USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1951-1957 > Part 4
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6,000.00
Total
$12,000.00
Expenditures :
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
171.63
Labor
3,131.28
Hired Equipment
Rental from town owned equipment credited
2,464.05
to Machinery Account
1,961.38
Materials
Total Chapter 90 Construction Unexpended
$11,925.29
74.71
$12,000.00
2,548.85
Machinery Account bills charged to Chap. 81
$24,848.31
$4,196.95
$5,325.00
65
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Appropriated by Town
$1,000.00
Allotment by State
1,000.00
Allotment by County
1,000.00
Total
$3,000.00
Expenditures :
Labor
$1,174.73
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
40.95
Hired Equipment
54.50
Rental from town owned equipment credited
to Machinery Account
327.60
Materials
1,393.26
Total Chapter 90 Maintenance
$2,991.04
Unexpended
8.96
$3,000.00
Snow Roads
Town Appropriation:
Expenditures:
Labor
$3,164.53
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
158.25
Hired Equipment
144.50
Rental from town owned equipment credited
to Machinery Account
1,019.75
Materials
3,196.18
Total Snow Roads
$7,683.21
Bridges
Town Appropriation:
Expenditures :
Labor
$267.45
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
13.37
Hired Equipment
17.50
Rental from town owned equipment credited
to Machinery Account
16.00
66
ANNUAL REPORT
Materials
$2,084.80
Sidewalks
Town Appropriation
Expenditures :
$232.76
Labor
11.64
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
Rental from town owned equipment credited
9.50
to Machinery Account
37.92
Materials
291.82
Total Sidewalks
8.18
Unexpended
$300.00
Railings
$300.00
Town Appropriation
Expenditures:
Labor
4.81
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
197.86
Materials
298.82
Total Railings
1.18
Unexpended
$300.00
Special Highways
Appropriation :
$1,500.00
Town Meeting
500.00
Special Meeting
1,025.00
Reserve Fund
1,770.48
Total Bridges
$300.00
$3,025.00
$96.15
67
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Expenditures:
Pay Rolls:
Retroactive Pay
$177.66
Public Squares
113.48
Memorial Day
235.92
Vacation Pay
325.50
North St. Drainage
374.34
Blinker Damage
49.61
All other including Care of Common
92.38
Saw
250.00
American Bitumuls Co .- Webster Road
307.98
Corbette Concrete Pipe Co .- North St.
236.82
Care of Town Dump
123.00
Public Squares Loam and Seed
57.16
Tile Pipe-Carter Square
54.40
Damage to Blinker
89.25
Wiring Welder and Air Compressor
43.00
Motor Vehicle Registration
18.00
Telephone
176.03
Lights
112.80
Highways-Supplies
166.24
Miscellaneous
20.65
$3,024.22
Unexpended
.78
$3,025.00
Machinery Rentals Receipts
Chapter 81 Highway
$4,162.50
Chapter 90 Construction
2,464.05
Chapter 90 Maintenance
327.60
Snow Roads
1,019.75
Bridges
16.00
Sidewalks
9.50
Special Highways
112.80
Gas Refund, etc.
374.37
Total Machinery Rental
$8,486.57
Payments from Maintenance Fund
Automotive Distributors, Inc., Parts
$363.09
Billiel's Mobilgas Station, Gas
104.54
Geo. F. Blake, Inc., Parts
217.39
J. D. Bousquet & Sons
14.45
The Burton Saw Co.
63.64
$1,368.89
68
ANNUAL REPORT
6.00
Bek's Welding
1.40
City Truck Co.
5.50
Stephen Copp
228.65
City Auto Parts, Parts
82.95
Christie & Thomson, Inc., Parts
562.32
C & R Tire Co.
189.71
Carter's Auto Service, Repairs
30.00
Louis Chabot
338.85
Carter's Shell Station, Gas
435.80
Douglas Motor Sales, Gas and Repairs
42.00
Demars-Truda Co.
12.00
Douglas Machine Co.
1.90
H. F. Davis Tractor Co.
997.07
E. F. Edson Co., Inc.
1,676.44
Eastern Equipment Sales Inc.
157.26
Empire Steel & Tool Co.
