Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-01

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buildings recommended for re-
placement In the Strayer Sur
vey IA years ago are still in
use, and have not had major
improvements. There are a
total Of IS substandard ele-
mentary buildings.
The data SHOW a deplorable
situation indeed with respect
to overcrowding, yet they do
not begin to disclose the depth
Of this shocking condition. This
can be done only If one looks
at the problem Of overpopula-
ton in relation to the educa-
tional adequacy Of the over
crowded school and the size OF
the classes contained In it,"
In october, 1895 elemen-
tary pupils - 10 per cent -
were in classes of more than
80, the recommended Board OF
Education standard.
Hardest Hit
With Washington's acute
economic and social problems
the youngsters hit hardest by
overcrowded classes in dilapi-
dated buildings are those who
need most attention - pupils
from low-income neighbor-
hoods with serious cultural and
academic deficiencies.
This is particularly true in
the far Northeast, where de-
lays since 1857 in getting APP
preparations for construction
'of the Evans Junior High
School have placed an insup-
portable strain on Miller, Sou
sa and Woodson junior highs,
Latest information, the re-
port said, is that Evans will
open in September. If not,
$3.50 pupils will be on double
shifts. The touch-and-gb situa-
ton should never have arisen
in the first place, the report
asserted.
Even with the completion
of Evans, the area will be
short the equivalent of another
junior high.
Deferment Like DeIetiOn
One Of the authors of the
report, Harry B. Merican, a
washington attorney who
served as a special consultant
to DR.. Hansen, observed that
1t is imperative to get projects
into the legislative works in
this decade years ahead of
time.
"a deferment is almost
equivalent to a deletion" from
the budget, he said.
The other author of the re-
port was Norman w. Nickens,
executive assistant to the SUI
perintendent.
The two collaborators found
plenty amiss in statistics, on
staff needs ranging from aca-
demic teachers and counselors,
to social workers and language
teachers.
They also cited the fact that
because Of inadequate plant
D. c. Teachers College has lost
generalization with the Nationa
Council for the Accreditatior
of Teacher Education, al,
though not its regional ere
dentials.
The Commissioners were un.
able to give any assurance that
Teachers College would get new
buildings before 1871. With
teacher shortages and misery
ice training here crucial prob
lens, the report declared that
This situation is incompre-
henSible."
Majority Temporary Teachers
OF 4,468 teachers in the
system, almost IS per cent are
temporary teachers. the great
majority" of whom are Skill
full" They may lack certifica-
ton because they are unable
to qualify for permanent GER
LITIGATION or because they do
not plan to remain here.
The percentage of temporary
teachers, however. is "inordi-
nately high" the report
warned.
The report estimated that by
1968-69, the District system will
need more than 1000 additional
regular basic, special education
teachers, vocational and spe-
cialized teachers; psychologists
counsellors. social workers, IL
brarianS and clerks.
Lack Of assistant principals
and clerical staff at all levels
to take the burdens off prin-
cipals and teachers are a con-
tinual problem. the report said
Conditions Declining
An analysis Of key indexes
over the past five years showed
that while staff and housing
con ditions In elementary
schools have improved in most
respects since 1857, they de-
Perforated since l961-62.
TN junior high schools, for
the most part, conditions are
now much worse than they
we're five years ago. as well al
somewhat worse than last year,
the report warned. adding that
the same general decline APP
piled TO senior high schools.
The recommended capital
outlay budget for 1864 for the
schools was SIS million-con-
siderably better than in past
years, but dependent upon the
ticklish District revenue situa-
ton. without substantial addi-
tional revenue. the school i'm
provement program win b
stymied at a time when delays
means further danger Of inun-
dalton by increasing enroll
ments, the report said.
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