UC-NRLF 
 
 72 775 
 
GIFT OF 
 
Department of Education 
 
 Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 A Summary of the Report by the New York 
 Bureau of Municipal Research to the Syracuse Asso- 
 ciated Charities. 
 
 Horace L. Brittain, Ph. D., Investigator. 
 
 "The public school is just as potent for civic mis- 
 education as for civic education; an unclean school at- 
 mosphere is not only a non-conductor of clean air pre- 
 cept, but an active conductor of disease and enervation. 
 No system of moral instruction in the schools can ever 
 offset the anti-moral conduct of those schools which 
 neglect the health of school children and school teach- 
 ers, waste teacher's time, child's opportunity and tax- 
 payer's money, or set a bad example to other public 
 agencies by claiming immunity for mistakes and ex- 
 emption from criticism. 
 
 "The educational influence of the school, like that 
 of the individual whom it wishes to prepare for citizen- 
 ship, is to be measured by what it does and gets done, 
 rather than by what it says and hopes." 
 
L n = 
 
 Significant Facts Disclosed by the 
 School Survey 
 
 Submitted May, 1912 
 
 i Of needs outlined in this survey, the superintendent of schools has 
 noted and emphasized in his reports the need for 
 a Adequate playgrounds. 
 
 b Improved sanitary condition of school toilets. 
 c More individual instructions for the pupils in the first grade 
 
 2 The lighting of the Lincoln school, with its windows arranged in sets 
 without intervening brick piers, without arched windows and 
 without transoms, shows that the board has set for new schools a 
 high standard of lighting/ 
 
 3 The school grounds in six out of the seven schools visited are so 
 inadequate that, as in the case of ihe "preparatory" school, there 
 is little or no room for organized play. 
 
 4 Most of the schools visited were beautified by suitable pictures and 
 pieces of statuary, though the effect in some cases is marred by 
 the presence of dust and unsanitary surroundings. 
 
 5 No records are to be found in the offices of the superintendent of 
 schools or of the principals from which can be gathered informa- 
 tion necessary for locating, measuring and where possible, 
 correcting. 
 
 a Over-age and its causes. 
 
 b Elimination and its causes. 
 
 c Non-promotion and its causes. 
 
 d Physical defects. 
 
 e Mental defects. 
 
 -5 Many rooms are overcrowded, some of the worst cases being in 
 primary grades and foreign districts. 
 
 a Eight senior schools have more than 44 pupils per teacher. 
 b One senior school whose patronage is almost entirely 
 
 foreign has 43 pupils per teacher. 
 c One junior school enrolling many foreign children has 50.7 
 
 pupils per teacher. 
 </ One primary school enrolling many foreign children has 
 
 43 pupils per teacher. 
 
 e If the average number of pupils per teacher is so large so 
 much too large the actual figures in many rooms 
 within each school must be much larger still. 
 
 7 A good beginning has been made in manual training, cooking and 
 
 sewing and in technical, commercial and pre-vocational instruction. 
 
 8 The merest glance at the facts of non-attendance, non-promotion and 
 
 dropping out shows that the schools should have more than 
 a Only five unassigned teachers. 
 b Only one open air class. 
 c Only one preparatory school. 
 .. ^.Only pne or two ungraded rooms. 
 
q The lighting of room after room visited was found to have one or 
 more of the following defects : 
 
 a Shades were improperly hung. 
 
 b Translucent shades were not provided where needed. 
 
 c There was an inadequate amount of window space in 
 
 proportion to floor area. 
 
 d There were wide brick piers between the windows. 
 e The windows did not reach nearly to the ceiling. 
 f The windows were arched at the top. 
 g The major light came from the rear. 
 h All the light came from the rear. 
 / Windows were placed so that the children must face the 
 
 light. 
 j Seats have not been changed, where easily possible, to 
 
 avoid light from the rear. 
 
 k Rooms are so deep that much of the blackboard space was 
 unavailable and many children had to work in part 
 shadow. 
 
 / Pillars and porticos cut off much light. 
 10 The ventilation represents extremes of defects and excellencies. 
 
 a It is entirely inadequate in some buildings ventilated by 
 
 gravity, for example, the "preparatory" school. 
 b It is insufficient in some buildings, ventilated by the 
 vacuum system, at least one of which, the Putnam, has 
 discontinued the use of the fan. 
 
 c It is under suspicion in some rooms of buildings, which 
 like the Central High are ventilated by plenum system. 
 d Humidifying devices are lacking. 
 e The ventilation is apparently lacking in such schools as 
 
 the William McKinley school. 
 
 n The common drinking cup is still in use on one floor of the Central 
 High school, and above the basement in the Putnam school, 
 although in both of these buildings sanitary drinking fountains 
 are installed. 
 
 12 In the Putnam school a so-called sanitary drinking fountain is located 
 within a few feet of foul smelling urinals and empties into the 
 same sink as the waste pipe from upstairs. 
 