165.55
Equipment Service Co.
65.73
Files & O'Keefe Co
64.71
The Harr Motor Co., Parts
1.46
Heil Equipment Co.
1.72
Holmes Transportation Service
10.13
Indian Pontiac
743.28
Johnson Motors, Gas and Repairs
483.02
Louis Jussaume, Gas
45.07
Geo. H. Jewett Co.
35.11
Johnson & Grove, Inc., Parts
64.06
Jenkins & Robinson, Inc.
194.68
Mumford Motor Sales, Inc., Parts
4.76
Millbury Express
59.91
Morrissey Bros. Tractor Co.
126.71
Page's Service & Garage, Gas
44.27
Perkins-Milton Mach. Co.
5.43
Railway Express Agency
5.80
Ruhland Auto Parts
254.55
Irving Schultz, Oil
13.75
Snap-on Tools Corp.
135.12
Silcraft Corp
9.47
H. A. Suddard, Inc.
3.27
Edward A. Therrien
5.55
Vassar's Speed Shop
15.08
Veino Chevrolet, Inc.
70.76
W. R. Wallis Lumber Co.
5.40
P. Wajer & Sons Express Co., Inc.
60.75
Worcester Oxy-Acetylene Supply Co.
15.06
Worcester Chemical Distributors
157.84
Miscellaneous
$8,398.96
69
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE DIRECTOR
This report will serve to inform the citizens and taxpayers of the Town of Douglas as to what has been done in the line of Civilian Defense and to what end money appropriated by the Town has been spent.
For the year 1951, I asked for and received an appropriation of $1500.00 for Civilian Defense. The greater part of this sum was earmarked for a two-way radio for our police department. I am glad to report that during the year the radio has been received and installed.
The police cruiser is now equipped with a receiving and sending set, which allows constant communication between our department and those of surrounding towns as well as with the State Police. This is of particular importance because all alarms for impending air raids will originate with the State Police, and being equipped with a radio our police department will be informed immediately of any developments. As may be seen, this radio, while essentially a war development, will serve the Town in peace time as well as in time of trouble, and has already proved its worth several times during the past year.
A central receiving and sending set is located in the police rooms in the Town Hall and we are as prepared in this respect as any other town in the State. The cost of this installation was about $1400, leaving a balance of $100.00 which has been spent for miscellaneous items such as expenses for civilian defense personnel attending specialized courses in Worcester.
For the year 1952, I have asked for $1000.00, $750.00 of which would be spent for a two-way radio for our Fire Department, which again would be of great value to us in peace time as well as in time of war. This radio would be in direct contact with other fire depart- ments as well as the police. The remaining $250.00 would be spent for additional specialized instruction and for various personnel equipment.
As can be seen, the money already spent and to be spent repre- sents an investment in public safety which the Town has long needed and will always use to good advantage.
National Civilian Defense is promoting several departments of defense, but in a town the size of ours, we are mainly interested in only the following four:
70
ANNUAL REPORT
Auxiliary Police Department.
Auxiliary Fire Department.
Health and First Aid. Warden Service.
Chief Nelson is to be congratulated on the splendid auxiliary police department he has developed. About thirty members of the last department form a nucleus of the new one with about thirty new members added. This means that we have a well drilled and trained group of sixty men which can be depended upon to take over during any emergency. From time to time we plan to equip these men with good serviceable equipment at as low a cost as possible.
Chief Vecchione has likewise done a very good job in molding together an auxiliary fire department to work with his regular men. At a very low cost in money, we will shortly have a trained group of men who can help in any sort of fire, which is very important in an area such as ours which is particularly susceptible to forest fires every year. Our new chief, Joseph Vecchione, is prepared to carry on where "Flaxy" left off.
We have a good canteen and Red Cross division which is pre- pared to go on duty on short notice. This was well demonstrated last March at the fire in the Douglas woods where the ladies took over and kept the fire fighters supplied with food and drink, and the Red Cross was on hand with all needed first aid equipment.
The warden service is being developed along the lines used dur- ing the last war, and in the near future we will have a group to work with the auxiliary police during any real or trial emergency.
