Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-09
CHARACTER WORK
EXTENSION URGED
BaIIou Tells Board Consult
ants Will Discuss
FIans Soon.

Extension Of the character educa-
ton experiment to the first, second
and third grades was suggested by
DR.. Frank w. Ballou. superintendent
OF schools, in a report to the Board
OF Education yesterday, reviewing the
progress Of the character program to
date.
He said such an extension, together
with the advisability of installing the
character program in additional
schools during the next school year,
Will be discussed at a meeting of
character education consultants later
this month. Details and final decision
in the matter hinge, however, on
whether Congress decides to appro-
pirate money for continuance of the
experiment. The appropriation was
stricken out by the House, but REIN
stated by the Senate District Com
mittee
"As q result of our experience in
the past seven months of the char
acter education program, We have
come to the conclusion that we ought
to find a way Of extending the pro-
gram to the first, second and third
grades. even If we have to let up
somewhat in the junior and senior
high schools" DR.. Ballou asserted.
Earlier Beginning Favored.
He explained school officials feel the
character training would be more
effective If begun earlier.
DR.. Ballou discussed with the board
members whether the name Char
acter education experiment" was mis-
leading, and concluded by suggesting
the term congressional demonstra-
ton" as more suitable.
The character work is based on the
principle of individual treatment OF
each child and affording the child tht
greatest opportunity to develop his
own capabilities, DR.. Ballou said.
The report filled 10 pages and re-
cited numerous case histories ano
methods used to correct particular
conditions.
At the conclusion of the report, Mrs
Philip Sidney Smith, board member
who first requested that it be rendered.
asked DR.. Ballou to keep the board in
close touch with his plans for the
future
In response to a question by George
Whitwell, another member of the
board, DR.. Ballou said it is too early
to notice improvement in the juvenile
delinquency situation. On February
there were 452 pupils on probation
under Juvenile Court order, and OF
this total, SO were pupils in the eight
day schools In which the character
education experiment is being carried
on, DR.. Ballou revealed.
As a further development Of the
program. DR.. j. Hayden johnson
recommended assignment of adjust
ment teachers to train mal-adjusted
children in the colored Junior high
schools.
Child Labor Issue.
Consideration will be given at the
boards next meeting to the bill re-
Gently introduced in the House by
Representative Mary Norton aimed at
liberaliZing the present District child
labor law to permit theatrical per-
formanceS here by children.
DR.. Ballou spoke in opposition to
the bill, saying it would make the
Board Of Education a censor Of the
moral fitness of each play in which a
child has any part The bill would
require the board to pass on the
morality of the production before the
child could perform. thereby present.
ing great administrative difficulty,
Dr. Ballou declared
Aroused by notification from the
War Department that it would be i'm
possible this Summer to establish
C. NJ T. camp for colored high school
boys in this region, Charles H. Hous-
ton, dean of the Howard University
Law School, served notice he would
fight to the enc for participation OF
Negroes in all phases of the armed
defense of this country"
The board previously had voted to
investigate the possibility of camps for
Washington high school boys. 1t was
informed that students of the white
Washington high schools already are
being cared for in C. M. T. camps and
that it is financially impracticable to
establish q colored camp here.
On recommendation of Mr.. Houston
the board accepted an offer of the
American Legion of sabers for the
captains Of winning companies in
white and colored high school cadet
competitive drills.