Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-06
School Heorino

investigation to criticize or to
devaluate the quality and eff
cheney of Negro teachers stand
ards and methods of instruc-
ton. as well as the learning
ability Of their pupils. The
validity Of this judgment is
questionable, as it is based, in
many instances, on a COMPARE
son Of achievement records Of
colored and white pupils, while
it oVerlooks one of the main
causes of the achievement gap
inequality of the dual sys-
tenn of education. This critical
assumption in respect to quality
Of instruction can do irrepar-
able harm to teacher morale,
and quite UNDERSTANDABLE tends
TO undermine the confidence
which parents should have in
persons entrusted with their
children's education. Many
members Of the teaching pro-
fession. therefore, consider the
aforementioned generalization
TO be not only reprehenSible
and demoralizing in its impli-
cations, but also quite detri-
mental to their present teach
ing efforts.
Bearing in mind these facts,
! believe the time is now ripe to
give warm tribute and SYM
pathetic understanding to the
many colored teachers and ad-
ministratorS who have sin
cerely and conscientiously dedi-
Gated themselves to their jobs
throughout the years; who
have persevered and made
progress in the face of con-
sistently heavy enrollmentS,
part-time shifts. and other
disadvantages. both cultural
by the segregational system.
Against overwhelming odds,
many instructors have been
successful in their efforts
through far-Sighted planning,
extensive preparation, and
above all, through their very
efficient classroom instruc-
ton under an able admin
istration. Both time and
money have been sacrificed
in the effort to counter
act the attendant i'll effects of
poor backgrounds and eco
nomic deprivations. Through
the years, financial OUTLAWS
were made without protest to
supplement inadequate school
supplies and to defray the cost
Of additional teaching ma
terials necessary for pupil
growth and progress. Much
needed leisure time was also
expended as these dedicated
teachers visited homes to in
veStigate problems which pre-
vented proper assimilation of
subject matter. 1t is to be
noted that there were many
empty seats in white schools
while these overworked people
struggled to cope with the
problems besetting them under
such frustrating conditions.
I assure you that the diff
cult situations which are cur
rently so manifest, and which
have been SO widely and Vo-
cally protested, were quite
prevalent in former Division
II for many years. How, then,
can one reasonably and in
diligently compare the results
of two such systems without
taking into consideration the
inequalities which existed? I
concur with the opinion, both
implied and expressed, that
there may be some poorly
qualified teachers in the sys-
tenn. for such an opinion is in
accordance with the accepted
fact that there are both ex-
cellent and inferior workers
in nearly all categories Of
work. However. let us not be
unmindful that this statement
is true, regardless Of race.
If a person honestly chooses
to be objective, let him ask
himself this question: "Is it
not actually surprising that
out Of the conditions so
graphically headlined during
the hearings. there should
emerge so many prominent,
respected. and talented Negro
men and women. some Of
whom have won worldwide
recognition and honor for
their contributions"
Yet, with few exceptions.
these people received their
basic education under the
wise and efficient guidance of
people within the race. So
let us be fair in our condem-
nation and in our praise, and
avoid blaming every present
evil on the indignation factor.
Many behavior problems and
antisocial tendencies were
present in both groups be-
fore the advent Of integra-
ton, and are not peculiar to
any one race. Above all. let
US now work together to re-
store the confidence which
some parents have lost in our
present teaching corps as a
result Of the worries and
doubts initiated by the So
called objective Gerber in
vestigation.
Phyllis w. Ford.
One OF the last queries
posed by Chairman Davis was:
What good could derive from
integrating the schools?" I
urge Mr.. Davis and his COL
leagues 10 sit quietly in on the
classic film THE King and l."
and soak up the moving mes
sage Of the tender melody and
lyrics. Getting to Know You"
Joseph d. Kaufman.