Evening star., 1948-10-12
Letters to The Star
Plus Values in D. G. Schools

RUS ValueS IN -. -. ScnOOIS
To the Editor Of The Star:
The parents Of children attending District
Public Schools, and also Interested friends,
win be invited to visit in the local schools
soon-on Open House Day. Most schools are
open for observation any time by simple ar
rangement with the building principal. sug-
gest that the critics Of the school system avail
themselves Of these opportunities. It Is my
experience that parents are enthusiastic when
they have seen the program Of . typical day.
Invariably misconceptions formed by the
children's reports Of their activities are cor
rected.
For example: It is often said that Kinder
garten children just play" So they do, but
| 1t is purposeful play during which they learn
to share with others, to follow directions, to
be responsible for specific duties and, knowing
these things, they gain maturity which gives
them notable advantage over children who
enter school for the first time at six. Again,
it is popular concept that first grade children
do nothing but color But visiting at school,
the parents find that pictures are reading
checks: the children being limited in their
independent abilities, use this medium to
demonstrate ability to follow printed instruc-
tions.
Parents Of children in other elementary
portation, foods, local geography etc. Observ-
ing the class In action, they find the social
study is central motif from which radiate
problems in arithmetic spelling, language. ETC..
all motivated and made meaningful by q CO.
ordinated interest.
Children Studied for Grading.
The cases of children whose achievements
are below grade level are possibly similar to
ra1hl - ho.
cause they are different from the average.
Nationally standardized tests are administered
yearly in District schools to obtain objective
measurement of pupils standings in arith-
metic, spelling and reading. The scores thus
disclosed follow the normal curve Of distribu-
ton. The majority rate in the proper grade
level range, minority fall below standard
and gratifying number measure one, two and
three grades above their chronological age
levels. These latter have not been mentioned
in any recent comments.
It is a practice in Washington to delve
thoroughly into reasons for failures. A child
failing to maintain progress commensurate
with his ability is studied by the teacher, the
principal special teachers who do remedial
work and representatives of the Research De-
partment. Conferences with his parents are So
licited and an individual corrective program
is planned for the child. He may be referred
to the Child Study Clinic for help with his
emotional problems. This Letter to the Edi-
tor" medium is too limited to list causative fac
tors disclosed by such studies. Sufnce 1t to say
that at times the difficulty lies in the home
where the child spends 10 hours each day
and where he has had five years OF experience
before entering school.
Teachers Well Qualified.
~A~,,I ~ a. g.
of weak teaching exist. However, the quail
fcations for Washington teachers are high.
The philosophy Of education upon which the
takingly evolved by the teachers, supervisors,
directors as q true exposition of their f,nda.
mental beliefs and goals No haphazard ap-
proach is tolerated. However, teachers enjoy
considerable freedom as to the manner in which
their work is presented. The technique may be
formal or free according to conviction of the
individual. Any approach must be justified
by results In the academic and social growth
Of the class. 1t is in this latter field that most
striking contributions are being made in our
city. Less adapted to objective measurement,
1t Is equally incalculable In the measurement
Of its value to America. Childrens expert
ences in school are planned and devised to de-
velop their independence, responsibility, hon.
esty, ambition, consideration and respect for
themselves, for others, for authority and for
property.
This is my expression of satisfaction as par
ent Of children attending District schools and
Of my pride in being teacher in the District
Public Schools. It is is submitted in the opti-
mistic hope that some one will refute H L.
Mencken's statement: But no one familiar
with the operations of the human mind could
have expected this direct and categorical evi-
dence to shake anything so tenacious as pop
ular delusion." PARENT-TEACHER.
Virginia Creepers on the Pan
To the Editor OF The Star
Amen to everything Exhausted Motorist"
said about slow drivers. He should be thank
full that he doesn't have to worm, pry, and
blast his way through the swarms of Virginia
creepers that infest Lee boulevard morning
and night.
No, there Is no law on the statute books
that compels the Virginia creepers-mechan-
lied snails-to act that way. Their perform
ance behind the wheel stems rather from the
fact that they are unalert, irresponsible, in
competent, and obviously not very bright. If
that isn't enough charge the rest to the in
grained good manners Of the native Cor trans
planteO Virginia lout
I fervently second the plea for minimum
speed limits but suggest that maximum and
minimum limits should be identical-just the
opposite of the chap who wanted q single stand
ard Of morality, and that low one, since OBJ
viously q single standard, and that fairly high
one, would be better. Why don't we get busy
ard f0rce fha 1eoiS1atnrc Richmond tn estah-