Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-10-12
Cockri||
Urges Juvenile
Counsel Plan
Fight on Delinquency
Should Begin in First
Grade, She Asserts

Adoption in the public schools
of a juvenile delinquency pre-
vention program beginning with
f1rst-grade students was urged
yesterday by Juvenile Court
Judge. Edith H. Cockrill. =
Speaking at a round-table dis
cussion sponsored by the Junior
Bar Association, Judge Cockrill
said she felt such guidance
should begin as early as possible.
I'VE need to begin earlier"
Judge Cockrill said, because the
age of delinquentS coming before
me has dropped until at present
one-half of those appearing be-
fore me are Is years old or
younger"
In past years, the judge pointed
out, the majority of youngsters
hauled into Juvenile Court were
approximately 16 years old.
Opposed by School Official.
The Juvenile Court Judge was
opposed in her views by Miss
Katherine Scrivener, director of
supervision and curriculum of
the District of Columbia public
schools.
Miss Scrivener said she felt
the introduction of a counselor
in the elementary schools would
be a mistake. She contended
the grade school teacher is closer
to her pupils than an outside
counselor would Le. She said
she believed the teacher, be-
cause of the close relationship
in the younger grades, could be
of more help in molding the
child.
However, Miss Scrivener did
concede that in some cases
classes are so large it is diff
cult for teachers to give indi-
vidual attention where needed.
Under the current setup in
the schools system, student
counSelors are employed only in
the Junior and senior high
schools.
Home Is Primary Place.
In urging an earlier start
toward control of the ever-in-
creasing juvenile problem, Judge
Cockrill stressed that the "pri-
mary place to begin is in the
home"
She said. however, that she is
opposed to any law which advo-
Gates Stricter parental response
bility under pain of fines or in
generation. Such a plan" the
jurist contended, lis not a good
solution"
Judge Cockrill said most juve-
niles appearing before her come
from homes with difficult eco
nomic problems. She asserted
that to Jail the breadwinner or
fine him would just add to an
already aggravated situation.
Imprisonment would not as
siSt the family if the child or
children were left on the street
without help the judge said.
The result would actually be
more neglect"
Urges POSt-SchOOI Program.
While opposing Judge Cock
rill'S views on counselorS for
elementary graders, Miss SERVE
ner urged a continued program
after students leave high school
Especially, she said, for those
waiting for the draft, young
married couples and those not
intending to go to college.
Miss Scrivener also asserted
no funds exist to hire the addi-
tlonal counselorS needed for
grade school pupils.
Judge Cockrill said she
thought a pilot project, which
would tackle juvenile delin-
queLcy problems in small seq
ments of the District, might
help some," but any long-range
program should deal with the
entire community.
Even with an about often
sive," Judge Cockrill said,
we're not going to see any
quick results. Such changes
can't take place overnight"
The round-table discussion,
carried over Radio Station |
WWDC. was moderated by Miss
Charlotte P. Murphy of the