Annual report. [1946]

12.LEARNING TO LIVE

12 LEARNING TO LIVE

has been continuously reduced in the
seventh, eighth, and ninth grades over the
past several years. In 1942 the average
class had 42.8 students, in 1945 class size
was 40.0, and in 1947 it was reduced to 38.3,
thus giving better opportunity for each
child to receive the individual attention of
the teacher. The pupil-teacher ratio has been
reduced in the intermediate schools from
31.5 in March, 1942, to 27.3 in 1947. This
represents one of the bright spots in Detroit's
educational picture. It is through a reduction in class size and pupil-teacher ratio that
more attention can be directed to children
who especially need individualized help
Juvenile Welfare Important
Four years ago the Board of Education
released one teacher to each of the intermediate schools for purposes of studying
attendance problems with the aim of reducing juvenile delinquency. The work of the
attendance teachers has been most satisfactory. During the past year attendance
has been slightly in excess of 93 per cent; a
very good figure since there are always
absences due to illness and other causes
beyond human control.
Two of Detroit's intermediate schools are
actively engaged in the Detroit Citizenship
Study, the product of a $425,000 grant, now
in the third year of a five-year program. This
Study has already won the cooperation of
students and faculty to the point where the
program is beginning to show positive
results in the betterment of citizenship in
these schools.
Continued study is being given to the

problem of reading difficulties among seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students.
Mathematics for daily use is being stressed
for all students. History and geography
receive considerable attention; in fact, they
have undergone a renewed emphasis during
the past year, in part because of the return
of veterans from the war areas. Safety
education receives continued study in the
intermediate school where youth is sometimes thought of as being in the "reckless
age." Radio is playing an important part in
the instructional program, and especially in
motivating students to better speech. It also
offers an opportunity to bring into the
classroom actual historical events, such as
proceedings of the United Nations. Visual
education continues to fortify instruction in
practically all subjects. Each intermediate
school has a well-equipped library which is
widely used by every grade.
Detroit's schools can be said to be community conscious. This is as it should be, for
the public owns the schools and is entitled to
full knowledge of their opportunities, progress, and plans.
Intercultural and inter-racial relations are
matters of particular concern to Detroit.
Special emphasis has been placed on acquainting youth, especially youngsters of
intermediate and high school age, with the
need for an understanding of our world
neighbors and of the people with whom we
must live at home and in nearby states. The
fact that the war years brought many new
people to this city means that our problems
of living together as good neighbors are
numerous. Their solution lies largely in
education.