Other services, such as biological and atomic, are too complex and expensive to warrant going into at this time, particularly since the State Police will provide the necessary personnel and equipment if it is ever needed.
It may be of general interest to know that very recently the assistant director of Region 3 visited us and remarked that we are doing a very good job on Civilian Defense and are completely in line with other towns in our region.
I would like to thank the Selectmen for their excellent coopera- tion in all matters concerning Civilian Defense and also the gen- eral public who have always agreed to help in any way they have been asked.
71
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
It may be well to mention again what the signal will be in case of an attack or a practice alert. This signal will be a wavering or wailing blast from the fire siren for a three-minute period. At the same time the local whistles will give out a series of short inter- mittent blasts for a three-minute period. If you hear this signal, it will mean either a real attack or a practice attack, which should be both treated the same as far as the public is concerned.
The all clear will be three one-minute blasts at two-minute inter- vals by sirens or whistles. These signals will be a steady sound rather than intermittent as in the case of the alert.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY, Director
72
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
To the Selectmen of the Town of Douglas:
The following is my report as Town Treasurer of the Town of Douglas as recommended by the Division of Accounts, Department of Corporations and Taxation, as called for by Section 44, General Laws, for the fiscal year 1951:
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance January 1, 1951
$83,246.41 323,344.54
Receipts, 1951
$405,591.05
$305,883.05
Payments, 1951
99,708.00
Balance, December 31, 1951
$405,591.05
Balance December 31, 1951:
Blackstone National Bank, Uxbridge,
per check book $86,003.66
The Merchants National Bank, Boston, per check book and statement 11,901.35
The First National Bank, Boston, per
check book and statement 1,176.09
Cash in office, per count 626.90
$99,708.00
MYRON O. MOWRY SCHOOL FUND
Savings Securities
On hand at beginning of year 1951
Deposits Par Value Total $6,920.63 $19,000.00 $25,920.63 7,103.91 19,000.00 26,103.91
On hand at end of year 1951
1951
Payments
Receipts
Transfer to Town $700.00
Income-Bonds
$700.00
Income-Interest 183.28 Added to Savings de- posit 183.28
$883.28
$883.28
73
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
ADELINE PIERCE SANBORN LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposit $110.98
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$110.98
On hand at end of year 1951
113.48
113.48
1951
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$2.50
Added to savings de-
posit
$2.50
$2.50
$2.50
CARE OF GRAVES OF G. A. R. FUND
Savings Deposit
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$816.94
$816.94
On hand at end of year 1951
819.23
819.23
1951
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$18.29 Added to savings de-
posit
$2.29
Transfer to Town 16.00
$18.29
$18.29
MARY SOUTH CEMETERY LOTS FUND
Savings
Deposit
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$245.83
$245.83
On hand at end of year 1951
247.34
247.34
1951
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$5.51 Added to savings de-
posit
$5.51
$5.51
$5.51
MONUMENT FUND-SONS OF VETERANS POST NO. 123
Savings
Deposit Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$115.48 $115.48
On hand at end of year 1951
114.03 114.03
74
ANNUAL REPORT
1951
Payments
Receipts
Income
$2.55
Transfer to Town $4.00
From Principal
1.45
$4.00
$4.00
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings Deposit
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$3,720.27
$3,720.27
On hand at end of year 1951
3,753.07
3,753.07
1951
Payments
Receipts
Income-Interest
$85.35
Added to savings de- posits
$22.85
Transfer to Town
62.50
$85.35
$85.35
POST WAR REHABILITATION FUND
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1951
$5,034.38
$428.58
$5,462.96
On hand at end of year 1950
5,034.38
438.27
5,472.65
1951
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$9.69 Added to savings de-
$9.69
Cash in general
posit
Cash in Treasury
5,034.38
Treasury Dec. 31,
1951
$5.034.38
$5,044.07
$5,044.07
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD H. ALDRICH,
Town Treasurer.
