Frank Washington Ballou (February 22, 1879-February 2, 1955) was

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public schools from 1920 to 1943. Frank W. Ballou High School is named in his honor. He was the first president of the National Association of Directors of Educational Research, the organization that would eventually become the modern

American Educational Research Association The American Educational Research Association (AERA, pronounced "A-E-R-A") is a professional organization representing education researchers in the United States and around the world. AERA's mission is to advance knowledge about education and p ...

Early life and education

Dr. Frank W. Ballou was born in Fort Jackson, St. Lawrence County,

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in 1879 to Hiram and Jennie Ballou. Ballou attended State Normal Training School in

Potsdam, New York Potsdam ( moh, Tsi tewate’nehtararénies) is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town population was 14,901 at the 2020 census. The ZIP Code is 13676. When SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University are in session, the popul ...

. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from

Teachers College, Columbia University Teachers College, Columbia University (TC), is the graduate school of education, health, and psychology of Columbia University, a private research university in New York City. Founded in 1887, it has served as one of the official faculties and ...

in 1904, a Master of Arts degree from the

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,00 ...

in 1908, and a Doctor of Philosophy from

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

in 1914.

Career

Ballou spent three years as an assistant professor of education and director of school affiliation at the

. He was a graduate student at student at

from 1910 to 1911 and lectured in school administration during Harvard's 1911 summer session. From 1911 to 1912 he assisted Professor Paul H. Hanus in his investigation of the

New York City Department of Education The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is the department of the government of New York City that manages the city's public school system. The City School District of the City of New York (or the New York City Public Schools) is t ...

. He also performed studies of

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, and

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high schools and

public schools. In 1912 he returned to Harvard as a

research fellow A research fellow is an academic research position at a university or a similar research institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a pr ...

. In 1914 he was named director of promotions and educational measurement for

Boston Public Schools Boston Public Schools (BPS) is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is the largest public school district in the state of Massachusetts. Leadership The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the ...

. In 1917 he and

Jeremiah E. Burke Jeremiah E. Burke (June 25, 1867 – October 29, 1931) was an American educator who served as superintendent of schools in Boston and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Early life Burke was born on June 25, 1867, in Frankfort, Maine, to Patrick and Mary (H ...

argued for the creation of junior high schools in Boston. Later that year he was promoted to assistant superintendent. Ballou became superintendent of Washington, D.C. public schools in 1920. During this time, he oversaw the building of sixty new schools and raised teachers salaries.

Death and legacy

Ballou died in 1955 in Washington, D.C. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in

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. Frank W. Ballou High School in Southeast, Washington, D.C. is named in his honor.

External links

''The Appointment of Teachers in Cities'' By Frank Washington Ballou

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballou, Frank 1879 births 1955 deaths Harvard University alumni People from St. Lawrence County, New York Superintendents of District of Columbia Public Schools Teachers College, Columbia University alumni