Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-04

community, foStered and per-
petuated system of au-
thoritarian doctrines not in
accord with the changing pat
terms of America.
Perhaps, the widespread
publicity given to lags in
achievement among Negro
pupils will shock some Negro
administrators into a realiza-
ton that altering statistics
concerning the achievement of
pupils and conducting re-
hearsed pupil performances
before the public is poor
substitute for real achieve
ment based upon the capacity
to learn, among Negro pupils.
These facts and many other
weak points will have to be
accepted and realized by the
Negro, himself, before
I'VE the people" take those
giant strides toward an educa-
tional system second to
none"
Negro Teacher.
X
For the information of Mrs.
Bessie Cramer and others, for
many years the teachers in
former Division 2 here in Wash
ington have sacrificed their
vacations and much of their
income to further improve
their professional qualifica-
tions and sought greater cul-
tural opportunities by regularly
attending colleges and uni
versities in many of the more
democratic cities of the United
States and even foreign in
situations and have enjoyed
viewing most of the famous
Broadway productions.
Many Of these teachers have
family and racial heritageS
of which they are very proud
because of loyal and outstand-
ing contributions that have
been made in all professions
of human life locally, nation
ally and internationally.
Speaking of standardized
tests. teachers of former Divi-
sion 2 have been administer
ing and correcting tests, and
using said information gained
for grouping of pupils and for
giving individual and group
instruction long before the
days of integration.
TheIma L. Baltimore
The following is a copy of
a letter sent by John A. Remon,
president of the Federation of
Citizens Associations. repre-
senting 81 local organizations,
to the Davis committee investi-
eating conditions in District
schools:
THE Federation of Citizens
Associations of the District of
Columbia, having repeatedly
requested an investigation of
the District of Columbia pub
lie schools system. is most APP
preciative of the efforts Of your
committee. :. You and your
staff have spent many hours
securing and co-ordinating in
formation which had previ-
ously been unobtainable from
the school administration. We
thank and commend those
teachers and principals who
have at your request so frankly
and fearlessly supplied this in
formation.
when the United States
Supreme Court handed down
It's opinion. in May. 1854, on
segregation in public schools,
the Federation Of Citizens AS
sociations accepted its ruling.
AS we had anticipated. the
Court specifically granted time
for the augmentation OF its
decision. The precipitous order
ing Of immediate indignation Of
the District of Columbia
schools therefore came as a
shock.
Realizing the effect that
this action would have on the
economic and social stability
Of the District. especially since
adjacent States were availing
themselves Of the time allowed,
the Federation sought relief in
the Courts so that there might
be an opportunity for advance
community planning. We re-
quested. in particular. more
flexible boundaries in the as
signment Of pupils. We believe
that, had our request been
granted. many Of the problems
that have arisen could have
been avoided.
I'VE hope that you will con-
tinue the hearings until the
full facts have been de-
termined, and that appropriate
corrective action viii be taken
either through administrative
procedures or remedial legisla-
ton"
Mrs. Edward B. Morris.
Secretary. Federation OF Citi-
gems Associations OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia