EWP EWP 2018 Conklin Stat Study

Item

Title
EWP EWP 2018 Conklin Stat Study
Tag
Conklin School, 1921-1938, frame structure, challenges, educators, community involvement, turnover rate, teachers, diverse student body, early 20th century.
Place
Virginia
Identifier
1006248
Is Version Of
1006248_EWP_EWP_2018_Conklin_Stat_Study.pdf
Is Part Of
Uncategorized
Date Created
2024-01-07
Format
.pdf
Number
a51281a614e958c375df5e47a372052eed7975ff508508c2c8a884659c70152b
Source
/Volumes/T7 Shield/EWP/Elements/EWP_Files/Access Files/Upload temp/1006248_EWP_EWP_2018_Conklin_Stat_Study.pdf
Publisher
Digitized by Edwin Washington Project
Rights
Loudoun County Public Schools
Language
English
Replaces
/Volumes/T7 Shield/EWP/Elements/EWP_Files/source/Ingest One/13 Statistical Studies/Statistical Study/EWP_EWP_2018_Conklin_Stat_Study.pdf
extracted text
Conklin School, 1921-1938
Data in this report was collected from end of year reports filled out by teachers of the
Conklin Colored School. Due to the nature of these reports, in which questions varied over the
Page | 1

years and some entries were left blank or may have been estimated, the values in the report may
not be consistent or exact. Nevertheless, they give a good indication of the history of the
schoolhouse. Data was not available for the 1924-25 and 1925-26 school years.
The Building
The building itself was a detached frame structure with a metal roof and stone foundation
and one 18’x28’ room. It was heated by a stove and ventilated by windows. In a teacher’s report
from 1921, the condition of the building was listed as “very poor.” Likewise, the 60 square feet
of blackboards were uneven and in poor condition. The building was situated on a quarter-acre
lot that was not enclosed. It was insured for $500 in 1940.
Number of Days Taught
The number of days taught ranged from 120 days to 160 days.
Class Size and Attendance
The class size ranged from 16 to 24 students, with a mean of 19.2 students. The average
daily attendance ranged from 8 to 19.4 students, with a mean of 13.11 students, or 68.28% of the
mean total students. A graph is included below.

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

Page | 2

PTA
The school had a PTA or community league for many of the years researched. This
organization contained between 9 and 25 members.
Age/Grade Distributions
First grade students ranged from age 6 to 18 with a mode of 7. Second grade students
ranged from age 7 to 15 with a mode of 10. Third grade students ranged from age 8 to 19 with a
mode of 11. Fourth grade students ranged from age 9 to 18 with mode 12. Fifth grade students
ranged from age 11 to 18 with mode 13. Sixth grade students ranged from age 11 to 18 with

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

mode 14. Seventh grade students ranged from age 12 to 17 with mode 15.

Page | 3

Teachers
Conklin offers a unique view of the variety of teachers, as it had at least 15 different
teachers in a 32-year period. The first teacher documented was Mrs. A.V. Ratcliffe. She was 48
years old and had 9 years of teaching experience. She was a graduate of neither high school nor
college, though she attended school at Petersburg and had a 3rd grade certificate issued in 1906.
She was not a member of the State Teachers’ Association. In her one year of teaching at Conklin,
she visited 6 homes and attended 2 meetings. Her monthly salary was $50 and her yearly salary
was $280. The promotion rate of her students was 54.5%.
In 1922, Mrs. Ratcliffe was replaced by Mrs. Sylvia Wright. She was 32 years old and
had taught for 6 years. She had graduated from Manassas Industrial and had a 2nd grade permit
issued in 1922. She was a member of the STA and visited 6 homes with one meeting. She earned

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

$45 per month and $283.50 per year, spending $10 on room and board per month. Her promotion
rate was 29.2%.
The next year, class was taught by Mr. Curtis Ewing. He was 23 with only 1 year of
Page | 4

experience. He did not specify whether he had graduated from high school or college, though he
listed that he attended Leesburg Graded School. He had a local permit from 1923 and was not a
member of the STA. He visited seven homes and zero meetings. His salary was $40/month
($240/term) and he paid $12 for room and board. His promotion rate was only 12.5%.
No data was found for the teachers between the fall of 1924 and spring of 1926, but in the
fall of 1926, class was taught by Miss Edna Virginia Russ, who was only 19 with 2 years of
experience. She did not specify whether she graduated high school or college, but she did attend
“V.N. and I.I.” at Petersburg and Manassas. She was not a member of the STA. Her salary was
$45 per month and $315 per term, paying $10 per month for room and board. Her promotion rate
was 55.6%.
Miss Clara V. Robinson arrived the next year. She was 24 with only one year of teaching
experience. She graduated from high school but not from college or normal, though she attended
Summer Normal at Storer College, Harper’s Ferry. She was not a member of the STA and earned
$45 per month, $12 of which went to room and board. Her promotion rate was 31.6%.
The next two years were taught by Miss Christine Allen. She was 20 with 2 years of
experience. She was a graduate of junior high and had attended Summer Normal at Manassas
Industrial. She had a local permit issued in 1928. She was not a member of the STA and earned
$50 per month and $388.50 per year her first year, and $55/month and $398/term her second year
with $20 room and board. Her average promotion rate was much higher than that of her
predecessors, at 72.5%.

