Evening star., 1923-01-01

the school history Of the calend
The past year was period of some
progress for the school system.
Standards for a forward looking edu-
cational program were established.
An active interest was created in
more nearly adequate compensation
for teachers. Continued efforts We're
efficiency through adequate congress
sional appropriations. Congress
manifested unusual interest In school
conditions.
Preparation for Future.
However, the year was largely one
of getting ready to do something.
Whether il shall be counted as one
of the years of real progress depends
more on what may subsequently hap
pen than on what took place during
the year. If the teachers salary bill,
the compulsory school attendance
and school census bill and the bills
which are being prepared by the joint
congressional committee looking to-
ward a reorganization of the school
system are enacted into law the year
will have been fruitful. On the
other hand if this proposed legisla =
counted among the years Of little pers
mdnent progress.
Whatever the future may have in
store. the officials firmly believe, those
interested in better education for
Washington must steadfastly work
for the enactment of legislation neces-
sary to make possible improved con-
ditions and for appropriations COM
mensurate with the needs of the
school system. The united public
support which was so conspicuous
during the past year must continue
if improvements are to be secured.
Even though no legislation was
enacted by Congress, many changes
of an administrative nature were
made during the year. These changes
were designed to improve instruction,
clarity and systematic administra-
tive practices, TO secure the unity of
purpose and action among admins
trative officials and to improve and
eliminate undesirable conditions.
Increase in Enrolment.
The year was marked by large in
creases in enrolment, particularly in
the high schools. Early in March
there were 64.314 pupils on the school
rolls. The latest statistics in No
vember showed that the number had
passed the $1,000 mark. thereby es-
tahlishing d new enrolment record.
Despite the great enrolment incre-
ment. but little relief from the over
crowded conditions was provided.
Fifty-two ClaSsroomS were added to
the elementary school through addi-
tions completed during the summer,
but they served only TO eliminate
part-time classes and the use of
portables in the communities in
which they are located. These addi-
tional facilities include the new Rich
ard kingsman School and the annexeS
TO the John Eaton. Buchanan, Mon
roe, Mott, Wheatley and Deanwood
schools. all of which were formally
dedicated during American education
week, December . to g.
Economy Program HinderS.
Forced economy under which the
government is operating was felt
seriously by the schools when the
original estimates of the board of
education were cut draStically by the
Commissioners and the budget bu-
reau. When the school budget was
submitted to Congress on December
it was minus more than S3.000.000 of
the original amount asked for by the
school board. The following day a
movement was launched by the civic
bodies of Washington through rep
reSentative committee of five headed
by Henry H. Classic TO have Con-
gress reinsert in the school budget
all of the items deleted by the Com
missioners and the bureau of the
budget.
the school board occurred during the
year. Early in January Daniel A.
Edwards. then president of the board.
resigned at the request of the justices
of the District Supreme Court fol-
lowing criticisms by members of the
District subcommittee on appropria-
tions of the House for his connec-
tion with the Columbian Informa-
tion Bureau. which advertised it
would furnish essays for school chill
I,Nr II
vacancy created by his resignation
was filled April when Daniel J.
Callahan was sworn in as his sue
cesSor on the board. In June Mrs.
Susie Root Rhodes. after ten years
of continuous service on the board,
resigned and was succeeded by Mrs.
Raymond b. Morgan.
Library Extension.
One of the important actions of the
board during the year was the ap-
provaI January is of the establish
ment of branch public libraries in the
public schools in conformity with a
plan for extension of the library sery-
ice originally conceived about ten
years ago by DR.. George F. Bower
man. librarian of the Public Library.
| Shortly afterward the board adopted.
a resolution providing access TO and
use of the school branch libraries by
all persons. regardless of creed or
color On March Is the board re-
yoked that part of the resolution per-
hitting the indiscriminate use of the
school libraries, following widespread
| opposition.
! Early in February the Piney Branch
Citizens Association condemned the
use of Muzzey's American History IN
| the high schools as wholly lacking
| to inspire patriotism in the young
and tending to spread class hatred IN
America" at the same time launch
ing a campaign to have 1t Withdrawn
The board investigated the eharges,
but has not taken any ofhcial pupllc
action. and the book is still in use III
| the high schools.
Protest Against sings.
Ministers and church ORGANIZATIONS
opposed to the holding of community
concerts in the Central High Scnool
| audiforium on Sunday night on the
ground that they conflict with Teh,
gious services in the churches lhitialt
| a movement in December 70 nay
| them abandoned on the Sanpatn, ., ny
hour changed. A committee OF ciersS =
| men appeared before the boaro anu
| formally lodged the protest but me
| school governing body failed 70 IAN
| action and the concerts are pelils
| continued. ,;ua+io,
tho washington High School Cadet
| Corns under the leadership OF 1ol
| Wallace M. Craigie, U. ). A. hao one
| of the most successful years in its
history, from every standpoint. The
wear saw the cadet body expand
greatly in personnel, while the physi-
cal and technical military training
| given the boys in the opinion OF the
| school authorities. was greatly I'M
| proved.
The annual competitive drill of the
cadet corps, the greatest event of the
year in the organizations activities