PATTERNS OF SELECTED INNOVATIONS IN DETROIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 1895-1945

345 Pages·023.952 MB·English

by  PERRY, DOROTHY M

PATTERNS OP SELECTED INNOVATIONS
IN DETROIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
1895 - 1945
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate Council of Wayne University
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
the Degree of Doctor of Education
in the
Department of Education
BY
DOROTHY M. PERRY
Detroit, Michigan
"Wayric University1
«v'"'r./f. MieS^'S Thesis
I
I
PREFACE
The twentieth century has precipitated a testing of human
values unequalled in recorded time. Two major phenomena have in­
fluenced the critical course of contemporary destiny, namely the
invention of total, mechanized warfare and the contraction of
space due to improved methods of transportation and communication.
The manifest inability of mankind to resolve its problems
rapidly enough to predict, in the present, a happy future has
given impetus to critical analysis of social practices in some
areas of the globe.
The most severe test has fallen to those nations who sup­
port the democratic ideal.
The production of good citizens, indoctrinated with demo­
cratic values has become the cultural end of the democratic gov­
ernments .
The public schools of the United States are the basic
educative institutions wherein good citizens may be developed.
This strategic assignment has focalized upon them the most criti­
cal of evaluations.
An oft-reiterated criticism of the educational system
deals with the assumption that institutionalized education re­
sponds phlegmatically to imperative social needs.
This paper is an attempt to test this hypothesis by tra­
cing a minuscule sample, fifteen innovations introduced into the
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Detroit Elementary Schools In the half-century between 1895 and.
1945. The inventions were studied in terms of chronology, agents
provocateurs, pressures, aids and obstacles by way of inducing
adequate conclusions and reasonable interpretations.
The ultimate purpose Includes the delineation of hypothe­
ses that 3.nay lead to the discovery and implementation of Improved
and accelerated evaluative practices.
With sincere appreciation for time and conscientious as­
sistance far beyond expectancy, the writer wishes to thank her
committee: Dr, Ray Srnittle, Dr. Harold Soderquist, Dr. William
Reits, Dr. Kathryn Peyereizen and Dr. Raymond Miller.
For Invaluable contributions to the paper13 completion
with deepest gratitude the author wishes to thank Dr. Stuart A.
Courtis, Miss Helen Mers, Miss Charlotte Sallee, Mr. Glenn Long-
worth, Miss Celia Kimszal, Mis3 Lydia MIthoff, Miss Rhoda Mont­
gomery, Mr. Rudolph Wille, Mr. Edward Haywood, Mr. Hyman Pavsner,
Miss Denise Lundquest, Mrs. Virginia Ingles, Mr. Samuel Coburn,
Dr. Miles Romney, Mrs. Alma Ooburn and Mrs. Louise Millard.
For permissive assistance, acknowledgement, with apprecia­
tion is due to Mr. Arthur Dondlneau, Dr. Herman Browe, Miss Flo­
rence Kuhn and Miss Claudia 7/ilson.
For material aid in the area of data, records and factual
corroboration the writer wishes to express deepest appreciation
to Mr. D. Silagyi, Mr. E. Kupsoff, Dr. J. Voorhees, Miss Jennie
Clowe, Mr. T. Montgomery, Miss Katherine Malarney, Dr. W. Bergman,
Mrs. Donald Schram, Miss Laurentlne Collins, Miss Anna M. Engel,
Miss Sarah Kerr, Miss Mabel Cliff, Mr. L. A. Wiles, Mr. John S.
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Thomas, Miss Grace Graveline, Miss Irma Unruh, Miss Elsa Sheridan,
Miss Aimee Rosenthal, Miss Agnes Swan, Mr. Wm. Chamberlain, Mrs.
M. Susiok, Mr. M. Irwin, Mr. G. Graham and others whose gracious
assistance have made this dissertation possible.
D.M.P.
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TABLE OP CONTENTS
Pag©
PREFACE ii
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES ix
Chapter
I. THE PROBLEM 1
Introduction