Town of Douglas
Balance Sheet-December 31, 1951
GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash:
Payroll Deductions:
In banks and office
$99.708.00
Federal Taxes
$3,450.55
County Retirement Fund 262.71
Blue Cross and Blue Shield 333.35
Accounts Receivable : Taxes:
Levy of 1950
$65.26
Levy of 1951
1,399.99
Overpayment on Taxes: Taxes 1951
1,275.00
1,465.25
Overestimates 1951:
State Park and Reservations $70.98
Motor Vehicle Excise :
Levy of 1951
1,470.64
Tax Titles
$492.88
Tax Possessions
2,065.46
Post-War Rehabilitation Fund Trust Funds Income :
Mowry School Fund
$11.69
Departmental:
New Town Hall
$37.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
349.23
Highways
206.83
Aid to Dependent Children 171.39
117.00
795.74
532.22
Buffington Gift for School Refer- ence Library
51.87
75
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
455.03 5,034.38
2,558.34
Adeline Pierce Sanborn Library Fund 20.44
Moses Wallis Devise 414.38
Veterans' Benefits
County Tax 384.05
$4,046.61
Water:
Rates
$1,813.21
Road Machinery Rental Fund
487.14
Compensation Insurance Fund
292.47
Sale of Cemetery Lots and Graves
149.00
Dog Fund 1951 Unexpended
99.74
Aid to Highways:
State:
Chapter 81 $2,287.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance 1,000.00
Chapter 90 Construction
6,000.00
County :
Chapter 90 Maintenance 1,000.00
Administration 2,437.88
Aid
4,067.74
13,287.00
7,603.94
General Accounts:
Special Town Hall Repairs 559.40
Fire Hose Special 260.00
Civilian Defense 283.60
Chapter 90 Construction 74.71
Water-Douglas Center Exten.
2,069.58
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus Overlays Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1950 $77.50
3,247.29 3.579.40
ANNUAL REPORT
76
Tailings
51.87
Miscellaneous
77.71
1,890.92
Unexpended Balances: Federal Grants:
Aid to Dependent Children: Administration
$308.95
Aid
789.37
Old Age Assistance:
Chapter 90 Construction
3,000.00
Underestimate 1951: County T. B. Assessment 260.77
Levy of 1951
1,399.99
1,477.49
Revenue Reserved Until Collected :
Motor Vehicle Excise
$1,470.64
Tax Title and Possessions
2,558.34
Departmental
532.22
Water
1,890.92
Aid to Highways
13,287.00
19,739.12
Water Available Surplus
4,719.86
Surplus Revenue
68,048.84
$121,173.14
$121,173.14
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt $70,000.00
Additional Water Supply Loan
$70,000.00
$70,000.00
$70,000.00
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
7'7
INDEX
Accountant's Report
15
Table of Accounts-Between Pages 16 and 17
Balance Sheet
75
Agent Moses Wallis Devise
41
Animal Inspector
54
Board of Assessors
23
Board of Health Nurse
45
Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance 32
Civilian Defense Director
69
Comparison of Departmental Expenditures, 1935-1951 (Inclusive)
Dog Officer
Finance Committee Report
Fire Department Report
Forest Warden Report
Highway Superintendent
Inspector of Slaughtering
Library Treasurer's Report
3
Officers of the Town of Douglas
5
Police Report
36
School Report
81
School Committee
2
School Calendar
4 5
Age and Grade Table-Boys
11
Age and Grade Table-Girls
12
Attendance Record-1951
13
List of Teachers
14
Per Pupil Costs, Tax Rates etc., 1950-51
15
How the School Dollar is Spent
16
Report of Douglas Memorial High School
17
Report of School Nurse
18
Report of Supervisor of Music
21
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
22
Report of Supervisor of Writing
23
Report of Teacher of Brass and Woodwind Instruments
24
Report of Director of Physical Education
25
Statistical Statement
27
Sealer of Weights and Measures
48
Tax Collector
61
Tax Rates in the Town of Douglas
14
Town Clerk's Report
24
Town Hall Report
40
Treasurer's Report
72
Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
56
Veterans Service Director
44
Warrant for Town Meeting-Follows School Report
Water Commissioners
49
Wire Inspector 53
58 57 8 34 55 64 54 59
List of Jurors
Report of Superintendent of Schools
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
S.
