Chapter XIV

Abstract

Schools, and the Board of Education. San Diego hoped to accomplish four things by participating in the experiment. These are identified in the objectives determined by the local administrators:First, to extend the use of available skilled teachers over a large group of students Second, to provide for effective instruction through the use of noncredentialed services in lieu of services of regularly certificated teachers Third, to assist in the recruiting of competent people to be teachers of the future Fourth, to improve the quality of instruction by the team approach.The experiment was set up under the administrative guidance of the assistant superintendent in charge of secondary schools. Volunteers were called for among both principals and teachers. Since it was planned to use college students as aides, the four schools selected were those located near the San Diego State College. This was a necessary arrangement so students might work four hours a day helping in the experiment and still be within reasonable distance in order to pursue their college work the rest of the day.The local schools decided on the subject areas to be included in the experiment. No department or teacher was required to participate. Participants entered wholeheartedly into the experiment.The second year started with a three day, pre-school workshop, September 2, 3, and 4. It began auspiciously with Robert Moore, AssociateDirector of the Commission, as the leader. The fact that about half of the teachers had taken part in the experiment during the first year was of much help to the neophytes. at NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV LIB on June 28, 2015 bul.sagepub.com Downloaded from 148Again it was fortunate that it was possible to obtain college students as aides. One of the objectives of the experiment was to assist in recruiting young persons who demonstrated potential as teachers. Several aides who had not planned to enter education as a career have decided to do so as a result of their work in this program.Beginning with September 1959, the experiment was expanded to include five secondary schools-the Mabel O'Farrell Junior High School joined the original group of four. The number of teams was increased froip nine to thirteen, and the number of teachers from sixteen to twentytwo, with an enrollment increase from 1,693 to 2,200 students.There were several changes made in subject area teams, in personnel of teams, and in the location of teams, considered necessary by the addition of a new school plant and the inevitable transfer of teachers.In addition to the genuine interest and enthusiasm of the teachers and principals cooperating in the project, there were other factors that contributed to its success. Among these were the novelty of the experiment, the opportunity to break away from tradition with impunity, the acquiring of status among ones colleagues, and the realization that the country in general seemed to be observing them.The evaluation of the experiment was conducted by Dr. George A. Koester, Professor of Education, San Diego State Colle...