USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1944 > Part 7
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Another problem facing education in the postwar period will be that of providing a continuance of the education of the boys and girls in service, which was interrupted when they were inducted into service. Although only a year or two older than when they left their formal schooling, they will have matured considerably through experience and will have a keen desire to continue and further their education. The possibility of the establishment of "veterans' high schools", with an extension to grades XIII and XIV on the Junior College level, are food for thought.
122
ANNUAL REPORTS
In preparing the program for postwar education, one other situation needing attention must not be overlooked or treated lightly. Around the globe .our boys have been fighting and dying to stamp out the evil influences of intolerance. Our country has strength through the fact that people of different races, colors, and creeds have learned to live together as Amer- icans. But let us not smugly believe and state that there is no intolerance here. In the midst of this war several serious incidents of antagonism and prejudice have smoldered and finally burst into flames. If we are fighting a war for justice abroad, why can we not secure justice at home? The prej- udices, even though rooted through the years, can be overcome. Antagonisms will continue as long as there is cause for them. Immediate steps must be taken to remove discrimination against minority groups as rapidly as possible.
Education can and does affect the attitudes and actions of the children of today who will be the citizens of tomorrow. It then can give children contacts with diverse kinds of children; it can cultivate the habit of self-criticism; it can teach children to think on questions of racial, religious, and nationality dif- ferences.
Every community insists that its schools must be good schools, and if the foregoing be a fair statement of the prin- viples and philosophies of good schools in the postwar period, then it must be remembered that "Good Schools Cost Money". A sound investment in good schools will bring forth a sound return, not only to the community but to the country at large.
-
Throughout the country today approximately two and a half billion dollars a year is spent for education. That sounds like a lot of money for the education yearly of thirty million children, but before condemning the high cost of education just consider the following :
More than three billions a year are spent for alcoholic beverages
ten
transportation
sixteen
foodstuffs
four
automobiles
It is anticipated that soon after the war the annual national income will be between 110 and 125 billions of dollars, and the expenditures mentioned above will be practically doubled.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
A solid foundation of a well-educated people will support our democracy and maintain a high national income. Should there be any question, then, about increasing our expenditures for the improved education of all our youth in the same proportion that we increase the expenditures for entertainment, radios, refrigerators, housing, clothing, and food? The thoughtful cit- izen will answer emphatically, "No, the investment for schools is the wisest one that can be made."
This report, covering the year 1944, now nearing its close, is the seventeenth written by the present Superintendent of Schools and the seventy-third in a series of reports showing constant and steady progress in the accomplishments of the schools of the community.
It has always been the intent of the legislators and the administrators of the Somerville schools to keep abreast of the best thought and practice of the educational world, and in many ways Somerville has taken the lead in the conception and es- tablishment of new phases of education. Credit can be taken for pioneering in many areas of activity.
This report will indicate the degree of the extension of the continuity during 1944 of the educational pattern which was formulated in theory five years ago for the successful termina- tion of the military activities of the war, for the planning and functioning of those activities necessary to bring about a per- manent and lasting world peace, and for the development of a postwar program of education.
The following statements concerning the various units of the school organization will show that the Somerville schools have been and are continuing to keep abreast of the necessary changes called for in the attempt to fulfill the requirements of our proposal to prevent the creation of a federalized youth service by developing locally, with state assistance, a wisely planned and vigorously implemented program for improve- inent, adaptation, and extension of the educational services for the youth of our community.
HIGH SCHOOL
On the high school level the regular college preparatory, commercial, and general course organizations and programs of
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ANNUAL REPORTS
studies have been pursued as usual except for the change in emphasis due to the influence of the aims and objectives of the Victory Corps, which intensified the training to aid in the ef- fectiveness of the pursuit of the war effort. The Victory Corps activities and the preinduction training program have beer continued and intensified. There has been an increase in the popularity of Radio and Wartime Home Economics, as shown by the extent to which students have taken advantage of the special preinduction courses, as follows :
Divisions
Pupils
Radio
2
55
Pre-Flight
2
46
Basic Mathematics
1
20
Automotive Mechanics
1
12
Wartime Home Economics
4
119
Although the Specialized Training Programs V-5, V-12, and A-12 have been suspended by the Army and the Navy, an ac- celerated course (originally established to prepare for V-5, V-12, and A-12) has been continued so that boys who will be- come eighteen before February 1, who have a sufficient number of credits earned and are capable of progressing more rapidly through intensified study, may be enabled actually to earn their diplomas prior to being called for induction into the armed forces.
