The New York herald., 1922-05-18
Pupils Can Embarrass Their
Instructors, Says High
School Man.
OPINIONS MORE GUARDED
Questions of Economics and
Politics Left Unanswered
Now in SchOOlroOms.

work of the Lusk law advisory council
on the qualifications OF teachers has
been the near wrecking of discipline
in those schools where it's maintenance
has been as difficult as it is necessary
Another has been the lowering of the
morale of pupils of inquisitive bent
and of those who derive a large por-
tion of their store of knowledge from
debate and discussion rather than from
recitations.
This opinion was set forth yester-
day by Henry r. Linville, president
of the Teachers Union. as the con-
sensus of the public school teachers
identified with his organization. IL
lustrations of these effects We're made
by Abraham Lefkowitz, an instructor
in the High School of Commerce.
1t was learned that six more
teachers are to appear before the
council next Tuesday to answer to
charges of various sorts, all having
to do with something they have said
in and out of classrooms and all Of
them reported to the council as pos
sibly harboring sentiments of disloy-
atty. Some of the charges, it was
said, have been made anonymously
Others have been preferred over sig
natures.
"Any student Can Complain"
LAS the matter stands now any boy
or girl" flunked by n teacher can make
complaint to the Council direct or to the
State Commissioner OF Education said
Mr.. Lefkowtz. "The teacher having in
Cured the dislike of the pupil. is uncerc-
moniously haled before the council with
out knowing what the charge is nor who
makes 1t. This pupil can make the
charge himself or his parents or another
teacher may do it. 1t does not matter
whether the charge Is true or not. There
IS no effort made to verify the charge
or look into the responsibility OF the ac-
cuser. The teacher appears before the
council and the council decides whether
the teacher is guilty or not.
"The result Is that even III the teacher
Is declared not guilty. the fact remains
that he or she has been before this mys-
terious secret council. His or her pupils
know that the teacher has been before
the board. You can see for yourself the
effect on the pupils. The great trouble
with those responsible for this .egisls-
tion was that they seemed. to think that
high school students do not think. l as
sure these supporters OF the Lusk law
that they are quite in error in this. High
School children do think.
Again. there are classes that have be-
come somewhat famous I'm public school
circles for their rapid advancement In
political economy and civics. The rcpu-
tatior of these advanced classes Is
founded on the freedom of discussion
that the Lusk law stamps out. Before
the Lusk law hung this sword OF Damo-
cles above the teachers head the widest
sort of latitude In discussion was per.
mitted. Pupils asked questions and the
Instructor answered or. IL the question
was too knotty. instructor and pupil
combined in research. At any rate the
answer was obtained. That sort OF
earned knowledge sticks.
"Not so Free with Opinions"
But that is changed now. Instructors
who were accustomed TO discuss eco
Monies and politics with great freedom
ke now refusing 20 do so Let the child
a question that would necessitate
opinion that could be twisted or
bled or construed into thought
a radical mind and the erstwhilr
ai teacher says:
We'll. we will not discuss that now.
hese efficient teachers are afraid
zee their true opinions. They have
responsibilities and sthe usual
4 of self-respect. They will not
anything that win jeopardlze
/ know OF classrooms where dis
was maintained only because the
knew that the teacher was free
rec IL and that no threat agains'
cher was made by the law. That
he has gone for the simple
that into the hands of those
whose presence demanded strict
ne has been thrust a whip that
cher fears"
Iinvlle said the Teachers Union
ng to force the repeal of the
law. He added
are seeking the cooperation OF
hent educators. lawyers and pub
h In n strong drive for the repeal
menacing law. We protest
this advisory council as auto
and prejudiced."
FESSES TRAIN THEFT