Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-16
BY JAMES G. DEANE

A renaissance may be in store
for Washington's rather dingy
and timeworn but still proud
District of Columbia Teachers
College.
Last week the Board of Edit
cation gave preliminary APP
proval, by a committee vote that
can still be reversed, to a plan
which would eventually provide
new Quarters-and its first real
campus-for the city's teacher
training institution.
The plan could mean even
more. School officials. and at
least some members of the
Board of Education, want to see
the present institution trans
formed into at least a combined
teachers college and junior col
lege, and preferably a full-scale
city college. In the latter.
teacher training would consti-
tute one department.
The planners have good
models. Washington is the only
area in the United States whose
youthful citizens do not have
access to a State or city OPP
Grated college broader than a
teachers college. And a public
Junior college is already -four
ishing in nearby Montgomery
County. Md. Similar ventures
are under serious consideration
in Prince Georges County. Md,
and Fairfax County, Va.
Serious Handicaps
AS far as the District goes.
most Of this is still somewhat in
the dream stage.
Some vital questions are in
volved, however. One is whether
the college can continue to at
tract and train enough teachers
In its present restricted quarters
to man the city's classrooms
Another, a good deal broader, is
whether the city's growing needs
for higher education can be met
without the establishment Of
the city's own full-scale. higher
education institution.
DR.. Walter E. Hager. presi-
dent of the college, believes the
answer to both these questions
is no.
He believes not only that the
colleges present quarters are
seriously handicapping teacher
preparation and threatening its
adequacy still further in the
future. but that lack Of a tuition
free city college will mean for
many the lack Of q college edu-
cation.
AS he sees 1t, q city college
would provide many future stu
dents with the only kind of coll
lege education they could afford
Other educators. although not
all. agree with him.
Has Good Reputation
Washington's teacher college
has a good reputation. 1t has
trained the bulk Of the city's
elementary teachers and many
OF those in the secondary schools
Graduates are also hired regu-
larry by school systems in the
suburbs and elsewhere.
This reputation has been es-
tablished against odds. however
The colleges physical facilities
have been regarded as made
quate for some time.
Three years ago an accredita-
ton team pointed UP the lacks
II said the college deserved great
credit for the caliber OF its pro-
gram. but said 1t was being
carried on in spite OF "glarine
handicaps and deficiencies"
Eight months ago another In
spection team issued a similarly
two sided report The report
singled out for special praise
the way in which the college
stan had carried out the merger
Of the two former teacher col
leges Wilson and Miner
achieved under racial integra-
ton.
InadequacIes Criticized
But It criticized various in.
adeouacies OF the colleges new
ffth-year graduate program anc
especially OF the library. which
II found understafied. under
stocked and poorly housed. The
report also specifically called foi
new housing for the entire COL
lese
Last week a high school off,
olal. Deputy Supt. Norman J
Nelson. told the school board
the aecreditins team orally
warned that the colleges &C.
creditation might be leopard.
ized II better housing Is MOI
provided.
The housing problem actually
soes back many years. In 1881