Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-07-13
Parents PLEDGED
Voice in County
School Courses
Montgomery to Hold
Curriculum Session;
100 at Protest Meeting

Parents who are disturbed by
what their children are being taught
in Montgomery County public
schools had assurance today that
they can help decide the courses OF
study.
A protest meeting in Bethesda
last night led to a statement today
by James w. Gill, member of the
Board of Education, that the board
had failed ito take all parents into
it's confidence"
AS an aftermath of last nights
meeting, which three members of
the Board of Education attended,
the board announced that work.
shop for teachers. parents and pro-
feSsional groups will be held
throughout next month to study
curriculum changes.
Night Meetings Planned.
Il believe the meeting Qast night
resulted from failure of the Board
| of Education to take all parents into
its confidence" Mr.. Gill said. I'VE
just haven't kept parents informed
of our detectives, and the quicker
we give out accurate information
and acquaint the public with our
plans, the quicker this board will be
better off,"
The workshop will be held from
9 am. to 4 pm. Mondays through
Fridays, beginning August 2, in the
Rockville Elementary School. School
Supt. Edwin w. Broome announced
plans will be completed soon for
night meetings to accommodate
those parents unable to attend day
sessions.
Mrs. Curtis Walker, another board
member, said much of the criticism
of the present curriculum has re-
suited from the failure of new
teachers to receive proper training
in the new" method of teaching.
The board received several letters
indorsing present teaching methods
and denying charges that the coun-
tvs educational system is radical"
One of the letters, signed by Mrs.
Ruth G. R. Nadel, president of the
Eastern Suburban Area Parent
Teacher Association Study Group,
made the following recommends
tons:
More adequate financial support
of education; elimination of over
crowdlng in schools; better physical
facilities and improvement OF
teacher personnel.
Other organizations indorsing
present teaching methods included
the Leland Junior High School PTA;
the County League of Women Voters
and the County Child Study Group
100 Parents at Meeting.
Mr.. Gill, Mrs. Walker and H
Stanley Slime, school board chair
man, were bombarded for three
sweltering hours by the protests Of
100 parents at Bethesda last night
The parents demanded more en-
phasis on fundamentals like read
in, 'ritin' and 'rithmetic, and lot
less time on rope skipping, jelly
making and bowling lessons"
They also called for the custer
of DR.. Broome as superintendent Of
schools and one suggested, to heavy
applause, that Mr. Slime resign
from the Board of Education.
The board members made little
effort to reply to the criticism, say
ing that they had come to listen ano
not to debate. Mr.. Gill objected
however, to a statement by E. G
Adams, Bethesda real estate oper-
ator, that the people have lost
confidence and faith in DR.. Broome.
Mr.. Adams demanded DR.. Broome's
removal. The board member sale
DR.. Broome is highly regarded by
leading educators.
The patrons discussed at length
their plans to obtain 5000 sigma.
lures to petition calling on the
board to concentrate on basic stud
les and discontinue some of the
"newfangled" instruction.
The parents furthered their or
ganization by choosing John H
Hiser, Bethesda theater owner, q
chairman, and electing the follow.
ing other officers: Robert B. Parke
vice president; Emil Pessagno
treasurer; Mrs. Frances Acton, re
cording secretary, and Mrs. Duncan
Brooks, corresponding secretary.