Definitions
Previous Research
Purposes of This Study
II. PROCEDURES 16
Initial Data
Bases for Selection
III. THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PATTERN 37
IV. THE TEACHER SELECTION PROGRAM IN DETROIT
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 50
V. ESTABLISHMENT OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IN
DETROIT 68
VI. GROWTH OF PARENTS CLUBS 78
VII. THE GROWTH PATTERN OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES
FOR CHILDREN 91
VIII. ..THE VISITING TEACHER SERVICE IN DETROIT . . . 101
IX. THE LUNCH SERVICE PROGRAM IN DETROIT 115
X. THE NURSERY SCHOOL MOVEMENT 124
XI. THE DETROIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PERIOD 137
XII. MANUSCRIPT WRITING IN THE DETROIT SCHOOLS . . 148
Page
XIII. TKE TEACEING OP CONSERVATION IN THE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF DETROIT 155
XIV. THE SUMMER SCHOOL PATTERN IN DETROIT .... 169
XV. THE RISE OP A CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM IN
DETROIT 180
XVI. DETROIT'S PLATOON SYSTEM CYCLE 195
XVII. PROGRAM OF SAFETY EDUCATION IN DETROIT ... 213
XVIII. SYNTHESIS AND COMPARISONS 222
XIX. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS 252
BIBLIOGRAPHY 261
APPENDICES 280
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1. Innovations Which Affect Personnel. ....... 23
2. Innovations Which Affect the Pupil in His
Communal Role 24
3. Innovations in Specialized Devices, Agencies and
Services 25
: 4. Practices Directly Affecting the Curriculum ... 27
5. Thirty Selected Innovations 32
i
I 6. Growth of Special Services in Chronological
\ Order . . 96
i
i.
| 7. Volume of Visiting Teacher Cases 'Ill
t
| 8. Distribution of Cases by School Division and Sex. Ill
i
| 9. Chronological Progress of School Lunch Service. . 122
| 10, Diffusion of Conference Innovation in Detroit in
H 1949 144
11. Number of Detroit Schools Using Manuscript
Writing 4 151
12. Record of Summer School Growth 173
13. Increase in Platoon Schools 1918-1923 203
14. Type, Budgetary Importance and Agent Provocateur
of Fifteen Selected Innovations 226
15. Progress of Innovations Related to Budget
Considerations 228
16. Innovations Listed According to Type by Periods
of Diffusion 231
17. Innovations Listed in Period of Implementation,
Greatest Diffusion and Budgetary Dependence . . . 233
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Table Page
18. Span of Years Covered by Innovations in
Levels 1 and 2 with Beginning Dates in
United States and Detroit 235
19. Number of Years in Diffusion of Fifteen
Innovations 236
20. Time Division of Fifteen Innovations from
First Diffusion to 1945 237
21. Total Life Span of Fifteen Innovations by
Phases 238
22. Diffusion Status of Fifteen Innovations. . . . 243
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LIST OP FIGURES
Figure Page
1. Composite Diffusion Chart Based on Nine
Adaptations 4
2. Progress of Innovations in the Field of Public
Relations 44
3. Results of Detroit Survey in Seventeen Public
Schools Using Public Relation Techniques .... 46
4. Increase in Teaching Requirements 65
5. Progress of Educational Research 75
6. Increase of Parent Organizations in the United
States . 81
7. Increase of Parent Organizations in Miohigan . . 87
8. Increase of Parent Organizations in Detroit. . . 88
9. Special Services for Children - Detroit Public
Schools 98
10. National and State Developments In Visiting
Teacher Programs 113
11. Progressive Development of Nursery School
Movement . 134
12. Rise of the Conference Period in Detroit .... 145
13. Rise and Diffusion of Manuscript Writing .... 153
14. Innovations in The Field of Conservation .... 166
15. The Summer School Pattern in Detroit ...... 176
16. Steps in Citizenship Education 191
17. The Development of the Platoon System in Detroit 209
18. Total Years of Fifteen Innovations 242
19. The Development of Fifteen Innovations by.
Decades 245
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