At this point, it seems advisable to call attention to the fact that many students who have entered the armed forces and who have been awarded diplomas of graduation from the High School because they had satisfactorily accomplished certain portions of the required work of the senior class, while appre- ciating the action of the School Committee, have nevertheless become cognizant of the questionable value of such unearned diplomas.
In consequence, and in connection with their very strenuous duties as members of the fighting forces of this great war, many have enrolled in and are pursuing correspondence courses formulated and given by the United States Armed Forces In- stitute. Through an action of the School Committee, author- ization was granted to a special committee, consisting of the Headmaster of the High School, the Superintendent of Schools, and a teacher of the High School, to evaluate not only these USAFI courses, but also to evaluate military training and ex- perience, and to give credits towards the necessary points for
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
an earned diploma. This procedure will also be made avail- able to returned veterans who wish to complete their secondary school education in order that they may further their educa- tion in colleges and professional schools.
Further evidence of the interest and effective work in the Schools-at-War program is shown by the continued activities of the Band, Orchestra, Junior Red Cross, Art Department, and Home Economics Department. The School Banking Corps has carried on its fine work through the year and can proudly point to its record of sales of War Bonds and Stamps, totalling from Pearl Harbor to date, $159,091.15.
The Social Studies Department has introduced one of the G.I. methods by extending its use of audio-visual material to include a monthly showing and study of the "March of Time" film, dealing with the most pertinent topics of the month.
The Clerical Practice Department has extended its custom of giving all students an opportunity to demonstrate practical- ly their accomplishments by active participation in the various phases of industry by excusing senior students from their class- es for a day to work on some special activity. On one occasion recently a few students handled 60,000 pieces of mail in record time in the interest of a social welfare agency.
A year ago attention was called to the fact that the lure of high wages in business and industrial fields, together with the fact that many students had entered the armed and unarmed services of the country, had caused a very serious decrease in the membership of the classes in the High School. It is inter- esting to note that at the present time students are realizing that the lure of high wages now will bring no lasting economic standing for the future. This is evidenced by the fact that al- though practically all boys who become eighteen years of age are being. inducted into the armed forces, the membership of the High School is showing a slow but steady increase.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
At the junior high school level the change in emphasis noted last year has been continued and further provision for its ap- plication has been made over an extended area of subjects and activities. Some outstanding examples of what has been accom- plished during 1944 are here noted.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
The curriculum of the junior high school is being appraised at the present time by a competent committee with a view to recommending any necessary modifications in our program of studies. A survey is being conducted of present practices in other communities using the junior high school plan, studies are under way of current educational literature on this sub- ject, and investigation is being made of our own individual community needs. All of this is being done to the end that cur curriculum may provide the type of education best suited to present-day requirements.
During the past year the junior high school librarians have realized in a greater way than ever before the important part which they can and do play in a well organized school. They have been meeting as a committee for the purpose of improving our program and realizing to a fuller degree our aims and ob- jectives. It is their hope that in the coming years the school library may become more and more a laboratory in which the student body and the teachers may find common interests as well as a treasury of information. Every effort is being made to bring about closer cooperation between the individual teach- er, the school librarian, and the public library in the assign- ment and use of reference material. More than ever before, posters, charts, maps, globes, pictures, and other visual aids are being used to stimulate and vitalize the interest of the children in books and learning. Effective displays of school work, hob- bies, and handicraft are also being used. The observance of Book Week was an outstanding success.
The regularly scheduled conferences arranged for the teach- ers of the ninth grade subjects under the direction of senior high school department heads have taken on new meaning, and it is anticipated that a great deal more will be accomplished in the integration and articulation of the work of the ninth and tenth grades.
Wartime conditions have created a new and vital motiva- tion for the study of English. Spelling, vocabulary, penman- ship, and reading seem so much more important and valuable to the children who ordinarily would have little or no occasion for letter writing, but who are now writing to relatives and friends in the armed services all over the world. There has also been an increased interest in the reading of current books and newspaper articles, particularly those written by well known columnists and radio announcers. The war literature of such
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
exciting exploits as Doolittle's bombing of Tokyo and the ad- ventures of General Stillwell offers subject matter of absorb- ing interest to the children.
In our social studies classes the teachers are taking every advantage of the wartime aids to teaching and learning. Some classes are preparing scrapbooks with clippings, maps, and im- portant pictures, and all are paying particular attention to current events which directly or indirectly concern the history and geography of our own country. New geography texts have been introduced and also new maps and globes are being used. Teachers have found that better geographic understanding means vastly better historical understanding, for geography is the stage on which history has played its many parts. Mind- ful of the value of visual aids as a means of successfully pre- senting the global problems of the air-age world, a committee of social studies teachers has been appointed to make a thorough survey of the maps in use in our classes, and also to make an investigation of map material best suited to junior high school needs.
