Maple Avenue Evening High School - Progress Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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the acquirement of that knowledge, may be safely put down as a good citizen, a safe citizen and a poriftable citizen. The prejudice against trade schools - and there has been such pre- judice - has been that such schools put theory above practice and turned out mechanics on papern who became completely lost when they got into the thick of the work on 'a job. Any school which with necessarily limited quarters, claims to be able to take an untrained, inexperienced person and make a thoroughly equipped mechanic out of him in a few short months, is claiming something that any practical man in the industries knows to be an impossibility. A canvas of the situation as regarding Vocational Training at the present time would 'seem to show that the most necessary and advisable thing to do is to work towards -a system of practical trade-extension in- struction by Which the workers could be classified and the experienced mechanic who has learned his trade in the past, given the things which he lacks - the more scientific methods which the industry has evolved since the time he learned his trade - and the learner or apprentice given the necessary preparatory and supplemental training to perfect him in what- ever grade or year he belongs so that every step he takes may be along the most approved and scientific, and therefore most economic, lines, thus producing a finished and efficient mechanic. Page Thi!-ty-eig-ht Architectural Drafting Class

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Sl-:iii and Quality the Demand Tracie Extension the Hope By D. C. CASSELMAN Secretary-Manager Los Angeles Builders' Exchange T no time in history has there been such a demand for skill, quality, and general efficiency in the building industry as V the present. While we may be equal, in a degree, to meet the exigencies of to-day, what of the future? Without elaboration or comparison as to other crafts, mention of the fact that Govern- ment statistics show that 53? of the plasterers of to-day are forty-six years of age or older, may be of interest. What is being done to supplant the retiring members of this partic- ular craft and others as Well? The Vocational Training and Trade Exten- sion Schools appear the very best short cut practical solution, and the thought and theory developing throughout the land is evidence that such schools as the Maple Avenue Evening High School should receive the united recognition and support of the community. The department at Washington, Board of Education, and civic organi- zations in general, have recognized the importance and beneficial results of such work, properly applied. This is not intended for the apprentice alone, in fact, the endeavor is beyond, all things included. The Worker who is ambitious, industrious, and far-seeing enough to realize the value of better trade training and to devote his spare time to Page Thirty-seven

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All such instruction should be by teachers who, from practical exper- ience, know what is required from the man on the job and who also have the necessary academic training to enable them to successfully impart that knowledge to others. Such a system of trade-extension work would undoubtedly receive the enthusiastic support of employers in shops and on construction work and no intelligent mechanic could reasonably oppose it. The work as carried on in the Maple Avenue Evening School seems to be more nearly along the lines of practical trade-extension work than is generally found elsewhere. One is impressed that the effort is to put into practical effect and extend to the members of the various classes the knowledge of the value of skilled training. e Should the system of trade-extension work expand until a comprehen- sive and thoroughly organized institution for the teaching of it becomes a reality, I am sure it will be welcomed and supported by the building in- dustry of not only this city but the entire country as well. Five Features of Trade Extension 1.-Definite co-operative arrangement between an educational institu- tion and industrial plants, by which instruction is given in supplemental and related work by the institution and the practical experience is given by the industry, and both are co-ordinated in a systematic and progressive educational program. 'i 2.-Willingness on the part of industrial plants to make such adjust- ments in equipment, processes, and methods as are necessary for the pro- motion of educational aims. 3.-Willingness of the educational institution to eliminate non-essen- tials and to base theoretical instruction on what actually happens, and suf- ficient skill in organization to secure realization of theory through its practical application . S l - 4.-Careful selection of employes, instructors, and student workers who are capable of being inspired with a vision of the responsibilities as well as the possibilities of the plan. e ' 5.-Administration of the devices of alternating periods in such a way as to secure continuous and progressive action on the process or job in the factory, as well as in the work of the student and the instructor in the school. Page Thirty-nine