INCO
16
RPO
ED,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1951
2
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee submits the following report for the financial year ending December 31, 1951:
The appropriation for the Schools amounted to The expenditures amounted to
$87,000.00
86,998.33
We received the following reimbursements:
$20,062.26
Chapter 70 as amended
5,055.18
School Transportation
527.96
Tuition for State Wards
235.47
Tuition from other towns
286.31
Transportation of State Wards
1.33
Sale of supplies and refunds
26,168.51
$60,829.82
This reduces the Net Cost of the Schools to .
EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT For the Period Ending December 31, 1951
1951
1951
1952
EXPEND-
BUDGET ITURES BUDGET
GENERAL EXPENSES:
Secretary to Superintending School Committee
Miscellaneous School Committee
Superintendent's Salary
$3,950.00
$4,104.66
$4,360.00
EXPENSES FOR INSTRUCTION:
20,090.00
19,985.75
22,200.00
Teachers, High School
30,800.00
30,303.25
35,000.00
Teachers, Elementary
800.00
533.86
600.00
Substitute Teachers
2,260.00
2,146.32
2,350.00
Special Teachers
99.00
700.00
Home Instruction
850.00
754.78
850.00
Text Books, High
850.00
813.95
980.00
Text Books, Elementary
1,000.00
999.15
1,000.00
Supplies, High
800.00
798.36
1,000.00
Supplies, Elementary
150.00
151.85
300.00
Visual Education
57,600.00
56,586.27
64,980.00
3
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
1951
1951
1952
EXPEND-
BUDGET ITURES BUDGET
EXPENSES FOR OPERATION:
Janitor, High Janitor, Elementary
Janitor, Douglas Center
6,392.00
6,507.17
7,035.00
Fuel High
Fuel, Elementary,
Fuel, Douglas Center
2,750.00
2,587.22
2,750.00
Lights and Power, High
Lights and Power, Elementary
550.00
405.20
450.00
Telephone, High
Telephone, Elementary
250.00
271.62
300.00
Janitors' Supplies, High
Janitors' Supplies, Elem.
378.00
375.03
429.00
Water Dept., High
Water Dept., Elementary
30.00
33.00
36.00
10,350.00
10,179.24
11,000.00
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:
High School
Elementary Schools
4,000.00
5,563.74
5,000.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Health, High
Health, Elementary
1,590.00
1,586.92
1,730.00
Transportation, High
Transportation, Elementary
8,260.00
7,609.70
8,880.00
Tuition
350.00
297.50
350.00
Athletics
300.00
332.13
300.00
10,500.00
9,826.25
11,260.00
INSURANCE
100.00
213.50
100.00
NEW EQUIPMENT
500.00
524.67
800.00
$87,000.00 $86,998.33 $97,500.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Baylis G. Aldrich, 1952, Chairman E. Mialma Jenckes, 1952, Secretary Louis Callahan, 1953 Andrew Cencak, 1953 Anthony H. Coppola, 1954 William J. Dunleavy, 1954
4
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
DAYS
September
18
Schools open September 5
October
22
October 12-Columbus Day
November
19
November 2-Teachers' Convention
Nov. 22-Nov. 26-Thanksgiving Re- cess
December
15
December 21-January 2 - Christmas Recess
January
22
February 15-February 25-Vacation
February
16
March
21
April
16
Good Friday-April 11
April 18-April 28 Vacation
May
21
May 30-Memorial Day
June
15
Schools close June 20
185
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
7:15 A,M,-3 blasts of the Hayward Mill whistle, repeated- No school in all schools-All day
11:30 A,M,-3 blasts of the Hayward Mill whistle, repeated- One session, in which case schools will close at 12.15 P.M.
7.00 A.M .- 7.28 A.M .- 7.45 A,M-8:15 A.M .- WTAG broadcast of "no school" bulletins
Since weather reports are not always reliable, and because the school department wishes to render maximum educational service by having schools open the greatest number of days, storm signals will not be used when there is reasonable doubt. Weather conditions may warrant the non-attendance of certain pupils who at the moment lack normal health. This would tend to make it advisable for parents to keep the child at home.
Good health is essential to sound education. Care for your child's health by keeping him at home when in your opinion as a parent, his health interest would be best served.
