Evening star., 1935-12-05
VOCATION SCHOOL
SYSTEM URGED AS
CRIME DETERRENT
Program of IL 0bjeCtives
Given School Board by
E. J. Murphy.
PROPONENTS HOPING /
FOR APPROPRIATION
Committee of District Education
Association Offers Plan.
Needs Outlined.

A definite plan for the establish
ment Of a system of public vocational
and occupational schools to train un-
skilled workers for skilled trades and
at the same time combat both un-
employment and criminal or juvenile
delinquency was proposed to the
Board of Education yesterday by q
committee representing the District
of Columbia Vocational Education As
sociation.
z. J. Murphy, president. presented
program with II objectives and
asked that the board consider it
prior to the next session Of Congress,
with the hope that funds may be
provided to place the plan in opera
tion.
Murphy was accompanied by Miss
Louise MCGUIRE, director Of welfare
work for the Juvenile Court; Miss
Patricia Morss of the Board of Public
Welfare. John Locher of the Central
Labor Union and Mrs. Harvey w.
Wiley, former president of the D. C.
Federation Of Women'S Clubs.
Nee0 Outnneu Dy IWOs
Miss MCGUIRE and Miss Morss out
lined the need for vocational and
occupational schools as an aid to
the work they are compelled to do.
Mis- MCGUIRE pointed ont that some
TOO charges of the court, past Is
years Of age, are kept at home while
on probation, with little opportunity
to learn useful trades unless they are
placed in industrial homes or reform
schools.
Miss Morss said some 1900 chill.
dren, most of them past 13, who are
parents, are under the supervision
Of the Board Of Public Welfare, with
out adequate opportunity to prepare
themselves fer earning livelihood.
Both women and Mrs. Wiley pleaded
for an opportunity for these young
sters to remain at home and at the
same time be given courses Of train
ing that will assure their employa-
bility.
Committee Creation Asked.
Murphy asked the board to set up
a committee on vocational education
to study the problem and to secure
the interest and help Of employers,
labor and the public.
Among the points he outlined are
greater variety of vocational edu-
cation, to be determined upon the
actual needs for training and outlets
into employment; establishment Of
separate central vocational schools
for boys and girls. separate pre-
vocational or occupational schools
from the vocational group, limiting
enrolment to those actually interested
and with the ability to learn a useful
trade, extension of the training course
to both day and night classes and
special regional schools for problem
or mentally backward children.
The committee asked that an en-.
tirely separate system Of such schools
be maintained, with appropriations
for both day and night divisions. to
be administered as a unit comparable
to the high school system at present.
Three-Year Courses Planned.
Instructors would be drawn directly
from the skilled trades and their
appointment would be determined
upon their ability actually to in
struct in the line of training sought
by the pupi6. Three-year courses
would be offered, with a diploma to
be given at the end Of that time.
",rhis program is essential" Murphy
said, ''in order that the District might
be equipped and prepared to take
advantage of Federal funds appro-
priated specifically for vocational eduG
cation as provided under pending
legislation" Il
The board deferred action until its
members can study the report and
recommendation. Murphy was as
sured, however. he and his associates
will be called upon to help the School
Board when the appropriation bill
hearings are held by congressional
committees.