The interest and trend toward things scientific these days is especially noticeable in our General Science classes. The long list of new inventions and discoveries which are being made as a result of the war is of vital interest to the pupils. Much benefit has been derived in these classes from the applica- tion of scientific laws to those things which are practical and workable. Recently in a certain class much interest was aroused in applying the knowledge gained from the study of heat and its effect on gases to the study of the new jet pro- pulsion plane.
The work of the art classes has been made most effective by the integration of drawing with other subjects and activities of the schools. Charts and graphs have been made for bond and stamp drives, cards and menus for servicemen have been de- signed, and posters have been prepared for special occasions.
The course in home economics under the impact of the war presents the whole concept of what home really means. It offers a flexible program, adaptable to immediate needs. Special con- sideration is given to the solving of problems created by the wartime food situation. Since many of the pupils are manag- ing homes, due to the fact that mothers are busy in war work, they must be taught how to understand the rationing program
128
ANNUAL REPORTS
and how to get the most value for their money and points. Purchasing, cooking, and conservation of scarce foods are new and timely phases of the present-day course.
The clothing classes have chosen as their wartime slogan, "Sew and Save". They have been taught that it is to every girl's advantage to learn to make her own clothes, not only be- cause of the saving of money, but because garments made in school can be of better quality, fit, and finish, all of which are the foundation of good style.
The schools participated generously and enthusiastically in many activities allied to the war effort. Collections of clothing were made for the Save-the-Children Federation and for the Greek, Russian, and British Relief organizations. The waste paper drives were especially successful, as was also the collec- tion of milkweed pods. The response of the schools to the ap- peals for financial support from such recognized agencies as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the United War Fund, and the Christmas Seal Sale has been most generous. Likewise the War Savings Program has been an outstanding success.
The Junior Red Cross has conducted a varied and interest- ing program. Scrapbooks have been made for veterans in near- by hospitals and thousands of magazines have been collected and donated to the Seamen's Union. Many gift boxes have also been prepared, containing soap, pencils, a small pad of paper, paper dolls, small puzzles, and games, Christmas table decora- tions were made for nearby homes for aged and infirm.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
In the elementary schools, in addition to the continuance of constant analysis and revision of teaching content, methods, and techniques for improvement and intensification thereof, teachers and principals have been concerned with the newer methods and scientific studies to the degree that social effi- ciency shall be attained in every classroom and the capacity of every child shall be developed to its fullest extent. Abundant material, equipment, and textbooks are provided to allow the acquirement of a complete command of the fundamental proc- esses in those tools of learning which will enable all the child- ren of all the people to meet their present daily problems and their future problems of adulthood. Attention has been focused
129
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
on, and adaptations to the conditions and situations peculiar to the districts have been made of, the broad and complete aims and objectives of the National Education Association's Com- mittee on Social Economic Goals of America, namely :
1. Heredity strength
2. Physical security
3. Participation in an evolving culture
4. An active flexible personality
5. Suitable occupation
6. Economic security
7. Mental security
8. Equality of opportunity
9. Freedom
10. Fair play
Masters have been doing specialized work in their districts, one doing intensive work in all grades on reading; another de- voting much time, study, and energy to the task of simplifica- tion of rules in English ; and still another carrying on a study for the improvement and extension of the Safety program. Others are giving considerable attention to the administering and results of standardized tests for the measurement of intel- ligence, reading, and other elementary subjects.
Basic English is being employed in some districts as a read- ing aid. Somerville is the first community in the country to make use of Basic English in this manner for elementary school and special class work. As a matter of fact, any aid, device, or technique is used, at least for experimentation, which it is felt may be helpful in improving the work and accomplishment of the child, which in turn gives the child a sense of worthy suc- cess.
The Book Council, organized during 1943, has continued its valuable work of scientifically studying all available new ma- terials and making recommendations for adoptions and dele- tions with reference to the authorized lists of textbooks. Each principal serves as Chairman of two subject committees and the Supervisor of Elementary Grades acts as Chairman of the Council.
The supervising principals have continued the practice of holding frequent meetings, in addition to those meetings held monthly with the Superintendent, for the discussion of educa. tional and other common problems resulting from the war. These meetings result in making a united attack upon the prob-
130
ANNUAL REPORTS
lems, an improved cooperation for better understanding, and an improvement in teaching.
