Evening star., 1949-08-04
Sees Times Demanding Training OF
Talented People for National Service

To the Editor of The Star:
When Federal Government decides to in
ject itself into the field Of general education
(Which traditionally has been a local con-
cern though under State controD, it would
seem that it should be done in such way as
to promote the national good. To supply
funds indiscriminately to local groups would
tend to produce an increase in waste and
graft, which in turn would produce an at
tempt by the central Government to control
the expenditure Of the money provided This
control conceivably could be extended to
overall Federal control Of schools.
Now, I believe that the educational re-
quirements of the local schools are best de-
cided and controlled by people who. being Of
the community, know its needs and can Sc
cure the major educational emphasis to be
placed in the most appropriate sphere.
The public school system dncluding the
parochial schools in this general class) serves
this purpose reasonably well.
The most serious weakness of our school
system is that 1t has no provision for special
progress for the most talented pupils. In
day when the national good requires that we
secure and maintain position in the very
forefront of science, industry, etc., We still
have no way Except for few isolated ef
forts) to help the outstanding student to
push along to complete his formal educa-
ton quickly and thoroughly, so that he will
be in a position to make those advanced
studies upon which pre- -eminence in special
lied fields depends.
To use the physical sciences as an ex-
ample, it is required of the scientist today
that he be mathematician (where calculus,
diferential equations, and vector analysis
are to the mathematician as addition and
subtraction to the certified public account
anti. He needs good and comprehensive
knowledge of physical and chemical theory
where electronics, high vacuum technique,
and dynamics Muid thermo, etc., are as
indispensable as plumbers wrenches. All
this mass of learning must be familiar and
easily used to be really useful. Familiarity Is
gained only by prolonged use. Yet, the STU
dent who could be well into mathematical
analysis before his eighteenth birthday is
just completing high school with only a
knowledge of the most elementary algebra
and trigonometry, because the only schools
available to him are designed for his less
gifted fellows who will make their life in
factory or other occupation not requiring ex-
tensive education.
Here is the field in which Federal aid can
best be used in the national Gin fact inter-
nationaD interest. The Federal Government
should establish (say in each congressional
district) a non-graded school in which the
most talented could find the opportunity and
incentive to use their special abilities with
out exposing themselves to the conspicuous
position Of the bright kid in the normal
school, who becomes butt if he doesn't
hold himself to the same pace as his slower
Witted classmates).
This is the work that really needs Federal
help. Leave the public schools in State and
city hands. Open a school system that can
develop the reservoir of exceptional minds,
minds that the country needs If it is to pre-
serve itself in the period to come, a period
when few months delay in making q dis
covery or solving problem can lead to final
defeat. JOSEPH F. WOODS.