 13 The toilet rooms of several schools such as the Putnam and the "pre- 
 paratory" are not properly ventilated. 
 
 14 In the Putnam school the play rooms and the toilet rooms are not shut 
 off from each other. 
 
 15 Dry sweeping was observed in the buildings where the open air 
 school is located. 
 
 1 6 The minimum salaries of $400.00 for grade teachers and minimum 
 salaries ot $550.00 for female teachers in the high school are too low . 
 In a city of 150,000 they mean certain obstruction to efficiency. 
 
 17 Financial statements are made in such a way that it is not possible to 
 compute from them either the total or per capita costs of adminis- 
 tration and supervision. 
 
 1 8 Syracuse has the germs of several advanced movements. 
 
 a Manufacturers co-operate in providing for summer work 
 
 for pupils in the Technical High. 
 b Improvement associations meet in school rooms. 
 
 Correction 10 e above should read: 
 
 <? The ventilation is apparently satisfactory in such schools 
 as the William McKinley school. 
 
c Mothers' clubs are interesting themselves in certain public 
 
 schools. 
 d The public library provides books for Regents courses to 
 
 school children. 
 e The board of education has a committee on the wider use 
 
 of school buildings. 
 /"The chamber of commerce has a committee on school law 
 
 and a permanent committee on education which has 
 
 issued two large reports. 
 g Various private associations and manufacturing companies 
 
 have been experimenting in industrial education since 
 
 1884. 
 h The dentists of Syracuse have done valuable volunteer 
 
 work in dental inspection. 
 
 19 Nowhere near 100% of the social energy of the community has been 
 applied to the solution of the school problem. 
 
Constructive Suggestions for Correcting the 
 
 Defects Noted in the Preceding 
 
 Significant Facts 
 
 i That continuous record cards be provided at once for superintendents 
 and principals to make available facts as to 
 a Over-age and its causes. 
 b Elimination and its causes. 
 <r Non-promotion and its causes, 
 a? Physical defects and their treatment. 
 e Mental defects and their treatment. 
 
 2 That teachers and principals be interested in securing now, in time 
 for reporting, facts for the current school year, which are called 
 for in the uniform questions promulgated by the United States 
 Bureau of Education as recommended by the National Education 
 Association. 
 
 3 That facts be gathered on explaining the truancy, irregular attend- 
 ance, dropping out, failures of promotion, physical defects, etc., 
 for each class in each school, in time to use such facts in planning 
 next year's school budget and for needed changes in supervision, 
 ventilation, school records, etc. 
 
 4 That financial statements be so recorded as to give the classified 
 facts called for by the United States Bureau of Education as to cost 
 of administration and supervision by pupil, by school, by subject. 
 
 5 That steps be taken now to secure for installations on the first day of 
 the next school year the uniform records financial and education 
 advised by the United States Bureau and the N. E. A. 
 
 6 That steps be taken to learn the success of recent efforts made by the 
 board of education in Rochester to record currently information 
 as to school methods, school work and school results necessary to 
 intelligent placing and supervision. 
 
 7 That steps be taken now to locate overcrowding, particularly in the 
 primary grades and foreign districts, to learn the consequences 
 and to prove the need for avoiding such overcrowding next year, 
 and for making good the pledge of the chamber of commerce to 
 laborers and manufacturers that school children shall be given 
 adequate attention. 
 
 8 That dry sweeping in any part of school buildings, particularly in 
 school rooms be stopped at once. 
 
 9 That interest of janitors in all points ot hygiene be enlisted and 
 compelled by promulgating uniform detailed regulations and by 
 requiring supervision by principals under the rules. 
 
 10 That the common drinking cup be immediately abolished wherever it 
 has survived, and that sanitary drinking fountains be installed 
 sufficient in number and properly located. 
 
 ii That toilet arrangements be made entirely sanitary, and that where 
 necessary repairs or re-constructions be made during vacation no 
 matter what the necessary expense. 
 
 12 That ventilating methods and conditions be immediately investigated 
 while buildings are still heated to show where repairs and re-con- 
 structions may be necessary for next year. 
 
a That an anemometer be supplied for testing the air. 
 
 b That plenum fans and exhaust fans be installed. 
 
 c That humidifying devices be employed, such as evaporat- 
 ing pans, humidifying plants and hygrometer for 
 currently testing the air. 
 
 d That in all projected buildings mistakes should be avoided 
 by securing the last word on school ventilation. 
 
 13 That the lighting needs of each room be studied. 
 
 a That in rooms lighted from one side and from the rear the 
 
 seating at once be changed. 
 
 b That shades may be properly hung everywhere. 
 c That translucent shades be supplied in many rooms and 
 
 supplemented by opaque shades attached at the bottom 
 
 of the window. 
 
 d That extra windows may be added in many places. 
 c That transoms may be abolished. 
 /That in some cases brick piers can be removed. 
 g That in all projected buildings mistakes should be avoided 
 
 by securing the last word on school lighting. 
 