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

In 1930, she was replaced by Mrs. Carrie L. Spriggs, whose age was listed as simply
“adult,” with 15 years of experience. She was a graduate of high school but not college, though
she studied at Howard, Harper’s Ferry, and a summer course, the name of which is illegible. She
Page | 5

had an elementary certificate issued in 1926. She was a member of the STA and earned
$65/month ($500/term), paying $18 for room and board. Her promotion rate continued the
upward trend at 90%.
The next year was taught by Mr. William H. Cole, Jr., who was 22 years old with 1 year
of experience. He was a graduate of both high school and college and had a collegiate degree
issued 1931. He was not a member of the STA. He earned $57 per month and $313.50 per year,
with $20 paid monthly for room and board. He had the highest recorded promotion rate of all the
teachers, at 90.5%.
The next two years were taught by Miss Flossie L. Sinclair (later Mrs. Flossie S. Furr).
When she started, she was 25 years old with only half a year of experience. She was a graduate
of high school and Normal with a Normal Professional degree issued 1932. She became a
member of the STA her second year of teaching. She earned $54/month her first year and
$50/month her second year, paying $18 and then $12 for room and board. Under her teaching,
promotion rates plummeted back down to an average of 31.7%.
In 1934, she was replaced by Mr. Charles H. Willis, who was 48 years old with 15 years
of experience. He was a graduate of high school, though not of college, and had an elementary
certificate issued 1931. He was a member of the STA and earned $50/month and $400/term. He
boarded at home. His average promotion rate was 37.1%.
He taught for two years and then was followed by Miss Mary Deane Johnson, who was
25 years old with 2 years of teaching her first year at Conklin. She was a graduate of a 4-year

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

college and had a Normal Professional degree issued 1935. Her salary was not listed, though she
payed $20 a month for room and board. Her average promotion rate was 39.3%.
Miss Johnson was the last teacher for whom detailed information was given, but records
Page | 6

give the names of teachers until 1953. Miss Johnson taught for four years at Conklin, then was
replaced by Miss Christine L. Scott, who was followed by Miss Mildred Peters. Mrs. Mabel
Beale taught from 1949-1952 and was followed by Mrs. Ernestine F. Stewart.
A graph of promotion rates is included below.

Hours Taught Per Day
An average of 5.79 hours per day were devoted to elementary school teaching. No hours
were devoted to high school courses. Pupils were able to secure textbooks at contract prices and
in some years were supplied textbooks by the school board. A state course of study was used by
every teacher except Mrs. Flossie S. Furr and Mr. Charles H. Willis.
June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

Page | 7

June, 2018. Statistical Study of Conklin Colored School for 1921-1938 by Katie Bushman

Teacher
Days Taught
Total Students
Boys
Girls
Avg. Attendance
Boys
Girls
Daily hours taught
State course of study
American flag
Teacher age
Experience
HS grad
College/normal grad
Education
Certificate
Certificate issue date
State Teachers' Association
Community league/patron organization
Members
Volumes in library
Homes visited
Meetings
Monthly salary
Yearly salary
Room and Board
1st grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
2nd grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
3rd grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
4th grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
5th grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
6th grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
7th grade dist
Mode
Promotion rate
Total Promoted
Total Failed
Total Dropped

1921-22
Mrs. A. V. Ratcliffe
126
22
13
9
14.1
7.73
6.37
756
yes
no
48
9
no
no

1922-23
Mrs. Sylvia Wright
126
24
15
9
8
5
3
756
yes
no
32
6
n/a
yes

1923-24
1924-25
Mr. Curtis Ewing
120
16
7
9
9.96
4.99
4.37
n/a
yes
no
23
1
n/a
n/a

Petersburg
3rd grade

Manassas
2nd grade

Leesburg Graded School
Local permit
1923
no
no
n/a
n/a
7
0
$40
$240
$12
6-10
7
0/4
7-14
n/a
0/4
10-11
n/a
0/4
9
9
0/1
11-18
n/a
0/2
13-15
n/a
2/2
n/a
n/a
n/a
2/16

1906
no
no
n/a
n/a

1922
yes
yes
12
100
6
1
$45
$283.50
$10
6-13

6
2
$50
$280
n/a
6-13
6,7,9

7, 8,
4-8
8-12

n/a

1/13
9-13

n/a
1-2
9-19
15
3/7 0/1

n/a
n/a
n/a

10-18
n/a
1/2
17
17
1/1
12-18

11-16
11, 12
4/5
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
2/3
n/a
n/a
n/a
12/22
10/22

