM
Der of the staff of the Federal Bureau
Of Education. designated by the Com
missioner. the Secretary OF the Ma
tional Education Association. the
Chairman of the Division OF Anthro-
pology and Psychology OF the ma
''~~~I research council, the secretary
of the national congress OF mothers
the dean of school or education
within the District OF Columbia or
vicinity. the superintendent or puohc
>. nools. Of the District of COLUMBIA,
and a member of the staff OF the
public schools of the District or Co.
lumbia. and the present life directors
Of the national institution for mora'
instruction. the parent organization
of the institution.