Henderson daily dispatch., 1938-02-11

in the opinion OF A. B. Combs, asso
ciate director of the division of In
structional Service of the Department
of Public Instruction.
"Of course, school people recognize
both the twelfth grade and the nine
months term as desirable, but II II
came to a case of alternatives, be-
lieve by far the great majority would
choose the 18th grade" he said
He had been asked by this bureau
representative which would better
serve the cause of education In North
Carolina. The question has come rap
idly to the front recently and few
DAYS ago the State Grange announced
an additional or 18th grade, as one
of its legislative projects. Governor
Clyde r. Hoey has made a number OF
statements favoring it.
Estimating roughly, Mr.. Combs said
that the 18th grade would cost the
state only about half a million an
nually, basing his estimate on the ne
cessity of about 500 additional teach
ers at average salaries of $1,000
year.
On the other hand, he figured, the
extra month would cost about one
eighth more than the present tota'
cost of school operation, or about 3d.
100000 annually, in round numbers.
He conceded that school teachers,
and their organizations, would doubt
less much prefer frightening of the
school term because such action would
increase their salaries proportionately
while addition of the 18th grade would
add to the number of teachers en-
ployed, but would not bring any in
crease to those already in the profess
sion
One of the prime reasons which
make the 18th grade preferable to
9th month is that such an additional
grade would go far toward bridging
the present gap between graduation
of high school students and their en-
ployment in gainful pursuits, Mr..
Combs said
LAS the age of those entering indus
try increases-and it is the policy OF
the State to prohibit the employment
of younger children-the gap between
graduation and employment widens,"
said Mr.. Combs, land there is cor
respondingly longer period of doing
nothing and therefore much greater
opportunity to fall into shiftless even
criminal, ways.
Shortening this period of inactivity
would be of great value to the State
in decreasing crime"
He pointed out, too, that the 18th
grade would enable North Carolina
graduates to enter college with much
better preparation. He conceded that
the primary purpose of public educa-
ton is not to give every child col
lege education, but he said that this
is an important, though secondary
matter.
Comparing the II years of eight
months each, with II years of nine
months each, he noted that there is
difference of only three months school
training in favor of the latter plan,
the months being 96 for the first and
SO for the second; and this difference
in favor of the longer annual term, he
said, is more than compensated for
by the fact that the child is better able
to master its subjects, the older he
becomes.
Mr.. Combs cited the fact that there
need be no new laws passed to set up
the 18th grade, the only requisite be-
ing a sufficiently increased appro-
priaticn to pay its cost. He said that
careful examination of the law
showed that school officials have the
authority to set up the grade if and
when they have the money. On the
other hand the present school laws
would have to be completely amend
ed and altered to provide for a state
supported nine-months term.