Word: bestor
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Today's high-school graduates are often poorly trained in the three Rs, and many are woefully ignorant of history, geography and science. Is inefficient teaching to blame? Probably not, University of Illinois History Professor Arthur E. Bestor Jr. told the American Historical Association in Washington this week. If educators have missed the target, it is because they have set their sights so low that no possible increase of efficiency can enable them to hit it. They are teaching the wrong courses; they are firing wild...
...family, the church, the medical profession, the government, private business-each has something to do with meeting the needs of citizens, young and old," said Bestor. "The idea that the school must undertake to meet every need that some other agency is failing to meet is a preposterous delusion that can wreck the educational system without contributing anything to the salvation of society . . . The responsibility which the school may not sacrifice to any other aim, however worthy, is its responsibility for providing intellectual training-in every field of activity where systematic thinking is an important component of success...
Laid in the friendly hands of receivers last year (TIME, Jan. 1, 1934), famed old Chautauqua Institution was far from dead. Arthur Eugene Bestor, its president, made plans for the 1934 season, mapped out a money-raising campaign. This summer Chautauquans returned to their cottages, clubs and classes, their genteel recreations on the shores of Lake Chautauqua. But until last week they were not sure how long the Institution could carry on. Then, at the close of exercises celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding, President Bestor announced: "This evening Chautauqua has received the largest aggregate gift in its history...
Incidentally, I believe that Mr. Bestor is right in his stand that depression is responsible for Chautauqua's 40% decline in receipts and at tendance. One need only compare this with the declines at other summer resorts which do not offer the educational and cultural advantages which Chautauqua offers...
...years 1920 to 1929 set new highs for Chautauqua prosperity. Receipts never fell below $100,000, attendance averaged 50.000. By 1932 receipts and attendance had fallen off 40%. Brisk, earnest Dr. Bestor, who has been with Chautauqua since 1905, calls receivership a "breathing spell," has lost none of his faith in the gospel of adult education. Last week he was going ahead with plans for Chautauqua's 1934 season, hoping to finance it with contributions and the sale of $100,000 worth of receivership bonds...