Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-05
Society News
By Selwu Rooseyelt

r.
When American citizens have
to spend most Of their lives
overseas for the government or
for business firms, how do they
solve the problem Of educating
their children to be effective
United States citizens?
An attempt to ind an answer
has been made by retired for
eign Zserviee ofiicer Richard
Boyce, who with some of his
colleagues, has formed the Edu-
cational Consulting Service.
Non Profit Group
This non-profit organization
offers independent, professional
consultation on the problems Of
educating the children Of Amer
leans living outside the United
States. It is under the supervi-
sion Of the executive director.
Mr.. Clarke Slade. who has had
IS years experience as headmas-
ter Of a boarding school and as
an educational consultant.
Mr.. Boyce, who is president Of
ECS, has seen the need for such
a service for many years. During
his career as a diplomat in the
British West Indies. Canada,
Mexico, Spain. Peru. Cuba, ia
pan and Australia, he was faced
with the problem OF educating
his own two children.
Every parent in a situation
such as my own has sooner or
later TO make q decision as to
whether or not he wants his
child to grow up a product Of
foreign schools. And II he Is
going to send his child back
home-just which school is best
suited for him." Mr.. Boyce said.
"It is all very well for someone
such as former Ambassador to
India Chester Bowles to make q
point Of sending his children to
Indian schools. thus demonstra-
ting his friendliness toward that
country. And no doubt this was
q broadening and interesting
experience for them. But that is
very likely the only time Am
bassador Bowles' children will
not be attending American
schools" he said.
Mr.. Boyce does not deny the
educational value Of travel and
exposure to different cultures,
but he feels that the conflicts
and troubles for children are to
be considered as well as the cul-
tural gain.
Pottern Changes
For example, the pattern Of
o foreign service officers career
requires moving every two or
three years, which for the chill
dren means changing schools
frequently. This involves differ
emit academic systems. Ian
guages. rules Of conduct, subj
ects of study, and most import
ant Of all for a growing child,
finding place for himself with
in already established groups.
There are some countries
where the facilities are made
quate according to our scholastic
standards. And in countries
where the schools are excellent,
many are not designed TO equip
an American child with the
things that, will insure him. a.
successful life In America.
Even children who are in
American schools abroad are
faced with the same handicaps
Of lack Of continuity" said Mr..
Boyce. land they, too have seri-
GUS problems Of adjustment rpon
their return to the States"
Mr.. Boyce said that naturally,
most parents want to keep their
children with them as long as
possible, so that the bulk of the
inquiries and requests for serv-
ices come from parents Of chill
dren IL years old and over.
Its Functions
To assist them the Educational
Consulting Service performs the
following functions:
!. Arral1geS to test children
at distant points with the same
"sampling" tests widely used in
United States public and private
schools.
2. Gathers together q total
school record" of children who
have frequently changed schools
and types Of instruction.
8. Analyses the above informa-
ton on an individual basis and
1nterprets to parents what can
reasonably be expected of their
child. and then tries to interpret