Evening star., 1922-12-03
Washington's Education Week.

In another part of The Star today is
printed d survey Of the situation with
regard TO the District public school
system, its needs. its prospects of i'm
provement through legislation and the
forces at work to that end. Three
points of view are presented, that OF
the schools, that of the citizens con-
cerned in the schools and that of the
legislators TO whom the District looks
FOR the rescue of its educational sys-
tenn from the difficulties and restric-
lions that now lessen its usefulness.
The legislative program contem-
plated for the benefit Of the schools
involves four separate measures. the
bills for teacher salary adjustments.
Tor school reorganization. for compul-
sorry school attendance and for the
taking of a school census. 1, is
hoped that all four Of these may be
adopted at the regular session of Con-
gress that is to open tomorrow. In
addition it is hoped that as a result
of the findings If the joint select COM
nlittee that has been working on this
matter for some months the physical
needs of the schools will be provided
for in increased appropriations, COM
prising provisions for a comprehensive
school building program.
Following are some of the Ills from
which the schools are now suffering:
diversified classes in all the grades;
IN, ho <.ln 70
grades: double shifts in the high
schools: the continued use of portable
buildings and other undesirable rooms:
the continued use of rented buildings
not designed fer school purposes and
of buildings that have been recon-
mended for abandonment. These ills
IAN be cured only by series of con-
structions that will go beyond the
point of providing for annual in
creases of population. and as rapidly
as possible catch up with the arrears
due to continued neglect and made
quate appropriation.
1t is pointed out that in addition to
broad requirement in respect to
buildings the schools need facilities
that are now denied in many cases.
Each school building. the educational
authorities urge. should have an as
sembly hall or gymnasium. Sites for
school buildings should be chosen or
purchased ahead Of actual use to in
sure the proper location of buildings.
The new constructions should proceed
20
should. in short. anticipate crowding.
Much is hoped from the enactment
of the teachers pay bill, which en-
bodies provisions for administrative
reorganization. 4 number of material
changes i'll the grouping Of teachers
and some alterations in the executive
organization are contemplated. which.
it is believed. will make for improve
ment and for greater efficiency.
Tuesday night a conference is to
be held at the Franklin School under
the auspices of the board Of education.
and on the same evening the Board
Of Trade is to hold an education
night" meeting at the Willard Hotel
Between these two meetings, which it
IL hoped will be attended by members
Of Congress interested in local well
fare, the will Of Washington with re-
spect to its schools will be clearly ex-
pressed. This coming week has been
proclaimed by the President as "Edu-
cation week" throughout the country.
Washington will observe it with a
definite objective, the correction of the
conditions under which its schools
have suffered for many years.