The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-29
MIND TEST:
ALSO IS
URGED
Superintendent Points Out
Benefits to BE Derived From
Proposed System.
BY GEORGE FRANKLIN.


Physical examination of each
child when entering school and
the employment Of . psychologist
60 study child mentality and de-
termine the proper educational
course for backward children in
Washington's public schools are
Endorsed by DR.. Frank w. Ballou,
superintendent, as needed addl-
tons to the present school sys-
TEN.
Cites Plans Advantages.
Through the first. he declared, it
will be possible to check in in
cipiency many ailments which later
become chronic. such as defects in
hearing and eye sight. and the
tendency to develop tubercular con-
ditions.- The value of the psycholo-
gist's work lies. he points out, in
determining the obstacle to mental
activity and taking advantage of
corrective possibilities.
Speaking from my personal ex-
perience," said DIR. Ballou, I'm
convinced that q physical examina-
ton OF children should be made
when they commence their educa-
ton. was sixteen years of age
before 1t was discovered I had de-
fective eyesight.
During these years I suffered
from severe and protracted head.
aches. Finally it was suggested
BY a physician that they might be
que to defective vision, and an ex-
animation proved the correctness
OF this view. Now the question is,
how many "Rallous" are there
among the $4,000 children in the
city's public schools?
1t is quite true we have our
staff of medical men who visit the
schools. Last year, I believe, the
reports show that 1000 children
were examined by them and recon-
mendations made as to treatment.
But these examinations are rarely
made until it has been discovered
BY the teacher that the victim is
In need Of medical aid. Were all
children given a physical examina-
ZION on entering school and a
physical chart card which they
grades, with subsequent physical |
examinations at stated times. I am
sure disorders Of all kinds would |
pc discoVtred while incipient and |
amenable to treatment"
Outdoor Schools Discussed.
Various efforts to establish an
extended system of fresh air |
schools as an adjunct to the pub |
lie schools where children diseov-
cred to be tubereular could be |
taught under the best possible sur /
roundings have been made. Re- |
viewing this feature DIR. Ballou |
stated that the physical examina- |
tons at regular periods would |
detect the tendency to develop |
such conditions before the child |
had fallen victim to the dis |
ease. proper hygenic treatment |
gould then be depended upon to |
check 1t. he said, thus eliminating |
70 a great extent the necessity for |
the, fresh air school to a great |
I'm number of cities the fresh |
air school has been developed far |
ssiI anything attempted here"
Tor instance. such schools are main |
tanned as a part of the public school |
system, and the pupils are not only |
taught in open air classes, but are |
provided by the school board with |
three properly balanced meals each |
day. On visit / paid the schools |
j found they were doing effective
work in building up the physical
condition of the children while the |
latter were covering the regular |
school course. 1t was an extremely |
cold day but I found the children |
cloaked and hooded and apparently |
as comfortable as those attending |
classes in the regular schools
lf~ provisions are made for the |
physical examinations ! feel GER
tain it will not be necessary to |
establish such fresh air schools here. |
OF course it will be necessary to |
maintain some of them until the re-
suits of the proposed system Of
physical examination can be
realized.
Psychologist Plan Defeated.
Efforts to secure an appropria-
ton for the employment of a
psychologist, as an assistant super
iptendent of schools, who will have
Supervision of the mental examina
ton of children, have twice been
defeated after having been sane.