5
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Douglas:
Please accept my fifth annual report as Superintendent of Schools in Douglas.
The American system of free and universal elementary and sec- ondary education is unique in history and a distinguishing charac- teristic of our society. This system is the greatest safeguard of the freedom of our people. It is one of the best guarantees of their social and economic well-being. The education of our citizens in the way of democracy is one of the most important responsibilities of each community.
Local school boards and other state education authorities re- present the public in the administration of education. Working with the professional staff, these authorities are responsible for carefully planned programs of education within the ability of the community to pay, and for obtaining the participation of the people in planning the kind of schools and education they need, want, and can afford.
These administrative bodies, however, can never forget their origin. They are not groups apart from society, but representatives of all the people. The essence of our democracy is its complete in- clusiveness. As such a group, then, school people must employ all available means to challenge the interest of the public to promote the widest possible participation in formulating programs of public education. Continuing evaluation of the program, the physical facili- ties, and the personnel are essential to the improvement of our schools. As society becomes more complex, so the scope and quality of education necessary for effective citizenship in that society in- creases. In no other way can we bring about development of the individual to enable him to live intelligently and happily in our free democratic society.
The need for citizens to have ample and accurate knowledge of the public schools should be more fully recognized by the citizens and the professional school personnel. Interest in education on the part of the citizen is salutary-in fact, essential; but that interest should take the form of intelligent study of the situation in coopera- tion with the school authorities, and with a mind open to recognize what those authorities are attempting and what may be the difficul-
6
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
ties under which they labor. Too often, what might be helpful sug- gestion becomes, through public impatience or lack of true evaluation, mere carping criticism, which loses its potentiality of influence.
SCHOOL READINESS, SCHOOL ADMISSION, AND FIRST GRADE OBJECTIVES
The consensus of opinion among research workers in the field of early primary education is that children are most successful in learning to read under ordinary schoolroom conditions when they have reached that degree of maturity represented by a mental age of approximately six years to six and one-half years. There is good evidence to show that children whose mental age is less than six years are less successful, and are slower in mastering the reading rudiments, than are those who have more mental maturity. It should, of course, be understood that other factors must also be considered; probably, however, mental age is the most indicative single trait. The relatively few children of high IQ whose chrono- logical age is under six, but whose mental age is found to be not less than six years and ten months, may also be expected to succeed. For the vast majority of children, however, whose mental age and chronological age reasonably correspond, satisfactory progress can- not be expected before the seventh year. And for that very sizable group who, though chronologically six at school entrance, have mental ages between five and six, readiness to undertake reading at the beginning of the first year of school is very uncertain. For a good many of this group, success in passing the average reading requirements of the first grade is out of the question.
Admission of children younger than the suggested minimum age can be justified only on some other basis than chronological age. There are only two such justifiable bases:
1/ (a) Previous kindergarten attendance for a whole year, with orderly and systematic all-around growth during the period: and/or
(b) A mental age of six years, or better, accompanied by suffi- cient physical maturity and satisfactory social and emotional ma- turation to suggest harmonious adjustment in the school.
Readiness for first grade in these exceptional cases can be safely assumed only when the kindergarten teacher's judgement is favorable, or when scores achieved on adequate classification, intelli- gence, or other readiness tests indicate a maturation distinctly beyond the norms for the chronological age in every case. In this connection, the circumstance must not be lost sight of that mere acceleration in mental age over chronological, unaccompanied by physical, social, and emotional maturation to correspond, is not a satisfactory basis for admitting a child to school.
7
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Even though children admitted to the first grade have a chrono- logical age of six years, or better, and manifest normal maturation in the areas suggested, the fact must still remain that not more than 20% of them will be ready to engage immediately in formal reading and number programs. 60% of the children in any typical first grade will require at least an entire semester, and some of them the complete year, before they will be ready for the traditional and conventional work of learning. To introduce children whose mental age is less than six years and six months to formal reading is to court pedagogical disaster for them, both now and in subsequent grades. To have a mental age of six and a half, the typical child must have reached likewise a chronological age of six and a half. Below average children may, before they reach a mental age of six and a half, be seven years old, or even older. It is obvious that read- ing will need to be delayed for them still longer than for the average group.
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