Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-04-13
For the Eastern Times.
tut tst 1stRSttTW tHItSs
experimenting School Committee.

experimenting School Committee.
Mr.. EDITOR Prior to the appearance of
an article in the Mirror Of the 5th inst, in
which the action Of the above-named Board
was freely criticized. and in some particulars,
pointedly condemned, ! had prepared for your
columns a brief. communication, advocating
substantially the same views.
The course pursued by public agents, and
the policy by which they are governed, are
universally recognized as matters open to ex-
animation, and subject to approval, or censure,
as, in the judgment of constituents, their mer-
its may demand. From this liability to ex-
animation and judgment, those who have the
supervision of an interest SO important, as is
that of our public schools, ought not to, and
suppose do not, claim exemption.
/ assume that our public schools, maintained
by the public funds, should be so graded, and
governed by such rules, as that their advanta-
ges shall be brought within the reach of all
In order to this, two things are necessary
First, To admit to the High School, upon
different, and in some respects, lower quail
fication than is now insisted on There are
scholars at present in the Grammar Schools,
who are learning literally nothing, good, be-
cause already in advance of any class in school.
There are others whose condition in life IS
such as precludes the possibility of their re-
naming in school after arriving at the age of
4 L
les not taught in the Grammar school, but not
being sufficiently elastic, to stretch to the
Procrustean Dimensions deemed requisite by
the Committee, are shut out from the High
School, until admission, is, to them, no longer
an advantage.
The second thing necessary, is the adoption
of such classification and regulation in the
High School, as that the whole course, or Sc
lect studies may be pursued by the pupil, as
his circumstances, or the wishes Of his parent
or guardian may dictate. If the scholar is
expecting to spend one or two years only, in
the school, and is then to enter upon practical
life in some department, in which mere
smattering in the classics will be Of no con-
ceivable use to him, why compel him against
his wishes, and his interests, to devote his time
to the elementary works of McClintock and
Kuhner, Anthorn, Orlendorff and DeFivas, or
somebody else, in Latin, Greek, and French,
when, for want of time, he cannot advance be-
yond the rudiments; whilst the little time he has
at command, is all, and more than all needed, for
the mastering of some branches in Natural
Science, or the higher mathematics.
There are two methods, beside that pro-
posed, for accomplishing the same object
these are, first, to form in the Grammar
schools, classes for the Study of the higher
English branches and, secondly, to establish
an English High School. The first cannot be
entertained for moment, owing to the num-
Der of pupils attending the Grammar Schools,
and the amount of care and labor already borne
by the teachers and the second, would in
vOlve needless expense. The plan herein pro-
posed for graduating and classifying, is not
only less complicated and less expensive than
any other, but accords think with the con-
victions and wishes of a majority of those who
interest themselves at all in the premises
Certain am, that the opinion extensively
prevails, that the course at present pursued,
is virtual exclusion of many from the High
school and all its advantages; and that the
interests of the public demand the adoption Of
a more liberal policy.
| The above has not originated in any disre-
spect to the Committee, but solely in desire
to call attention to what believe to be a rad
ical defect in the management Of our schools
in order that an appropriate remedy may be
applied.
Bath, April II, 1854.