The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-11-10

Speaking to an appreciative audi
ence at Charles McKenny Hall
Thursday afternoon. Harold C.
Shearman,. English educational re-
former, explained the major pro-
visions of England's recently en-.
acted Educational Reform Bill. He
said, THE entire social program
as outlined in the Beverage Plan
has reached a stage far beyond
mere paper planning but only the
educational aspect of 1t Is in stat
ute form. Two factors account for
the formulation OF this program be-
fore the end OF the war. its dis.
cussion before the country for two
years and its passage by Parlia.
ment with practically no opposi-
ton. One OF these was the tremen.
dous dislocation of the elementary
school program because OF
the necessity OF evacuating chill.
dren from the cities at two differ.
ent periods Of the war, the forced
use OF unorthodox methods and ma
terials OF instruction and hence a
fresh appraisal of the whole educa-
tional system. The other potent fac.
tor was the influence, of organized
labor, with its long record OF eff.
fort to make education possible for
everyone.
This indeed Is the core OF the
new Education Act. Not only has
the compulsory school age limit
been raised from fourteen to fif-
teen with a provision for increas-
ing this to sixteen as soon as
teachers are available, but after
sixteen one day a week In county
colleges until the age OF eighteen
will be provided for and It will be
the duty OF employers TO make 1t
possible for their employees to at
tend. The present competitive ex-
animation by which IL to Is per
cent OF the bright pupils are Sc
lected at the age OF eleven for en-
trance to high school Is abolished
by the new act and the high school
will be open to all students.
Just how the high schools will
be organized is a matter OF debate.
The traditional, or official, view Is
that there should be three separ-
ate kinds OF schools; what in Eng.
land Is called the grammar school
where the more academic subjects
are taught, the technical school,
and a third modern school of prac-
teal subjects and methods OF teach
ing for those who do not lit into
either OF the first two. Labor or
CARNATIONS oppose this plan. They
argue for one comprehensive high
school, with many types OF courses
ual pupils. Such schools, necessar-
lily larger than those offering a sin
gle type OF course, would afford
fewer opportunities for better paid
administrative positions among the
teaching staff and so are not fav-
ored by all members OF the profes.
sion. But labor believes such
schools would be a distinct bene-
fit by bringing together boys and
girls OF varied interests and abili-
ties. and that they would give ev-
cry person in them an experience
in democratic living. Vocational ed.
ucation as we know 1t would have
no place in the high school. ut is
not says British labor. the bust
ness OF the school to train pupils
for a particular Job. but to develop
as far as may be the capacities OF
each individual
"The Education Act does not de.
fine education merely in terms OF
text books and classes. Medical
service, a part OF the school sys-
tenn since 1908 is to be extended
until ultimately every child will
receive the medical service he
needs. School lunches, now avail
able 10 one out OF five million
children at cost will In three years
be given TO three fourths OF all