Evening star., 1950-12-03
Schools Plan Survey
To Ascertain Number
OF Job 'Drop-0uts'

Spurred by the increasing num-
Der of school age boys and girls
apply for work permits, school Of
ficials here have begun a study
to find out how many are dropping
out of high school to take jobs.
During November, 862 work per-
mits were issued to persons under
18 years of age, more than double
the number issued during Novem-
ber of last year. Substantial in
creaSes in the number of permits
also were noted in August. Sep
tember and October.
Mrs. Mildred S. Percy, head OF
the guidance and placement bu-
reau for the white schools, said
her office had begun the study.
1--WE still are not too concerned
about the problem, Mrs. Percy
said. But, we remember the days
of World War II when the number
of students dropping out to work
reached alarming proportions"
She pointed out the school sys-
tenn never had made a CITY, wide
study of the number of drop-outs
The public schools division OF
school attendance and work per-
mits reported the substantial in
creases in the number of permits
being issued. In August. 670 per-
mits were issued as compared to
$40 the previous August. In Sep
tember. 806 as compared to 695
the previous September and in
October ISL as compared to AL.
Compared to War Period.
Some school officials said the in
creases could be interpreted only
as the beginning of another pc
riod in employment as was ex-
perienced before and during
World War II. AS defense hiring
expands, more jobs will be opened
to younger persons in the unskilled
fields.
A look at the permit department
records shows some startling
figures.
In the school year 1939-40, be-
fore the war. only 5000 work per-
mitS were issued. In 1940-41, this
more than doubled to $3.50. BY
l941-42 it was up to 1929.
The peak was reached in 1914
As when 28,243 permits were is
sued to persons under 18 years of
age SO they could take jobs.
Many of these boys and girls
dropped out of school at the time
Just how many has not been COM
piled by District school officials
but the number admittedly was
large. Many of the permits were
for part-time jobs, of course, not
affecting schooling.
After reaching that peak, the
number of permits dropped of
until the period from July, 194e
to July. 1850, saw only 6,193 per-
mits issued. Now the number ap-
parently is beginning to climb
again and should 60 far past the
6,193 figure by next July.
Tough Problem Seen.
Fred 2. Hetzel, director of the
local United States Employment
Service office, agreed that the
number of high school students
dropping out to work is going to
be tough problem"
He said the situation was mot
abnormal" yet, but as the de-
fense hiring by the Federal Gov
ernment expands, the effect will,
be felt. Jobs will be opened te
the younger boys and girls now
held by persons who will shift
into defense jobs, he said.
In the District, the compulsory
school attendance law does not
apply to children Is years ano
older. But if under 18 years
they still must get a work permit
The type job usually obtained
by these young workers is in the
department stores, drug stores ane
neighborhood stores. Very few
are clerical jobs. Industry ac-
counts for few. at least in the
Washington area. as this is not
an industrial center.
In other cities of the Nation
the high school age workers are
taken into industry as expansion
takes place. but again usually In
unskilled jobs.