Education, Politics, and Race in Chicago, 1926–67

• Published in: Chicago history Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 16 - 33
• Main Author: Hoisington, William A
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago Chicago History Museum 01.04.2020
• Subjects: Achievement tests; Architects; Classrooms; Curricula; Education; Elections; Elementary schools; Intelligence tests; Middle schools; Patronage; Politics; Public schools; Reforms; School boards; School systems; Secondary schools; Students; Teaching; United States > US; Chicago Illinois
• ISSN: 0272-8540

Chicago public schools have weathered changes from the strategies of school superintendents to cronyism in city politics, from the economic effects of world wars and the Great Depression to US Supreme Court decisions. The design apparently pleased its architect as it was used for other schools in the city, including the North Side's Roger C. Sullivan Junior High, constructed at the same time as Hirsch.3 Touted as the "prize schools of the city," Hirsch and Sullivan had several special features, including separate gymnasiums for boys and girls, an indoor swimming pool, a kitchen and cafeteria, a large library, and music and art studios.4 Hirsch and Sullivan were part of the junior high "system change" implemented during the four-year tenure of reform-minded Superintendent of Schools William A. McAndrew (1924-28).5 The junior highs were the key element of a "6-3-3" plan (as opposed to the existing "8-4" plan) intended to reduce overcrowding in elementary schools, "to group the adolescent grades together," and to act as a transitional educational institution, preparing students of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and interests for "senior" highs or, as the case may be, for specialized vocational schools or entry into the job market.6 At Hirsch, students chose courses from among five curricula: general academic, technical, commercial, practical arts, and household arts, all supplemented by homeroom activities, all-school assemblies, music and art classes, student clubs (dramatics, debating, radio, first-aid, dancing, harmonica), and physical education and sports programs. [...]even with a reformminded mayor in charge of the city-Democrat William E. Dever (1923-27)-McAndrew's days as superintendent were numbered.14 Not surprisingly, the Republican candidate for mayor in spring 1927, William Hale Thompson, already wellknown for his politics of patronage during two earlier mayoral terms, made McAndrew's removal a top priority. After Thompson's stunning election day victory over Dever, the Thompson-appointed Board of Education suspended McAndrew for "insubordination," then removed him from office after a sham trial that lasted six months.16 After McAndrew's departure, the school board quickly modified or eliminated some of his reforms, but the controversy over the junior highs had subsided.