Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-24
THREE GRADESGET
POOREST TEACHERS,
EXPERT DECLARES
Arouses Controversy by
Claim That Schools Main
tain Dumping Ground.
FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH
YEARS HELD NEGLECTED.
Prof. Earhart Says These Often
Constitute Pupils Last
Schooling.

Constitute Pupils Last
Schooling.
Charges that the fourth, fifth and
sixth grades of schools in the United
States are becoming "a dumping
ground for incompetent teachers"
were made by Prof. Ida B. Earhart
Of Columbia University today at a
gathering of women educators holding
administrative posts in connection
with the fourth days sessions OF the
Department of Superintendence, Ma
tional Education Association.
The educators, comprising members
of the National Council of Admins
trative Women in Education, and req
resenting Is States. appeared sur
prised at Prof. Earhart's charge and
several Of them denied the accuracy
of her statement. Others reluctantly
admitted there was much truth in the
assertion. The debate on the question.
together with discussion as to the best
means to remedy the situation. was
spirited.
Prof Earhart reminded her fellow
educators that they have so long
concentrated their efforts on kinder
garten and primary grades and or
junior high school systems that the
vital intermediate elementary grades.
four, five and six, have been ignored.
She called atten ion that at least one
third of the children of the country
do not go beyond the sixth grade and
this trio of units in the 6-3-3plans
should be the strongest instead of the
weakest
Prof. Ella Victoria Dobbs of the
University of Missouri, admitted there
was less attention given the 4-5-6
grades than the others, but appeared
to disagree with the unqualified state
ment of Prof. Earhart.
Need to "Get Busy"
1t was agreed, as the meeting at the
Raleigh Hotel progressed. that edu-
Gators must get busy" on these three
grades.
While this unexpected outburst was
going on at the Raleigh the members
Of the department of superintendent
We're confining their morning session
at the Washington Auditorium to
papers on - Junior High School.
Consisting of Grades Seven, Eight and
Nine"
Promptly at II o'clock the ballot
boxes at the auditorium were opened
and members Of the department OF
superintendent began voting for a
president TO succeed DR.. Frank Y.
Ballou.
While all of the four candidates fer
the presidency are considered able
educators, it seems to be the con
sensus that the election will go TO
Edwin C. Broome of Philadelphia. who
is playing such an important role in
the revision of the curricula, or Ran
dali j. Condor of Cincinnati, who for
many years has made his presence fel-
IN the National Education Associa
tioE.
Southern Men Doomed.
1t Is known, however, that the
members of the department from the
South and Southwest are wagtnG
vigorous fight in behalf of their can
didates, f. Z. Oberholtzer Of Houston,
Tex, and Charles B. Glenn of Birm-
ingham, Ala. 1t has been agreed for
some time that the South should be
served by presidency in the depart
ment, but as yet they have not polled
sufficient strength to swing an elec-
ton.
The Texas delegation Of us are
exceptionally active in behalf Of Mr.
OberholtZer, and they held break
fast in his honor yesterday which
was attended by scores of the edu
Gators. Houston also will make q
bid for the 1927 convention of the
department.
Praise of Schools Here.
A resolution voicing qualification
over the status of schools of the Ma
tional Capital, expressing the belief
that they are coming rapidly to q.
position that promises educational
leadership and predicting they may
finally be found a model system OF
education worthy the emulation OF
every American city" is expected 10
he submitted to the department OF su-
perintendence for adoption at tomor-
rows final session. The resolution also
is expected to state: I'VE are happy TO
observe that the wise directing mind
and the skilled administrative hand In
this undertaking are those OF our col.
league. President Frank w. Ballou.
Other resolutions known to be IN
der consideration by the resolutions
committee for presentation to the de-
partment deal with the following sub
jects:
/. Appreciation over the George
WASHINGTON address made before the
convention Monday night by Presl-
dent Coolidge.
9. Thanks for the courteous CO.
operation afforded the convention by
citizens, officials and teachers or
Washington as well as the high school
cadets who acted as ushers and aides.
Attitude on Child Labor.
8. Affirmation Of the position OF
the department on the subject or
child labor and passage of legisla.
ton preventing the exploitation OF
the children Of America"
4. Requesting public support In the
campaten to eradicate illiteracy.
&. Passage of legislation clearing
the title TO lands granted by Con-
gress for the benefit Of common and
6. Recognition Of the acute" rural
school situation and plea for Its
4. Suggestion that the February
date of the meeting. Of the depart
ment be changed.
5. Support of a health program in
the schools. j..
8. Opposition to Legislaturss dis.
tu,bing the school curricula In the
light of tho Tennessee antt-svolutlon
law.
Urging that economy not be tn
yoked too far In education, Herbert
s. weet, superintendent Of sohooia,
Rochester. n. Y. in an address be-