The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-05-10
APPROVE MODERN
IDEA IN EDUCATION
Would ave President
Name Members of
Education Board,


of Columbia and submitted a def
mite program for school improve
ment. The meeting was held un-
! der auspices of the Congress of
Mothers and Parent-Teachers' As
sociations.
Favored by Educators.
The following changes demanded
are the most Important: Appoint
ment of a Board of Education by
the President with confirmation by
the Senate. and independent con-
troll of fiscal affairs and educa-
tlonal functions of the schools by
the Board of Education. These
changes are in keeping with recon-
mendations made by educators
after months of study of the scohol
machinery of the District of CO.
lumbia, and Would put the Wash
inEton school system on a basis
similar to that which prevails in
the leading educational cites of the
country.
The resolutions in part follows:
That while the leading cities of
the United States have recognized
that the department Of public in
struction Is the most important duty
of a democratic form of govern
ment. Washington has continued
under an inferior complicated and
outworn school machinery,
Demands Are Outlined.
That in view of the fact that
IT is the universal opinion of edu-
Gators and students OF educational
systems, including the United States
Bureau of Education. that the
schools of Washington have reached
their highest efficiency, under the
/ present system, and that these spe-
cialists have outlined the changes
that should be made to allow a
proper development of schools, we
demand that our educational system
De raised TO plane of equality
with the best systems Of public in
struction by having.
L. Members of the Board of Edu-
cation appointed by the President
with confirmation by the Senate.
2. Control of fiscal affairs and
educational functions of the schools
Solely in the Board of Education.
More Buildings Urged.
In addition to the above changes
In school machinery We demand as
| taxpayers
That sufficient buildings be
erected to accommodate the $500
extra pupils who are crowded into
Washington schools.
That school Fairgrounds be pro-
vided for the thousands of children
who are subjected to the dangers of
degrading influences of the streets.
and who are forced to use the
streets because no other play space
has been afforded.
That the insanitary non-fireproof
buildings now in Use as schools be
replaced with modern, scientifically
constructed school buildings,
That the present so-called teach
ers' salary bill now before Con-
gress, be adopted.
We desire further to express our
confidence in the present city and
school officials, who have done all
in their power to improve Wash
ington schools. despite the defets
of the present school machinery.
and in behalf of Washington
parents we declare our appreciation
| for their efforts in behalf of better
| schools.
Defects Pointed Ont.
L ne TeSOlullOHS ueI1dnu tnat DuD-
| lie instruction be placed upon a
plane of quality with the police
| and fire departments of the District
| government. Under the present
school machinery. all school budgets
are submitted to review. by the
heads of these departments. In
| practically every leading city OF
the United States, it is pointed out
public education has been recop.
nized as paramount to all other
| civic functions. and has been sepa-
rated from control by city officials
Among the defects resulting from
the present school machinery. the
resolution enumerated the olIowinr.
| l. Out of sixty-eight LEADING
cities of the United States, Wash.
ington stands seventeenth from the
bottom in education. The United
States Bureau of Education attrib.
utes this to outworn administrative
school machinery.
Buildings inadequate.
2. Three thousand six hundred
more student in high schools thar
the buildings can adequately ac.
commodate.
3. Three thousand three hundred
more students in elementary
| scnools than the buildings can ade.
quately accommodate.
| 4. Seventy-eight portable scboo,
buildings are being used.
5. Double-shift system is now he.
ing used to give instructions tc
surplus pupils.
| 8. Instead of getting five hours
instruction, pupils under double.
shift system are getting three ant
one half hours instruction.
| z. Nineteen rented buildings No,
adopted to school purposes, are be.
ing used. The annual rent on tbes.
buildings is S16.5O0.
| 8. Thousands of school children
play in the streets during reces,
because of no school Fairgrounds.
Salaries Too Low.
3. Glasses are being held in halls
easements, auditoriums, etc.
10. School budget is reviewed and
reduced by four different bodies
the Board of Education, the Dis
trict Commissioners, Bureau OF
Budget and fongress.
Z II. Minimujh teachers salary in
| confinses On Page rt0o.