During the past three years a very serious study has been made of all available basal reading systems to find the system best suited to the needs of the Somerville school children. In 1943 the number was reduced to two, and after complete exper- imentation with the two, in 1944 recommendation was made for a basal reading system which was formally adopted by the School Committee.
The teachers have taken to this system with their usual enthusiasm and industry. With the aid of the Supervisor of Elementary Grades and the reading specialist of the publish- ers, all troublesome problems and suggestions for improvement were discussed, assuring a thorough knowledge of the system. Just prior to the close of schools in June, all teachers not al- ready using the new system were supplied with all materials, manuals, and books so that they could familiarize themselves during the summer with the task to be begun in September. In connection with this system a chart was invented for use, and was manufactured by cooperative enterprise by the var- ious departments of the schools, namely, Art, Manual Arts, and Junior Vocational.
The Somerville Kiwanis Club conducted again its Reading Disability Clinic on an enlarged scale during the past summer. This project was discussed in the annual report of the Super- intendent of Schools for 1943, to which reference may be made for more detail. Sixty children received specialized training in reading for a period of six weeks under the direction of three instructors trained for this work. The average child showed an improvement of seven months in reading ability as a result of the training received in these classes. The improve- ment shown by the children generally ranged from three months to nineteen months in reading ability. These classes have been conducted for the past three summers and it can now be said that instruction in this field has proved its worth and is of great benefit to children retarded in reading ability. The work should be continued and expanded under public auspices. The Somerville Kiwanis Club is to be congratulated upon its suc- cess in this field.
The use of audio-visual aids has been extended in the work of the elementary schools recently. Many films have been pur-
131
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
chased and some concerning Safety, Geography, and Citizen- ship have been made available through the courtesy of the Massachusetts Safety Council and the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. Teachers have been provided with teaching plans for each film unit. Discussion and a second showing have been used to evaluate the salient points and as- certain the degree of teaching accomplished.
In spite of the cosmopolitan nature of our school popula- tion in the elementary schools, no difficulty with intercultural relations has developed. Considerable credit for this condition is due, no doubt, to the excellent accomplishment of the teach- ers in teaching the children to work and play in a truly demo- cratic manner, to respect authority, to be aware of their own ability to adapt themselves to an everchanging environment, and to have right habits, interests, information, attitudes, ideals, and appreciations.
Last year attention was called to the fact that the elemen- tary school instructional force had been reduced in efficiency somewhat by resignations due to marriage, which caused the employment of well trained, capable persons who either lacked experience or who had been away from the teaching task for some time. At that time it was reported that the situation was well in hand, due to the organization by the Supervisor of Ele- mentary Grades of a series of weekly meetings, after school hours, for those who would and could benefit by a more com- plete understanding of each subject in the curriculum, and by the acquiring of a knowledge of the devices and techniques used in the Somerville schools, to the end that the class activities would be most vital and interesting.
The results were so beneficial and satisfactory that a sim- ilar series of meetings is being held this school year by William J. Crotty, under the jurisdiction of the University Extension Division of the State Department of Education. Through such an arrangement and affiliation the teachers who complete the work satisfactorily become beneficiaries under our Somerville Professional Improvement Plan.
All those associated with the elementary organization are devotedly pursuing their tasks with enthusiasm and industry and are even now making plans to prepare themselves to do well their proper share in the postwar education program.
132
ANNUAL REPORTS
SPECIAL CLASSES
Under the General Laws of the Commonwealth the Super- intendent of Schools is charged with the task of discovering annually, with the help of a traveling clinic of the State De- partment of Mental Health, the number of children obviously three years or more retarded in mental development. He is further charged either to have these children placed in special classes or to make other special provisions for them, subject to the approval of the State Department of Education.
For many years special classes were provided for these children, which were classified as elementary, intermediate, and prevocational. A few years ago it seemed to be advisable to extend this arrangement because of peculiar qualities found in some retarded children, and a fourth unit was established, meeting in one of the junior high school buildings. It was known as an Opportunity School. After a few years of opera- tion of this school, a study was made of the subsequent careers of these nonacademic boys and girls to discover what, if any- thing, could be done to improve the offerings provided for them.
The study revealed many pertinent facts, as follows :
1. That many were engaged in occupations that were semi- skilled or unskilled in nature.
2. That their success in industry was based upon correct placement. Those engaged in jobs which were repetitive in na -. ture were most successful.
3. That on approaching adolescense these boys and girls should be by themselves, being shown applications of,and learn- ing repetitive processes.
4. That to the extent of their ability they should be taught (a) methods of obtaining and holding employment, and (b) how to handle money, how to dress, etc.
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