Mary Lackie

The day of ghetto solutions to educational problems has passed, because public and private school educators must share new approaches to needs, said Sister Ann Julie, S.N.D.

One of four panelists discussing “Education Today,” at the St. Thomas More adult program Dec. 5, Sister Ann Julie said, “If we are to be honest, school is not the only answer-there are may forms of Catholic education needed in the 20th century—schools of religion, action on campus in Newman Clubs, and in secular society.”

Anticipating school programs of the 1970s, Mrs. Carolyn Thorley, Spalding Drive School, said education is a big business.

Federal funds can provide money unavailable to communities but the teacher must be prepared so that the visual aids, closed-circuit television, and other materials are used to provide a meaningful experience of the child and not as a crutch for poor classroom preparation.

“In the future, education will be moving from group to individual instruction. We are interested in quality, not quantity,” Mrs. Thorley said. “For too long fear of ‘not covering the book’ was uppermost in teachers’ minds. They should be encouraged to try new methods keeping what is good from the old, rejecting that which is no longer effective.’

“I do not have to acquaint you with all the problems teachers face,” said Mrs. Lithangia Robinson, Victoria Simmons Elementary School. Teacher problems have remained basically the same, but have been magnified with the increase in scientific and mathematical knowledge, the problems of inequality of certification, tenure, and methods, the teacher must be well-prepared, and aware of in legislative programs.

Mrs. Robinson said, “The computer age is upon us—facts are important, but how do we teach facts when 10 to 12 years from now, the elementary child will be employed in jobs which have not yet been invented? How do we teach children to place ideals and concepts, to form critical judgments to prepare for this new age?”

Report cards, the traditional method of evaluating pupil progress provide the parents with information about the child and the effectiveness of the school system, said Sister Mary Aloysisus, S.N.D., principal of St. Thomas More School. However, there is a real need to improve the marking and reporting systems, the nun said.

“The system works at its best for the teacher when there are conferences. Home-school communication is important because it gives the teacher insights, helps the child to a realistic understanding of himself, and provides both teachers and parents with a deeper understanding of the child’s potential and all aspects of his growth and development,” Sister Mary Aloysius said.

Comments in the discussion that followed covered the problems of obtaining federal funds and the need to work in partnership with public schools so that both systems can exchange ideas and learn form the other.

“I am a product of public education and attended a religion-oriented non-Catholic university. Whatever the money, aids or programs, the teacher is primary. The only way you can achieve immortality this side of Heaven is to be a good teacher.”

“Someone asked me if Catholics have to pay county taxes and parochial school tuition. I said, “What do you think I have been lamenting about?” To change this attitude is also a process of education.