Evening star., 1957-12-29
OUR EDUCATION NEEDS
Repairs, Moi Imitation


to that general question in the form of replies to
10 specific questions
The experts-Henry Heald, president Of the
Ford Foundation; Howard L. Bevls, chairman Of
President Eisenhower's Committee on Scientists
and Engineers. and Lawrence @. Derthick, United
States Education CommiSSioner-agreed on one
weak broad conclusion: Intelligent attention TO
weak points rather than revolutionary overhaul
Of American education is necessary to meet Rus
sias scientific challege.
Their comments do much to cut away popu-
lar misconceptions-bo traditional and born Of
the recent near-panic reaction to the sputniks-
about our educational systems. Here are the ques-
tions and answers.
!. How importont do you think ore such oft quoted
statistics os "only fourth Of high school seniors
study physics" and half Of American high schools
don't even offer chemistry or physies"'
DIR. Heald-"The statistics themselves are
somewhat misleading. Many Of the high schools
which offer no physics and chemistry are very
small ones Nevertheless, too few high school
students study science, and some Of those who do
are not well taught. Double the present pro-
portion would be more healthy
Dr. Bevis-"Snce our Nation has not deter
mined the goals on the proportion Of those who
should take physics or chemistry or any other
course. these numbers and proportions In them
selves mean little, and therefore may obscure
the basic issue, which is that under current
conditions larger proportion of our gifted youth
should be encouraged to take mathematics and
science and so on to courses in engineering and
science In college -
Dr. Derthick--. Schools offering neither
chemistry nor physics enroll only about per
cent Of all l2th-grade. pupils The number
Of pupils taking science and mathematics has
aad fha k.nt fhA de k.,
our chronological society indicate that substan-
tally increased numbers should be vigorously
encouraged to study In these areas. The answer
is more teachers and improved guidance"
z II hos been soid thct the overooe scientist and
engineer eroduoted BY Russion university is
little obove the overose American laboratory
ossistcnt or skilled technicion in troinng and
competence Do you think this is true?
DR.. Heald-"The evidence indicates that the
average Russian university graduate In science
or engineering is fully as competent as his Amer
lean counterpart Russia also has many schools
for technicans in addition to those on the uni
versity level"
Dr. Bevis-" :. . Recent information concern
ing Russian colleges and universities indicates
very thorough preparation in science and engi-
neering, in some fields equal to our own, in
number perhaps superior
Dr. Derthick-"It is difficult to say because
neither the Russian Technology nor its figures
are comparable to American. terminology and
figures. The Soviet science major may have de-
voted as much as 80 per cent Of his time to profess
sional training. The American who earns a bach
elor Of science degree will have had a number
OF liberal arts courses.
g. Whot doneers do you see in attempting TO
out-Russion the Russions in emphasizing science
and technology? At the some time, whot do you
think we might profitoby copy from their educo-
tionol system?
DR.. Heald-"There is no need to remodel
American education along Russian lines. There
is need to strengthen American education at
all levels while still maintaining the best features
Of our present system. One thing we might
copy the relatively high status given the teacher
and scientist"
DR.. Bevis-"It would be dangerous for US to
match man for man in science and engineering
with Russia Their population base is larger their
economy is less developed; a number of their
satellite countries are less industrialzed than
some Of our friendly countries. .
There are number of items We might profit
ably copy from the Russian educational system
These include the high respect and status Of
teachers in Russia. . One of the most impor-
tant changes in my opinion would be an increase
in the requirements of science, math, English and
otner paSc olSclplneS through nigh Scho0l.
DR.. Derthick-"Each country is a reflection OF
its system Of education. II this country tried
TO out-Russian the Russians it would inevitably
strengthen materialistic attitudes in society.
We would learn, to our cost, than man does not
live by science alone.
I'VE do need to strengthen our work in sci
ence and mathematics, but only as part Of
general strengthening Of the total educational
enterprise"
4. Do you think thot on q notionoI scoIe the
tolented high school student hos been suffi-
GENTLY encouraged to develop his potehtioIites
for further educoton and public service?
DIR. Heald-In most schools the talented youths
are not sufficiently encouraged or stimulated to
progress as rapidly as they could, although more
attention is now being given to this problem in
many cases. :. 1t is relatively easy to secure
extra appropriations for the physically and men,
tally handicapped but very hard TO find extra
money for the brilliant"
DR.. Bevis-". While the proportion OF our
gifted youth that goes on TO college and uni
versity has risen and is still rising think 1t
is unfortunate that over one third OF the boys
and half Of the girls do not go beyond high
school, :"
DIR. Derthick-"Much more needs to be done,
OF course, but there are a nnmber OF pro-
grams for gifted pupils, and these are producing
good practices which are applicable TO all types