Evening star., 1940-03-21
Sex Education
In D. {. Schools
Is Condemned
Bourd of Trade
Subcommittee Holds
Program Detrimental


Program Detrimental
Condemnation of the idea of intro
ducing sex education into the Dis
trict school system today was before
the Board of Trades public schools
committee in report from its sub
committee on curriculum.
The report, submitted by Gen.
Amos A. Fries as subcommittee
chairman, was presented to the COM
mittee at luncheon session yester-
day and will be discussed and acted
on at the groups April meeting.
Earlier the committee adopted
another report by Gen Fries empha-
sizing the need for the highest possi-
BILE religious and moral atmosphere
in the public school classrooms. 1t
was contended that the teacher
should be the means of building up
this atmosphere by example as we'll
as precept.
Lively Debate Prompted.
Lively debate was prompted by the
suggestion of Gen. Fries that some
form of credit should be devised to
induce children to take an interest
in religion. The idea of credits, the
general said, however, was incor-
porated in the report not as a recom-
mendation but as suggestion
In connection with sex education,
recently recommended for inclusion
in public school curricula by the
Public Health Service the subcom-
mittee declared it was emphatic"
that no such course should be added
anywhere in the schools" The over
accentuation of sex, which the COM
mittee felt would result from such a
course. would be far more detri-
mental than any possible good that
could come of it."
The report contended that the
ordinary teacher lacks the knowledge
and training to teach sex subjects
to groups of school children and
added that "sex is not a subject
which can be handled in the school,
room generally"
Refers to Earlier Recommendation.
The report also made reference
to the earlier recommendation that
highest moral and religious atmos-
phere be maintained in the class
room. If this is done, the subcom-
mittee contended, it carries with it
the constant teaching of the religious
and moral values Of marriage as a
divine and sacred institution and
that any violation of the moral code
is morally and religiously wrong.
The report said that parents must
give intimate details of sex informa-
ton to their children as will fit their
own children's peculiar adaptable
| ties.
Objection also was made in the
report to a pamphlet by the Public
Health Service on communicable dis
eases, including the social diseases.
Such information, it was stated,
might induce children affected to
attempt self treatment
Supports Physiology Course.
Specific support is given by the
subcommittee to a thorough course
in physiology and to lectures by
thoroughly qualified physicians to
junior and senior high pupils citing
the dangers of these diseases. The
lectures would be given to boys and
girls separately.
DR.. Edgar c. Higbie, head of Will
son Teachers College, emphasized to
the committee the rigid training and
highly selective process employed at
the college. He illustrated by show
ing that much larger percentage
OF Wilson graduates pass the District
examinations than applicants trained
elsewhere. He emphasized that all
candidates were equally unfamiliar
with the examinations.
Chairman George C. Keneipp of
the committee reported that the di-
rectors of the Board of Trade have
supported most of the committees
recommendations for increases in the
school budget to be paid for without
increasing the total appropriations
contained in the bill by reducing the
allotment for the National Guard
Arinory.
Other recommendations.
Among the recommendation were
increased funds for maintenance of
school buildings, instruction for
handicapped children and a site for
an elementary school in American
University Park. The directors re-
fused to support a 100000 request
for new Wilson Teachers College,
but approved $4,000 for plans. They
also would not support an additional
100000 for recreation because of
the unsettled condition" of recrea-
ton in the District.
Some criticism of the directors was
voiced by Adelbert w Lee, who said
he thought they were assuming
powers not given them under the
constitution of the organization.
The directors also have opposed
the Tydings bill, whicn would extend
the number of non-residents now
allowed in District schools without
payment of tuition, unless the bill
would provide Federal funds to pay
their tuition.
Fries Would Burn
Chiid's Report Card
! After Five Years