New-York tribune., 1922-12-26
Part Time In
Schools Shows
Big Increase
President George ]. Ryan
Says Gain is Out of All
Proportion to Number
of the Newly Registered
Urges a Rigid Inquiry
Wants the Responsibility
Placed and Remedial
Measures Provid e d

The number Of part-time pupils IN
the public school increased 2e,752 in
the two months beginning September I
IN spite Of the enlarged school facili-
ties, George J. Ryan, president OF the
Board of Education, said IN letter TO
members Of the board. made public yes
terday. He advocates the establish
ment Of an investigating bureau TO find
out where conditions are bad and 10
advise remedies.
Investigation" the letter reads. "of
tho progress made in providing full
time accommodations for children in
the schools that | have prosecuted
under authority Of the Board Of Educa-
tion has revealed conditions that I be-
lieve should be quickly communicated
TO the members In order that each Of
you may give careful consideration to
the action TO be taken at the next meet
ing 20 hold 70 strict Accountability
those responsible for the conditions
revealed.
Between September 1, 1921, and De-
tober 81, 1922, school buildings costing
S2a, 1885 ,Ssl.02 wereo pened. They pro-
vided Ses32 sittIngs for high and sls-
msntary school pupils. The Increase
In school registers was 1913.
you will note that there was . sur
plus Of new sittings over increase IN
register Of 20.6l9 sittings. This sur-
plus did not result In any reduction Of
tho total number Of children on part
time. In fact. the number OF children
receiving partial schooling increased
2e,752 between the dates indicated.
Record for Two Months
"HAving aseertained these facts !
requested the Superintendent of
Schools 20 furnish me with a state
ment OF the total sittings OF record
September. 1921. and October. 1922.
These figures disclose n net increase
In sittinRs OF only 23,72s. This is
I6IO4 fewer than the number Of new
sittings reported as provided in our
new schools, additions and temporary
buildings.
"At such rate Of progress IL Is never
going TO be possible TO eliminate part
time. Approximately half OF all Of the
sittinRs provided at q cost OF t22, 1885,
834 have been lost. Furthermore, the
sittings provided have not resulted in
any reduction In the total number Of
children on part time In the city.
81 ask your attention particularly 70
the conditions revealed In the elemen-
tary schools.
an September, 1921, there were sls,-
393 pupils on register. They were ac-
commodated in the 723,305 sittings
available with s6,153 children on part
time.
Last October there we're s27,729
pupils registered and the number Of
sittings had been increased to 73s,474,
but OF ,0sl are reported as on part time.
There is something seriously amiss
IN the way those responsible for the
administration of the schools are using
sittings being furnished at great cost
when 1928 more pupils are put on part
time although 15,169 additional sittings
are provided for, an increase Of e,336
pupils registered.
High School Figures
ain the high schools in September.
1921, there were s5,940 students regis
tered and for their accommodation
there were 59,s9s sittings available
and 36,s24 students we're reported on
part time.
ain October, 1922, the registers
showed total of 95,7s7 students and
there were 6S,557 sittings, but 5s,646
were reported on pdrt time.
"More again the increase in part time
has been out Of all proportion 10 the
increase in register. The student
population increased 1887 and the
number Of sittings increased only 1859.
but part time showed an increase Of
81 ,ss2.
"Sueh data as these coming to the
members Of the Board Of Education
emphasize the 'reat need the board has
Of a fact-hnding and investigating
agency that shall serve the board at all
times and bring to-the attention of the
members currently the conditions ex-
listing in the schools TO the end that
those that are in need Of correction
shall be quickly remedied.
"This Board Of Education is engaged
upon the greatest school building pro-
gram in the history Of the city. We
have been advised again and again that