Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1961-09-07
Stress Three Rs,
Says Study Group

(Tentk IN a Series on Study Group Reports
Much more emphasis on the three Rs is needed in
business education to enable graduates to hold
down jobs in the opinion of special Montgomery
County curriculum study group.
The fve-page report while the shortest of any
made by the 16 study groups, contains some of the
sharpest criticism of present teaching methods
Employers answers to missionaries sent out by
the study group showed that business education grad
yates "are deploraby poor in simple arithmetic, ev-
eryday spelling, reading comprehension and an inter-
est In the days political events" the report stated.
One-third of the employers urged that schools de-
vote more time to spelling instruction; IS per cent
suggested additional emphasis English grammar,
and 20 per cent asked for better readers according to
the report.
To correct these defects, the study group urged
school officials to cram" reading grammar
and mathematics into the classes of business educa-
ton seniors taking diversified occupation COB
training).
There is some evidence to show" the group
commented, that considerable number of the par
Elephants in diversified occupations do SO principally to
get out of school during part of the day.
Another remedial step suggested by the study
group is the establishment of countrywide minimum
achievement tests Students would have to pass these
tests before receiving credit for particular course
Along with this would be minimum standards for
admission to certain which depend on specific
skils.
For example, those wanting to take shorthand
would have to pass standard spelling test Similar
ly, qualifying tests in penmanshp and arithmetic
would be required for those seeking to enroll in book
Keeping And reading comprehension test would
help screen students planning to sign up for business
law or economics, the study group pointed out
The report emphasized however that tests alone
not sufficient to that students possess the
ss necessary to take certain courses Many of these
skis should have been obtained years before in the
elementary schools, the study group said.
To illustrate this point, the group cited the course
of study for elementary school mathematics which
docs not list mastery of the multiplication tables
anywhere"
'"This is just one tool which person enrolling for
business arithmetic or bookkeeping might well be ex-
pected to have mastered" the report asserted.
The report also questioned whether enough stu
dents receiving the training most frequently re-
quested by employers and whether the training is
up-to-date.
The course which most employers ask for is basic
sales training the study group reported Yet this is
not the course in which most students enrolled.
And in the field of stenography the study group
suggested survey to determine whether better pay
ing positions are going to those taking stereotype
speed writing rather than ordinary shorthand
1T might be found" the group added, that the
thinking of educators needs to be redirected away from
the emphasis shorthand or some other course
which has been in the curriculum for a considerable
time and which is not presently justified the basis
of demands for the SKILL"
Another survey was recommended by the group
to the extent to which extracurrcuar activ-
tiles interfere with the systematic pursuit of pur
poseful education These activities include field trips
projects, rehearsals club activities and preparing
exhibits.