Evening star., 1934-12-12
SCHOOL ADVANCE
TOLD EDUCATORS
DR.. BaIIou Paper Outlines
Experiments Here in
Character Study.

Recent outstanding progress In edu.
eational planning, legislation and edu-
cational methods were outlined this
morning In q series of brief talks to
representatives of Il States, the Dis
trict Of Columbia and Alaska, attend
ing . conference called by the Joint
Commission on the Emergency in Edu-
cation.
Notable among the presentations was
. description OF the character educa-
tion experiment here, written by Supt
Of Schools Frank w. Ballou and read
to the educators by Asst. Supt. BERTHE
Backus.
Or. Ballou said the program is "a
systematic attempt to establish char
acter training as one of the funda-
mental outcomes Of systematic educa-
ton"
New Deal Held School Aid.
The New Deal has brought increased
support for Pennsylvania public
schools, wrote Carmon Ross, president
OF the Pennsylvania State Education
Association, who was unable to attend
the conference.
II believe the situation in Pennsyl-
vania is looking better for public edu-
cation" he stated THE general feel
ing seems to be that a change in ad-
ministration of many years of Repub-
licanism to New Deal Democracy will
mean increasing support for education
by this State"
James H. Richmond, State superin-
tendent of public instruction for Ken
lucky, said: within two and a halt
years the cause of education in Ken
lucky has been advanced almost q
generation" He attributed the prog
ress to passage of a new school code,
which discards outworn statutes; the
imposition Of a sales tax, which has
nearly doubled the schools financial
support, and by the Inauguration OF
free text books.
Other speakers included ]. B. Ed
monson, dean of the School of Educa-
ton. University of Michigan; Agenes
Samuelson, Iowa State superintend-
ent of public instruction; Walter D.
Cooking, Tennessee State commission
er of education; T. H. Harris, Louisiana
State superintendent of public instruc-
ton; w. w. Trent, West Virginia State
superintendent Of free schools, and
c. J. Heatwole, secretary of the Vir-
rinia Education Association.
S50,00O,O00 Declared Needed.
Although Federal emergency aid Is
needed by schools in 80 States to
prevent early closing this year, con-
ditions throughout the Nation show
q slight improvement over last year,
Charles A. Lee, retiring president of
the National Council OF State Superin-
tendents and Commissioners Of Edu-
cation, reported to the conference last
night.
He estimated S50000,000 will be
needed to keep the schools open for
the full term. His conclusions were
based on results OF a QUESTIONABLE
answered by At State superintendents
Of education.
Lee, who Is superintendent of
schools in Missouri, said teachers
salaries have increased slightly. but
in. 80 States, yearly stipends of less
than $500 are being paid in some in
stances.
He said the drought struck the
severest blow at education during the
past year. and had 1t not been for this
enemy the situation would have been
greatly improved.
Is States in Worse Condition.
The educators were told that 18
States reported their need for Fed
eral emergency aid as much greater
than last year, and only reported
their needs were less.
Lee urged a comprehensive long
term planning with or without legis-
iation" to assure suitable education
program for the future, and four
point emergency program. The four
points were:
/. Organization of committees of
lay leaders who would work for edu-
cational movements.
2. Federal emergency appropria-
tions to provide normal terms of
schools in districts whose terms other
wise would be short.
3. Appropriation of Federal funds
10 reflnance the bonded Indebtedness