Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-01
Urge Caution in Preparing
Program to Avoid Destroy
ing Previous Progress.
TRADE EXPERIENCE HELD
REQUISITE OF TEACHER
Suggest Mill Type of Building as
Most Valuable and Efficient
Structure.

A general review of the occupational
situation in Washington and a list of
suggestions and recommendations for
the setting up of an efficient vocational
education system in the public schools
Is contained in a 50-page report made
by the Federal Board for Vocational
Education to the Board of Education's
special citizens committee on vocational
training here. Copies of this report
chairman of the committee, for dis
tribution to and subsequent study by
his associates.
In offering recommendations for the
Improvement of the National Capitals
vocational education system the Federal
board has treated the occupations in
three general classes-home economics,
trade and industrial, and commercial.
A fourth study was made under the
tional rehabilitation.
In treating the trade and industrial
portion OF the vocational program, the
Federal board urges extreme caution
In dealing with the program in order
to avoid destroying the progress, which
already has been made. Its very first
suggestion is that the improvement
policy should be zone Of constructive
changes rather than ill-advised attempts
to accomplish everything at once" It
Is suggested further that vocational
schools be relieved of the handicap of
being expected to receive troublesome
and sub-normal pupils who have failed
to make good in other schools; that a
probationary period should be set I'D
for prospective vocational pupils to
make certain that they will profit by
the specialized work, and that 1t should
be made clear to all school officials
that vocational schools are in no sense
to be regarded as the "last resort" be-
fore sending pupils to ungraded schools.
Qualified Instructions.
In this same line and under the
general review Of the vocational situa-
ton here the Federal board declares
that the first requisite OF competent in
StructorS in the vocational schools
should be the instructors own employ
ment record, which before he be APP
pointed, should prove thorough compe-
tency based on trade or field expert
ence. Besides the actual teachers, the
Federal board insists a successful vo-
cational program must be headed by
an equally qualified supervisor working
Immediately under the superintendent
Of schools.
Discussing buildings and equipment,
tons for vocational and trade schools
should be suitable for the work to be
performed. The loft or mill type of
building, with partitions which can be
easily and inexpensively moved or taken
down, Is urged as a valuable and eff
Gent trade school building. It is rec
commended further that vocational
schools should be located In the down
town district.
Cites Over-Equipment Danger.
Great care is urged in the selection
OF equipment, and 1t is pointed out
tnere Is danger OF over equipping the
Recognition of the responsibility Of a
vocational school for placing students
In employment in addition to giving
them the training they need. also is
urged by the board.
Under general comments, the Fed
eral Board declares that in Washing
ton there seems to be undue reverence
for and emphasis upon the value of a
college preparatory training in the high
schools" The board points out further
the lack in the Washington school
system Of proper provisions "for adj
vtsing and for readjusting the school
careers Of active, energetic youths to
whom the routine of the traditional
school program does not appeal"
The board strongly recommends ade-
quate training In Vocational, CONNER
cial education and sets forth In its re-
port q list Of fundamental requisites.
It points out that there Is occupational
needs for such fields as telegraph mes
sengers, Office boys, sales girls, wrap
pers, store cashiers and other junior
ONCE and store workers under IS years
OF age. Part-time class training is
urged for this group.
Evening Glasses Advocated.
Evening classes are advocated for
small store managers and statesmen, Of
nee clerks IN traffic, crediting and pur-
chasing departments; operators Of office
appliances, stenographers, bookkeepers
and general clerical workers. Full-time
schooling Is recommended for those
who want to prepare for a specific kind
OF ONCE or store employment or to gain
further knowledge of some particular
kind OF office or store work. To pro-
mote such training the board recon-
mends plain building In which ac-
counters and offices and even show win
dows, should be built.
This report Is based on an actual sur
vey Of working conditions, occupational
fields and vocational education accom-
modations in the District Of Columbia.
The survey was made by the Federal
board at the invitation of the Board of
Education through its secretary, Harry
o. Hine. In his invitation, Mr.. Hine
suggested the report be made to Mr..
Colpoys, as chairman Of the special cit
liens committee. With copies of the
report now in their hands, the special
committee will call a meeting in the
near future for study of the document
and further action in framing its own
program.
nEMiARAIM 2 nnEM