The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-18
Education Board Adopts
 Longer School Day
(Continued from Page D

tns Scheouie as aoopIed IS as 1o1- lows:
 l. A school day of 51 hours in the elementary schools.
 g. A school year of approximately 200 days.
 5. Seven class periods of not less than 70 minutes each for teachers in the High school.
 Commissioners In Favor.
 The argument for the extension program was led by Commissioner Alfred c. Tones. Secretary Dr. Ed ward F. McGovern, and Commissioner William T. Mclaughlin. Colnmis sioner Howard F. Challenger and Mrs. Mary .. E. Cutting voted against the longer school day and year. but voted in favor of the ''staggered'' system for the High school.
 The encouragement of studies and other details of the new program has been left in the hands of Acting Superintendent E. Everett Cortright- In a report submitted to the board Mir. Cortright suggests that the extra half hour be divided equally in physi- cal instruction games and play and the manual arts.
 Discrimination in applying the five and one-half day was left to MT Cortright. If it is found a strain on some pupils he is to decide what to do
 Mrs. Cutting said that with the in stalling of the staggered system in the High school teachers would ask for raise in salary.
 She also declared that the grammar school teachers would ask for a raise and said that she believed that a move was now on foot to obtain this raise. Commissioner Wilson replied that this condition might be met when it arose
 Cortrfght's Report.
 With the added half hour to the school day, MT. Cortright believes that a department for research should be established. His letter to the board on the change follows:
 .In the discussion over the proposed lengthening of the school day and year, the question has very properly added time. As I stated in my former communication to you on this subject, this was the important element m the situation. To safeguard the re!a- tive values in our school subjects in the elementary grades, issued to the principals under date of April 1,~192!. the amount of time per week avail able for each subject. A copy of this bulletin is attached here with.
 This allotment of time was to guide principals and teachers in the making of their daily programs as well as to safeguard the rights of each of the subjects. This bulletin ampll. fled an earlier one under date oE September 24, 1919, which came when two new subjects were introduced Ciyics and Health and General Science. I am attaching copy ol the illustrative program supplied 10 principals at that time in order that M you may see just how this works out "Tn regard to the proposed added length of the day-30 minutes-f l am in charge at that time, l should divide these equally between
 "a. Physical Education, games and
 "b. Manual Arts.
 .'The health of the teacher and pupil Is of paramount importance to socle- tv and in cities must be safeguarded by definite plans. As much Of thls added time as possible should be out Noors.
 In Manual Arts. which means the frst-hand knowledge through it, thi' will serve to check and balance oul highly intellectual education and give added time to develop the true m ltiative and responsibility of the chll- 5ren. ~, recommend, then, that in the event of the adoption of the lengthen- ed day, that the added time be d1Vld ed as indicated.
 'In regard to the lengthened schoo! wear. this, if adopted, will give us time. wsthout curtailing that alreadH allotted to subjects, to set up a de pa.-tment of Research and Measure ment.
  time and proceedings without it leaves open the question at all times as tc the effectiveness of our work. The schools have done a great deaI through the group and personal intel Iigence tests in accurately sorting their pupils. By far the largest en- phasis has been put upon the defec- tive child.
 generally neglected. yet it is in this gifted group that the futuEe- leader ship of the country lies. We should be very certain that we recognize lhi' group and give them a richer currl- culuIn as well as make it possible to corYrplete the curriculum in a shorter tine.
 If I am still in charge at that time, I should plan to use the added length of the year to arrive at some definite standards of measurement of progress as well as to be certain that the pupils are more accurately graded and that a system Of Child Account ing should be installed as part of 9 Research and Measurement Di- vision.
 We have been proceeding in the past entirely too much upon lmpres- sions of the value Of the work being done There are definitely known m ethods by which We can ascertain the real situation. recommend that, in the event a longer year is adopted, a definite department of Research
 
 the above field at least in mind. "In the matter of the calendar sub rnitt tted--a copy of which is now m your hands, recommend that the single individual holidays be abol- ished and that the total of these be added to the Easter holiday recess so that we may have the regular Than<S- giving, Christmas and Easter holidays. This will not be violating the spirit of the enactment legalizing thees hoil- days and will be, a step forward in consolidating the values that come out of the school work" Commissi oner Howard Speer was absent at last nights meeting. The amendment lengthening the school day ard year was voted on by sections The wording. changing the school year to 200 days, was amended to read "'approximateIy zoo days Objections Raised. Objections to the new schedule were voiced by Commissioner Chal- lenger and Mrs. Cutting. MT. Chai- lenger said that the board was talk