Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-06
Teachers Told
Tests Results
Are Disquieting
By JAMES G. DEANE

School Supt. Hobart M. Corn.
ing today called on Washington
teachers to put more stress on
the traditional three Rs" in the
city's public schools.
The school chief said dis
quieting" city test results have
proved not enough time and
emphasis are being put on read
ing, writing and arithmetic.
He also called for better pupil
grouping according to ability.
Principals will be asked to re-
port on new grouping steps soon
after the start of the new term
which opens Monday, he said.
Dr.. Corning addressed the
teachers at a meeting in Consti-
tuition Hall. Board of Education
members and other school of1-
Gals also attended.
Sees More Funds Needed
The school superintendent
urged teaching improvement
along a number of lines. He
blamed some Of the city school
systems current problems, how
ever, on lack of funds.
Inadequate school budgets "for
years" have been hampering the
schools, he said. He called the
school systems greatest imme-
date need, additional funds for
teachers to reduce oversize
classes.
| DR.. Corning made only one
reference to racial indignation,
declaring that the merger Of the
city's former two separate school
divisions had complicated teach
ing problems. He said the two
divisions differed in standards,
methods and other particulars.
DR.. Corning called more stress
on fundamentals a "first-priority
obligation"
/ He said recent city-wide tests
showed improvements over a
year ago. But he added that the
results "also show much needs
to be done to bring the achieve
Iment of our students up to .
satisfactory level"
Problem Under Study
1 The school systems achieve
lment situation-and integration
lproblems-are under study by q
congressional committee.
DR.. Corning said teachers
ought to be checking pupil prog.
, lress constantly. as well as their
methods, in order to increase
lItheir effectiveness. He urged
. more stress on thoroughness and
ACCURACY.
| He also declared. however, that
"the best teacher in the world
can't do effective work" in the
face of modern educational needs
with classes of 35, 40 and SO.
The city's elementary classes
ARE expected to average slightly
labove IS this fall School officials
are trying to get funds for
enough teachers to reduce them,
Eventually. to 30.
DR.. Corning said the schools
.Ineed more supervisors, greatly
Increased testing. more money
for supplies and textbooks, more
special classes for slow pupils.
and more special attention to
: the gifted. More schoolroom con-
i lstruction also is needed. he
! added.
i SOunder Finances Urged
The school superintendent said
, the public schools Of the Ma
ton generally must be on a
sounder financial basis" If the
Nations youth are to measure
! up to its needs.
1--WE get just what we pay for.
There are no bargains" he as
serted
, Dean Francis Keppel of the
Harvard School Of Education told
! the teachers more stress is needed
! on raising educational quality.
He said he was convinced
, American children could learn
i far more and far faster than
now. Teachers, he said, should
, try harder to influence school
, boards to set educational sights
higher.
Arthur s. Flemming, director
Of the Office of Defense Mobiliza-
ton, said teachers could play a
. vital role in inspiring youngsters
to help preserve freedom. He
said this requires a willingness to
-. .waAAn~