Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Sex Education Films
- ~
She|ved in Arlington
In School Controversy

Arlington's controversial sex
education films have been tenn
porarily shelved because Of crit
icism of the films presented to a
State legislative committee.
I'VE of the school administra-
tive staff agree that the children
in our schools cannot, IN the
midst of the present controversy.
view these films with obiectivity."
Supt. T. Edward Rutter said
yesterday. m
A statement from the Arling-
ton School Board expressed re-
gret that the attack has "Seri-
ously impaired" the use Of the
films at present because they
have been made "the object Of
morbid curiosity through politi-
cal maneuVers."
The House Education Commit
tee heard the present school adj
ministration bitterly assailed Fri
day during session in Rich
mond. One of the films used in
the schools, Human Reproduc-
tion," was shown to the legisia-
tors by the critics.
Three Present Attack.
The attack was made by Rob-
ert A. Peck, Republican member
Of the Arlington County Board.
Thomas j. Broyt Ill. Democrat,
and a builder, and w. L. Bragg.
ST., father-in-law of Mr.. Broy-
hin and of Representative Broy-.
hill, Republican, of Virginia. =
Criticism was also directed at
the present report card system
and what was termed the pro-
gressive" method of education in
the county.
The critics asked for laws to
require the State Board of Gen.
Sors to review all films. to be
shown in public schools and to
require use of the competitive
system of grading report cards.
The Arlington delegation in
the legislature expressed surprise
at the committee session. each
member saying HE had not been
invited to attend.
Visit To Schools Urged.
Mrs. Edmund D. Campbell.
school board chairman, said the
board sent a telegram to the
House Education Committee in
viting its members to visit the
local schools.
ITO use school children and
the school curriculum as a politi-'
cal football is a serious matter 4
Arlington parents are shocked
at the report that a handful Of
disgruntled citizens are seeking
to involve you in their maneuver
to disrupt Arlington's fine school
system" the telegram declared.
Mr.. Rutter denied a charge by,
Mr.. Peck that the films were
shown to pupils two years before
parents saw them. 1e.1Ia 4
He said use both the mas sad
the present report card systen1s
resulted from a grass Eoots"
movement of parents.
The sex education films were
under attack last September and
q special grand jury was, con-
vened to determine whether lisa
of them violated State laws By
tending to corrupt morals.
The jury found no violation of
laws after viewing the films.
Mr.. Rutter said DR.. Harold
Jack, State Supervisor Of Health
and Physical Education, told him
the film is distributed by the
State Department of Education
to school officials or schools that
have responsible school health
education departments"
Dr. w. H. DUR, supervisor of
the Bureau of Teaching Mater
ials of the State Department Of
Education, had told the commit
tee the film shown the legisla-
tors is not on the list Of school
movies approved by the State.
School Board members told re-
porters in special press con-
ference that the board has no
official policy on report cards
but has permitted the present
system to evolve through co-op-
Grafton of the school admins
tration and the parent-teacher
associations.
Cites Parents Backing.
All Junior and senior high
schools in the county use the
traditional alphabet grading sys-
tenn on report cards, they said.
Two elementary schools use this
system, II use a modified alpha
bet system % for outstanding,
s for satisfactory and DF for
having difficulty and q use the
narrative reporting system.
I'm each school the parents
participated in the decision as
to which reporting system would
be used" DR.. E. r. Draheim. a