Evening star., 1949-09-25

0IllOO1o 90 NA
rector of education in human re-
lations, is the author Of numer-
Gus educational pamphlets and
1co-author of Group Experience.
the Democratic Way" She trav-
eled extensively throughout Eu-
rope in 1947 on an educational
mission.
At the request of the War De-
partment, DR.. Baxter served as
consultant on problems of ele-
mentary and secondary education
in Germany In the fall of 1947
she met with several women's
groups in the countries of South
western Europe. discussing with
them their social problems and
problems regarding the education
| of their children. Most recently
DR.. Baxter has been associated
with the Children's Bureau of the
Federal Security Agency, working
with Miss Katharine Lenroot in,
the development of plans for a
1850 White House conference.
Diversity Learned in War Years.
"The threat to American living
caused by the infiltration of for
eign ideologies into our way of
thought Is giving concern to peo-
pie. generally. as to whether our
schools are continuing to safe
guard our national ideals" stated
DR.. Baxter. During the war years
our schools to an increasing ex-
tent became centers for child care,
for child feeding and for numer-
GUS other services to children.
Now they must move forward into
this broadening concept of edu-
cational responsibility. co-operat-
ing with the many agencies in
the community which contribute
to the general welfare of families
and children. Schools have a
widened field of activity, but they
have as always the opportunity
for maintaining the cultural as
pirations for the highest Ameri-
can principles and values"
DR.. Baxter likes people, believes
in them and completely trusts the
democratic process. In her book,
Group Experience. the Demo-
cratic Way" she calls attention to
the act Of faith by the teachers Of
Norway in the spring Of 1912 as a
pattern and an inspiration for all
time for those who lead youth.
Two thousand OF these teachers
in that tiny country were unwill-
ing both to submit to. the enemy
and to live in concentration
camps. They set out in small
boats to England with their
charges in order to save Nor
wegian youth from the. indoctrina-
ton Of Nazi youth organizations.
They represented q belief in the
value of human individuals as
basic to. their. act. I'VE who are
school leaders in other countries
must search our hearts to find
such a belief in the quality Of the
educational experiences we are
providing for young people," she
wrote.
"An Instigating Force"
"By serving as an agent for in
terpreting children's needs and as
instigating force for getting things
done for children. our schools will
accomplish far more in the end
than If they isolate themselves and
concentrate on a narrow role of
education" DR.. Baxter told me.
Schools of today must work
closely with all other agencies in
the community. with the home,
with the church and with every
Organization which can benefit
children and their living. Any
thing less than this will prove
futile indeed.
1.-THE classroom should contrib
ute to certain kinds Of social ex-
perience, the home to other basic
and fundamental experiences. and
the church and leisure time Or
ganizations to still other values
which are essential to the happi-
ness and welfare Of children and
youth.