Focus on Education Reflection on yesterday’s schooling

Last November, 1998, I visited Reading High School, my alma mater, after 50 years since my graduation in June, 1948. Reading High is a big school with 3,500 students distributed among the 10th, 11th and 12th grades. Stroll with me as I reflect on the visit.

At the entrance of the school was a sign: “Notice- All students and guests are subject to metal detector and physical inspection upon entering.” I was asked if I had anything to declare. After this initial shock, I went to a desk where I registered and stated my purpose for the visit. One of the several security guards then escorted me to the principal’s office.

Mr. William Sims, the principal, was cordial and offered to escort me around the school. Hung from his neck and the neck of every teacher and student was an ID card with a photo. When I inquired why everyone was wearing one, he told me that it was for identification because many students when caught being delinquent lie about their identity. Should any teacher or student forget to wear it or bring it to school there is a penalty. It is necessary for everyone’s security.

As I roamed the halls little seemed familiar. The school building had greatly expanded during the fifty years. Mr. Sims showed me the well stocked library. Then he led me into a rear room which was a television broadcasting studio complete with cameras, lights, and the latest equipment. One of the graduates, a manager at the National Broadcasting Corporation in New York, had donated the whole studio.

I visited a classroom that was fitted to look like an office with cubicles and computers. Around the room were other office equipment. On the third floor I noticed children’s murals on the wall depicting nursery rhymes.

When I asked him what they were all about he replied,” Oh, this is the nursery floor for our girls who become pregnant. We encourage them to finish their education so we have created nurseries complete with baby-sitters. During the lunch hour they can play with their babies. If they breast feed we excuse them from class to feed the baby. In this manner about 95% of the girls graduate. Before this program only about 25% did.”

The entire school was spotless. The floors were waxed clean. Mr. Sims told me that anyone caught writing graffiti is reported to the police and charged with vandalism of government property and severely punished. Teachers are required to stand outside their classrooms as students moved through the halls. Hall monitors are strict to anyone not having a hall pass after classes resumed.

The indoor pool was filled with students swimming. In the gym four teams were playing basketball on a huge court. I was told that there are many clubs and sports teams for students to participate in.

As I left I couldn’t help but reflect on my school life back in the 1940’s. The school had been smaller and life seemed simpler.

The major problems we students faced in the 1940’s were: 1. talking out of turn; 2. chewing gum; 3. making noise; 4. running in the halls; 5. getting out of line; 6. wearing improper clothing; 7. not putting paper in the wastebasket.

In the 1990’s, students are faced with: 1. drug abuse; 2. alcohol abuse;3. pregnancy; 4. suicide; 5. rape; 6. robbery; 7. assault.

How society and the schools have changed in 50 years! What a sheltered life we must have led as we were growing up compared to the youth of today. What do you think?