Evening star., 1923-02-26

dashed over the sea wall into George
ened when the radiator Of the car
and the uncontrolled car went over
trict, the committee believes that in
creased appropriations are necessary
as follows:
For improving the lighting of
school buildings.
For replacing the equipment of the
manual training high school.
For replacing equipment in COM
mercial departments in high schools.
For increasing general equipment
to accommodate increased ENROLL
ments in high schools.
For upkeep and physical improve
ment Of school buildings.
Ten-Yenr Building Program.
Aside from the qualifications of the
personnel Of the teaching staff, the
committee feels that adequate school
house accommod oda tions are of most
Importance in any systems Of public
education.
The construction of school build
ings in the District of Columbia was
practically suspended during the pc
riod of the war. Even though build
ing costs have not yet returned to
pre-war standards. the committee be-
lleves that further delay in providing
schoolhouse accommodations is un-
warranted. The education of the next
generation now in our public schools
must not be jeopardiZed through any
failure on the part of those who ap-
propriate school money to provide
adequately for their proper instruc-
ton and training. The committee
recommends that a definite policy be
adopted which shall provide from
year to year sufficient schoolhouse
accommodations, in order that 1t
make it possible for the board of edu-
cation to eliminate part-time instruc-
tion, the use of portable schoolhouseS,
the use of undesirable school build
ings now accommodating classes and
the reduction of the size of classes in
both elementary and high schools to
the standard generally accepted as
desirable.
Larger Units Wanted.
The committee tndorses tho policy
of establishing larger units Of ad-
ministration in the elementary
schools. Economy OF administration
and educational advantages of great
value will be obtained by creating
school units of considerable size.
These units should be sufficiently
large to Justify the employment of
an independent principal who should
be responsible for the direction OF
the school unit. This principal should
be person with the gifts and the
training to assume real educational
leadership OF the school unit intrust-
ed to his direction. The committee
believes that the buildings hereafter
erected should have at least sixteen
n
be SO planned that their extension
into large unit is easily possible
The committee further believes that
in each such unit there should be
assembly hall and gymnasium. to-
sether with adequate play space
In addition, the committee indorses
the policy of providing for manual
training. domestic science and do
mestio art as an integral part OF
such school facilities, wherever
to be instructed.
Beyond Experimental Stare.
The committee believes that the
Junior high schools have passed be-
yond the experimental stage. From
evidence submitted the committee be-
lieves that the organization of public
education into six years Of primary
school work and three years of senior
high school work has received the
approval of the leading educators Of
the country. The committee believes
should be indorsed for the District of
Columbia and should be extended
throughout the school system as op.
portunities arise. Such extensions
should provide not only the customary
academic and scholastic training, but
should include an increased amount
Of vocational and pre-vocationaI work
for both boys and girls who leave
school before completing the senior
high school course.
Fairgrounds Are Urged.
Tho committee recognizes that play
is an indispensable part Of the life Of
all children. Play and recreation are
coming to play larger and larger
part not only in the school life Of
pupils, but among adults. Every COM
muntty that undertakes to meet satis-
provide opportunity for play ana REQ
reation. Every system Of efficient
education looks upon Fairgrounds as
an indispensable part Of the school
program; Modern % schoelhouse con-
nasiums for indoor physical training
but Fairgrounds for outdoor exercise
and training whenever weather con-
ditions permit. Tho committee be.
lieves that the playground facilities
should be greatly Increased.
L1brury Hender1 Great Service.
From tho statements of tho public
librarian, who appeared before tho
committee. 1t is evident that the Pub
lio Library now renders q large and
efficient service and that such sarv-
Ice 10 we'll co-ordinated with tho work
Of the .gohoolS But it 10 also evident
that tho library's resources and
eauipment are altoEethsE inadequate
library service alike Of school and
adult population,
trained, is underpsid and Is insWfa.
Book and other maintenance funds
are meager. But perhaps tho most
striking feature Of tho needs Of the
library 10 that It has no system of
branch libraries such as Is to be
found in comparable cities. With but
the central library and ono suburban
branch library the Public Library
Rrss aSs, Of nas Ct. 1ass fae tn: 9:
the District. The main library 10
centrally situated, is efficiently id.
ninfStered, has a rood chtldren'0 de-