Editing 76-16-B2 (section)

= The Principal's Principles =

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=== Transcript ===
Usually, a graduation address by a high school principal doesn't make news,
but the one Dr. Howard Hurwitz gave at Long Island City High School, New York,
in late June deserves plenty of attention.

His message brought 1500 students and parents to their feet with cheers and
whistles. It was his farewell after 11 years as principal but is was more. It
concerned the very future of our educational system.

Dr. Hurwitz, you see, believes in discipline and he spoke out about it.
He believes that, in order for a student to learn, the classroom atmosphere
must be conducive to study. That seems simple and direct enough, but for his
beliefs, Dr. Hurwitz became the center of a controversy that extends far beyond
the halls of Long Island City High.

The controversy erupted when Dr. Hurwitz refused to re-admit a 17-year-old
he had suspended for consistent disruption of classes. For his action,
Dr. Hurwitz was suspended by the New York City Board of Education. He was
fined, to boot -- $3,500.00 -- for disobedience! Parents and others who supported
him offered him a check for $3,500.00 to pay the fine, but he refused. Dr. Hurwitz
turned down their offer because it seemed to him that the Board of Education is
more concerned about the political atmosphere than the classroom atmosphere and
he intends to fight his battle with the Board in court.

In case you're wondering if Dr. Hurwitz had a controversial record or a
reputation as a troublemaker, put your mind at ease. During his 11 years at
Long Island High, attendance has averaged better than 90 percent. Suspensions
have averaged three a year. (In many New York city schools, they run to more than
100.) The school has a wide racial mix, but no racial incidents. Most of the
students go on to college. And, there hasn't been a single assault on a teacher.

The reason for Long Island High's good record, Dr. Burwitz believes, is
that his policy of discipline in the school has the overwhelming support of the
parents. One parent with three youngsters in the school said , -- QUOTE --
"This school is the best. We consider ourselves lucky that our children when there
when Dr. Hurwitz was principal." -- UNQUOTE.

In a letter to the community on his leaving the school, Dr. Hurwitz said,
-- QUOTE -- "I can no longer remain with employers who are remorseless in their
determination to interfere with the effective administration of this school."
With that, he retired nine years ahead of schedule.

Now, he is preparing to challenge, in the courts, the school board's timidity
toward discipline and he is forming a consulting firm to help schools in other
areas face up to the problems of maintaining an atmosphere that makes learning
possible.

Hearing about Dr. Hurwitz's experience makes me wonder, if parents are
unwilling or unable to teach their kids standards of self-discipline and the school
board , worried about some sort of "backlash" at the polls, won't permit principals
and teachers to insist on discipline in the schools, is it any wonder a lot of
youngsters are "turned off" by our present day society? 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>07/06/[[Radio1977|1977]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/public/2024-07/40-656-7386263-014-005-2024.pdf#PAGE=43 Online PDF]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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