Evening star., 1948-12-26
School Officials Study
Barriers 10 Teacher
Exchange Program
By Colt HendIey, Jr.

excluded from participating in the
exchange program" under which
teachers of different countries trade
jobs for a year and school officials
have decided to do something about
it.
School Supt. Hobart M. Corning
revealed yesterday that study is
being made of the legal barriers
which prevent District teachers
from taking advantage of the pro-
gram. Recommendations for changes
in the language of the appropria-
ton acts will follow, he added.
The big catch is that money ap-
propriated for teachers salaries
must be paid only to teachers who,
perform their duties here in the
District And there are several bar
rierS. too.
Headed by DIR. Paul Smith.
DR.. Paul Smith of the Office of
Education is chairman of the com
mittee on international educational
relations which is sponsoring the
program. Members of the commit
tee include leadingseducational or
CARNATIONS in the country such as
the National Education Association.
The program works this way:
A teacher in the United States
takes over the job Of teacher in
England, for instance, and serves
there a year. In exchange, the
English teacher takes over the
classes in the American school.
Each continues to be paid as usual
by their own school system. They
pay their own travel expenses.
England, France and Canada are
in the program at present with the
majority of the exchanging being
done with England.
This school year, 112 teachers
from the United States have
swapped jobs with 112 teachers
abroad, DR.. Smith said. The pro-
gram started in 1916 when IA teach
ers were exchanged. Last year 1875
participated.
Changes in Law Urged.
Only four states and the District
of Columbia find it impossible to
participate because of existing laws,
DR.. Smith explained. They are Ari-
zona, Washington, Nebraska and
Iowa. Moves are under way in these
States to have the legislatures
change the law, he added.
When the program started,
great many Of the States found it
impossible but since then all but
these four and the District have
removed legal barriers.
Miss Margaret r. Pepper, admin
istrative assistant to DR.. Corning,
said she has found at least three
barriers to District teachers enter
ing the exchange program.
First is the ban on expenditures
or appropriations unless used in the
District. The appropriation acts
also specify that the money cannot
be paid to any one who is not a citi-
zen which, in effect, makes it i'm
possible for any one but a citizen
to teach in the public schools here
Furthermore, the District code
states, a teacher must pass the
examination prescribed by the Board
! of Education.
Idea Formed Three Years ago.
DR.. Corning said all this could be
solved by inclusion of language
which would make exceptions to
allow participation in the exchange
program. This is how the other
States have done it.
The exchange idea for teachers of
the lower grades, was advanced by
committee of British educational
organizations and the British Minis
| try of Education three years ago
The thought was that in this way
international understanding could
be taught to the average family
which is normally untouched by
world developments.
( For example, the city of Leeds has
adopted" Oklahoma City as a re-
suit of an American teacher spend
ing a year in their schools. More
than $50 persons from Leeds are
corresponding with Oklahoma City
residents now. A Texas teacher has
inspired correspondence between
1.700 Texans and a small city in
England.
The professional growth" of a
teacher who spends year in a
foreign country really living among
the people is an important factor to
be considered, DR.. Smith pointed
out. The result usually is a better
teacher.