Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-09-29

liz iiiCtllOS VI llloll uSl1Oll INV
ever is concrete rather than
abstract. The child is given facts
and the teacher helps him to see
their interrelations and how they
fall into categories and to induce
general principles from them.
1T is the business of the school
to surround children with such a
variety of mediums and oppor-
tunities for expression as to, in
sure a more wholesome develop.
ment of their potential capabili-
ties This means a fuller realiza-
ton of self.
ut is the special techniques at
work that bring about in the
classroom an emancipation from
mere Words that provide other
mediums of expression which ele-
vate life to an artistic plane. This
is living"
From his last year book,
brought out in the fall of 1852,
we CLEAN one more thought:
People including children re-
veal their stage of maturity
through behavior every.
thing a person does when fully
understood may be used to tell
something about the person :.
the task of the school is inter.
preting the stage of develop
ment revealed by the student,
to deal with him i'm order that
his maturity level may be adj
vanced."
These are just a few excerpts
from DR.. Broome's philosophy
that will be explained in full in
his forthcoming book. But what
did they mean, when transplant
ed into the day-by-day workings
of school system, to the people
of Montgomery County and their
children?
For one thing many authori-
ties say that our county schools
were raised to the topmoSt rank
not only in the State but in the
nation. Many projects pioneered
here were given worldwide recog.
milton and acceptance.
And always DR.. Broome prac-
tised what he preached. Nothing
new was ever imposed on the
county from above. Each innova.
ton came through action taken
by the people. With guidance
from their leader, they grew and
took each step only when they
were ready for it and conditions
were right.
The record is a long one of
both achievement and growth.
In 1916, year before DR.. Broome
became supervisor, the school
population was 6,936 with 1913
teachers. The salary for white
elementary teachers was $41S,
high school teachers 986, and all
Negro teachers were paid $3.50
annually.
In 1853, the school population
had reached 37,777 with 1920
teachers.
Step by step, DR.. Broome -
|. Remodeled and equipped
the one room school houses to
meet State standards.
2. Set up the consolidated
schools and the transportation
system still used.
8. Began the first junior highs
in 1925 and the 12-year system in
1881.
A. Established kindergartens,
the first in the State. The grad.
ual evolution of this program is
an excellent example of DR..
Broome's method Of setting up
new procedures.
Two schools in the county be.
gan with a parent.paid kinder.
garten program. AS other com.
munities. joined in, the Board OF
Education took over the teachers
salaries. Finally they became a
part Of the total school program.
s. Instituted the junior col
leges in the a m gradual
manner. First ,one grade was
added beyond the 18th, occupying
classroomS in a senior high build.
ing. State aid was obtained. An
advisory committee of citizens
studied the value of junior col.
leges. With a favorable report,
the 14.year system was establish.
ed in 1916. A temporary building
housed the college until it was
given a permanent home in Ia
koma Park. This was followed
by the George Washington Car.
yer Junior College for Negroes
established in Rockville in 1851.
g. Set up the single salary
schedule for teachers which is
based on experience and training
instead Of position or grade
taught.
T. Fathered the Teacher Retire.
ment Plan considered by the
National Education Association