The Plight of the “Able Student”: Ruth Wright Hayre and the Struggle for Equality in Philadelphia's Black High Schools, 1955–1965

Within a large city… it would be most unwise to attempt to say what is the correct curriculum or organization of all the high schools under the management of the city school board… I am convinced American secondary education can be made satisfactory without any radical changes in the basic pattern. This can only be done, however, if the citizens in many localities display sufficient interest in their schools and are willing to support them. The improvement must come school by school and be made with due regard for the nature of the community (Dr. James Conant, The American High School Today, 1959).Educational opportunity must be equal for all young people, regardless of the neighborhood they live in and the school they attend (Dr. Ruth Wright Hayre, Principal, William Penn High School for Girls, 1961).

Arithmetical Errors Made by High School Pupils

During the school year 1915-16 a review arithmetic test was given to the entering pupils of the William Penn High School of Philadelphia. The questions were prepared by Dr. J. T. Rorer, head of the Department of Mathematics, William Penn High School, and Dr. George W. Flounders, examiner of the Board of Public Education of Philadelphia. An exact copy of the test is given below. The exercises were all printed on one sheet and there was ample space left after each exercise for the solution.

Notes and News

The spring meeting of the Philadelphia Section of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics was held on April 17. Interesting papers were read by Professor Bateman, of Bryn Mawr College, on “The Work of an English Mathematical Student,” and by Dr. R. L. Moore, of the University of Pennsylvania, on “The Axioms of Geometry.” The discussion on the latter was opened by Dr. Durell, of the Laurenceville School, and Dr. Rorer, of the William Penn High School.

Notes and News

DR. J. T. RORER, of the Central High School, Philadelphia, has been asked to organize and direct the mathematical courses of the new William Penn High School for Girls, of that city, which will comprise both academic and vocational departments. Dr. Rorer has accepted the election and will enter upon his new duties in September.