0/22

2/4
16
16

7/24

1925-26 1926-27
Miss Edna Virginia Russ
140
18
11
7
16
10
6
840
yes
no
19
2
n/a
n/a
V.N and I.I. Petersburg and Manassas
n/a
n/a
no
yes
18
5
6
2
$45
$315
$10
6-13
6
5/12
10
10
1/1
11-14
14
2/3
11
11
1/1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
14
14
1/1
10/18
8/18

1927-28
Miss Clara V. Robinson

1928-29
Miss Christine Allen
140
19
7
12
12
8
4
770

yes
no

157
16
11
5
9
6
3
6
yes
no

24
1

20
2

1929-30
Miss Christine Allen
158
20
13
7
11
7
4
6
yes
no
21
3

1930-31
Mrs. Carrie L. Spriggs
153
20
15
5
15
11
4
953.3
yes
no
"adult"
15

yes
no

junior high
no

yes
no

Summer Normal at Starer College, Harper's Ferry
n/a
n/a
no
yes

Summer Normal at Manassas Industrial
Local permit
1928
no
no
yes
yes
10
0
16
2
$50
$388.50
n/a
6-16
n/a
4/8
7-10
10
4/4
12
12
1/1
12
12
2/2
14
14
1/1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
12/16 14/20
4/16
0/16
0/20

Howard, Harper's Ferry, [illegible] (summer)
Elementary
1926
yes
yes
25
80
9
3
$65
$500
$18
7-12
8
5/6
n/a
n/a
n/a
9 - 17
11-12
5/6
11 - 15
n/a
4/4
13
13
1/1
14
14
2/2
15
15
1/1
18/20
1/20
1/20

10
0
5
3
$45
n/a
$12
6-15
6, 9
2/13
10
10
1/1
11-15
11
2/4
12
12
1/1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
6/19
8/19

10
0
20
2
$55
$398
$20
7-14
7
3/7
8-15
11
5/5
8-11
11
2/4
12
12
1/1
13
13
2/2
14
14
1/1

6/20

1931-32
Mr. William H. Cole, Jr
145
21
14
7
16
10
5
6.5
yes
yes
22
1
yes
yes
n/a
Collegiate degree
1931
no
yes
9
80
9
0
$57
$313.50
$20
6-9
6
3/4
8-10
10
4/4
13
13
1/1
10-17
12
5/6
11-14
n/a
3/3
15
15
1/1
15
15
2/2
19/21
2/21
0/21

1932-33
Miss Flossie L. Sinclair
152
18
12
6
15
11
4
5.5
no
yes
25
0.5
yes
yes

1933-34
Mrs. Flossie S. Furr
153
20
10
10
13
7
6
5.5
no
yes
26
2

Normal
Normal Professional

1934-35
Mr. Charles H. Willis
154
17
9
8
12
7
5
842
no
no
48
15
yes
no
illegible
Elementary

1932
no
no
n/a
n/a

n/a

n/a
2/2
10
10
0/1
9-12
10
0/4
14
14
0/5
12-16 14-17
13 n/a
0/2
12-15

n/a
2/3 0/1
16-17
n/a

n/a
2/2 0/2
6/18
8/18
4/18

$12
6-8
6
1/4
7-11
8
3/5
11
11
1/1
9-15
11

1935
yes
no
n/a

25
3
3
$50
$400

n/a
board at home

yes
yes
26
2
4
$50 n/a
$400 n/a

board at home
6-9

6,7
0/6

7,8

n/a
2/7

8--12
n/a

11-15
n/a
1/2
9-13
12
2/6
13
13
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
6/17
8/17
3/17

n/a
1/2
9-14
13
1/4
10-14
10
3/5

yes
yes
20
4
21
1

18
0
21
0
n/a
n/a

$20
6-18

6-10

10 n/a
10 n/a
1/1 n/a

0/1
12 n/a
12 n/a
n/a
12-15 n/a
n
n
6/20
10/20
4/20

1937-38
Miss Mary D. Johnson
160
18
9
9
16.2
7.4
8.8
880
yes
part of time
26
3

4-year college
Normal Professional

yes
no
n/a
18
6
1
$50

$18
7-8

0/5

1936-37
Miss Mary Deane Johnson
159
21
9
12
19.46
8.7
10.23
874.25
yes
yes
25
2
yes
yes

1931
yes
no
n/a

6
0
$54

0/1

1935-36
Mr. Charles H. Willis
157
18
9
9
10
5
5
842
no
no
49
16

7,8
1/6 0/8
14
14 n/a
1/1
11-13
n/a
2/2

n/a
n/a
n/a
14-15
n/a
0/2
n/a

10-11
2/2
9-10
2/2
12-14

n/a
2/2
15-17
n/a
1/2
11-14 n/a
n/a
2/2 n/a

13-16
n/a
0/2
7/18
1/18 13/21
10/18

$20
7-9

12-15
n/a
6/21
2/21

2/2
9/18
7/18
2/18

Item sets
Conklin