 14 That the control of hygiene and sanitation by the board of education 
 be made more effective. 
 
 a The superintendent of schools might be given a veto on all 
 school plans and the right to suspend temporarily any 
 janitor for neglect of duty. 
 
 b An advisory committee of school principals might be 
 established. 
 
 I5 That the advisability be considered of appointing a director of school 
 hygiene to work under the direction of the building and hygiene 
 committee and the superintendent of schools to 
 
 a Pass upon all plans for new buildings, additions and 
 
 repairs. 
 
 b Supervise the work of janitors. 
 c Instruct teachers in the methods of teaching the elements 
 
 of hygiene and sanitation. 
 
 d Take charge and utilize physical records of schoolchildren. 
 e Supervise play at school, athletics, etc. 
 
 16 That the need for higher minimum and maximum salaries of teachers 
 be made clear to taxpayers. 
 
 a By facts showing whether or not low salaries cause a high 
 
 rate ot withdrawals from the schools. 
 b Whether or not the rates paid in Syracuse are lower than 
 
 those of competing school systems. 
 
 c How far, if at all, desirable teachers, whose homes are in 
 Syracuse, consider the privilege of living at home an 
 offset to possible increases of salary elsewhere. 
 
 17 That a minimum standard for space and school grounds be adopted, 
 and a minimum standard for all new sites and that additional 
 ground be bought either immediately surrounding or near some of 
 the existing buildings. 
 
 18 That in elementary schools having abjustable furniture, it be adjusted' 
 and the non-adjustable furniture be re-arranged so as to mee* 
 individual needs. 
 
i 9 That additional provision be made at once for the unusual, atypical, 
 backward and anaemic children, by 
 a More ungraded classes. 
 b More preparatory schools. 
 c More open air classes. 
 ^/Special instruction now to prevent the failure of children 
 
 in June and unnecessary repetition of a term's work. 
 e Special efforts to enlist parents' help for children in danger 
 
 of failing at the end of this term. 
 
 /Catch-up classes for backward classes and go-ahead classes 
 for exceptionally bright pupils arranged for summer 
 vacation schools. 
 
 ao That facts be gathered now to determine just where, just how much 
 and in just what way forward steps should be taken next year in 
 industrial and pre-vocational training. 
 
 a That definite arrangements be made for instituting next 
 autumn the proposed part-time industrial education in 
 co-operation with local manufacturers. 
 
 b That pre-vocational courses be established in the grades. 
 c That continuation courses be established for working 
 
 children. 
 d That further vocational courses be offered in the Technical 
 
 High school. 
 
 e That industrial courses be offered in the summer schools 
 
 and additional industrial courses in the evening schools. 
 
 3i That steps be taken now to command approximately 100% of the 
 
 community's outside civic interest in solving Syracuse educational 
 
 problems as follows : 
 
 a A conference of present and possible co-operating agencies 
 
 should be called now to outline plans for effective 
 
 co-operation among outside agencies and between 
 
 outside agencies and the board of education next year. 
 
 b Parent teacher clubs could be successfully maintained in 
 
 connection with every school having more than four 
 
 rooms. 
 
 c The use of school buildings for social purposes should be 
 
 extended. 
 
 d A continuing central agency whether independent or part 
 of some existing agency like the Associated Charities or 
 Chamber of Commerce, would unquestionably be wel- 
 comed alike by school authorities and the general public. 
 22 That purposive publicity be inaugurated: 
 
 a To acquaint taxpayers with school needs. 
 b To insure public interest in the regular work of the schools 
 and in the needs of children, normal and sub-normal, 
 native and foreign 
 
 c To substitute active support for passive support of the 
 board of education in its effort to increase the schools' 
 efficiency. 
 
The school officials are not blind fo the needs outlined in the 
 foregoing pages and are trying to meet them. The following 
 things have been done since the report was submitted in May. 
 
 i A continuous record system similar to the one recom- 
 mended under article i of the Constructive Suggestions 
 has been installed. 
 
 2 Investigation is being made of the "over-age" problem. 
 3 Overcrowding has been eliminated to a fair degree by 
 transferring children from the overcrowded to the less 
 congested schools. 
 
 4 Dry sweeping has been abolished. 
 5 Play grounds for some schools have been improved. 
 The following work is being planned: 
 
 i The development of a definite system for school building. 
 This includes among other things 
 
 a The replacement of out-of-date structures with 
 
 modern buildings. 
 
 b The proper placing of new school buildings. 
 c The development of industrial centers. 
 d The constant betterment of school architecture 
 from standpoint of light, ventilation, sanita- 
 tion, etc. 
 2 The betterment of sanitary conditions of present structures 
 
 as fast as funds will permit. 
 
 3 To establish truant classes, to supplant the present inef- 
 fective and expensive truant school. 
 
 4 To provide classes for backward children and increase the 
 number of open-air schools. 
 
Gaylord Bros. 
 
 Makers 
 Syracuse, N. Y 
 
 1908 
 
 6324 
 
 
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