Evening star., 1929-12-04
VOCATION SCHOOLS
SYSTEM IN CAPITAL
DRAWSLABOR FIRE
Board of Education Getting
Brief Today Asking Rad.
icaI Changes.
DISTRICT INSTITUTIONS
ARE CALLED "DISGRACE"
Central Union Outlines Program Of
Betterment for Action of
Officials.

III an exhaustive Drle1 prepared Tor
submission to the Board of Education
this afternoon, representatives of the
Washington Central Labor Union pre-
sent severe condemnations of the sys-
tenn OF vocational training in the Dis
trict public schools and advocated rad
1cal changes which they contend would
put trade education in Washington on
par with similar work in other cities.
After characterizing the four voca-
tlonal schools here as disgrace to the
National Capital" the brief outlines a
program of IA points, which it is as
serted is badly needed here.
washington, with an annual appro-
prlation of about $3.50 900 for all of its
vocational work. it is stated, is SPEND
ing less per pupil than any other COM
parable city in the United States. The
brief points out that the limited num-
Der of teachers in local vocational
schools prevents the development of
course OF study in which the balance
between technical and non-technical
subjects is maintained.
Fine Instructors Lost.
1t is further said that the lack of
adequate salary status has lost to these
schools some of the finest instructors
trained to this work, and the present
salary status continues to fail to at
tract to the work many men and wom-
en- admirably suited for 1t, but for
financial reasons cannot enter this field.
Special emphasis is laid on the lack
mere OF an advisory committee COM
posed Of employers labor representa-
tlves and school people, which, 1t is
said, seriously handicaps the develop
ment of satisfactory program of vo-
cational education, and denies to the
public the safeguard on expenditures
Of public funds
The labor union puts forward the
proposition that expenditures of this
type for vocational education) are
high public service as men and BOYS
not adjusted in industry cost the city
and State and national governments
much more than the cost of proper
industrial education"
ton, the brief states. is to combine
technical training with general aca-
demic education. This has been sadlv
neglected in the District schools anu
Is essential to complete training in
functional citizenship, it is charged.
Cites Abbott. Phelps Schools.
The brief takes up In detail the con.
ditions at the Abbott and Phelps
Schools.
The Abbott School Building is a city
antique, built in 1875, and is not fire.
proof, the labor union states, adding
| that fire has occurred in it, that on
several occasions 1t has been condemn
ed as unfit for school use, but was
patched up and considered good enough
for vocational training. Its heating sys-
tenn is described as "antiquated" and so
inadequate that on even moderately
cold days it Is impossible to heat the
structure. In addition, the brief asserts,
1t is not large enough to house all the
trades taught and some are compelled
to use other buildings.
The Phelps School, for colored chill
dren Is said also to be badly in need
of modernization.
Neither the Abbott nor Phelps Schools
nor the two vocational institutions for
girls has adequate provision for GYM
naStics and sports. an assembly hall or
library facilities, the Board Of Educa-
ton is being told.
Points In Union Brief.
The fourteen points" demanded by
the Central Union follow
Il. The scrapping of the Abbott Vo-
cational School and the immediate es-
tablishment Of a safe and adequately
equipped vocational school for boys.
2: The complete modernization of the
Phelps School.
"3. The complete modernization of the
OCIsLllSOA dAlu Vic SCHOOLS
to make them At places in which to
train our girls.
a. That there be1 secured for the
District of Columbia an advisory board
for vocational education composed OF
employers, labor representatives and
school people and that the advice of
this board and the Federal board be
IS That the course of study main
tain the proper balance between voca-
tional and technical academic and nom
technical academic work.
IS. That provision be made for the
expansion of the work so that in the
near future every pupil may be train
ed in the vocation for which he is best
fitted
~. That the work Of the school be
differentiated to meet the varied and
various mental and physical capacities
and abilities Of the pupils.
Proper School Spirit.
"s. That a proper school spirit be
developed as in all other intermediate
schools in the city so that the pupils
will be proud of the school and Of it's
work.
80 That the generally recognized
principle that no pupil below the
seventh grade status be admitted to q
vocational school be strictly observed.
specialized work, which is of such great
Importance to the community, be
properly organized and conducted by
those specially trained for this work and
in the atmosphere and special sur
roundings which this work requires,
that this work be maintained as q dis
tinct unit in our school system.
al. That provision be made for
physical training and physical educa-
ton in these schools similar TO the pro-
vision made for such training and edu.
cation in other intermediate schools.
"12. That all vocational schools IN
the District of Columbia be provided
with library facilities to meet their
urgent needs.
"l3. That the educational status Of
junior high schools be granted to all
vocational schools.
IA. That special qualifications be
set up for teachers In vocational schools
and that they be accorded the rank Of
junior high school teachers"