The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-25
60u1ationaI,
For the Spirit of Democracy.
School Examinations.

Mr.. EDITOR: 1t is customary in mos
schools of any note, to have public ex
animation of the pupils at the end of eacl
term, for the purpose of showing to tn
parents and public generally what progress
the students have made, and thus stimu
late them to further exertions. And it i
the experience of all who have paid an,
attention to this matter, that these exam
nations are very beneficial. For when i
is known by the pupils that there is going tt
be public examination, and that their pa
ents and friends will be present and know
|just what advancement each one has made
they will all endeavor to prepare them
selves for the occasion. But on the othel
hand where there is to be no examination
the school becomes irksome and there i.
no stimulant to induce the children te
study; and generally the last two or three
weeks of the school is of no account
But do not intend dwelling upon this
part of the subject. For l suppose al
are aware of the advantages arising from
well conducted examination; therefore
it is useless to endeavor to prove thai
which is conceded by all. But what sur.
prises me most is that all should agree
that examinations are very useful, and yet
so few pay any attention to them.
1t is difficult matter to induce hall
dozen persons to attend an examination
in most of the districts through the Coun-
ty, and then in nine cases of every ten
they think it "does not pay" They have
no delight in such things and attend mere
ly for curiosity. They are generally those
who have no children in the school, and
therefore no interest. But I suppose it
is not so in your town. I should suppose
that all would attend there; so my remarks
will not apply to them. But it is so in
most of our country districts. The peo-
pie seem to have but one source Of in
terest in the schools, and that is, "put
down the school tax" They scarcely
ever visit the schools or attend the exam
nations; and the teachers and pupils very
naturally conclude that they do not care
whether any progress is made or not, and
are very apt to follow the example; and
the "last day and the dollars" generally
becomes the only incentive the teacher has
to induce him to perform his task.
But approach q person upon this sub
ject and his answer invariab,yis is "I hayn't
time to attend to such things.n He never
considers that he could save ten, yea
hundred fold, the time lost in this manner
by the additional impulse given to the
progress of his child in school. If he
cannot find time to attend to his own
business who will Will the teacher feel
that interest in the success of his pupils
that he would if the parent felt more in
terest? Certainly not. And if, under such
circumstances, children do not learn, who
cares? Certainly not the parent: If he did
he would show it in some other way than
slandering the teacher when too late But
to better illustrate my meaning, suffer me
to give q few brief facts which have come
under my notice within the last month.
While "loa6ng" through our County,
q believe that's what they call il, when q
fellows doing nothing,) chanced to meet
an old friend of mine, who was then.
engaged in teaching school, in the, town
Of but hold I mustn't get personal.
So no matter where it was-and he in
formed me that he was going to have an
examination and requested me to attend
He said that his pupils had been studying
very hard, preparing themselves to pass
q respectable examination, and that he had
been laboring for the same purpose. So
having nothing else to. do, and feeling a
little anxious to see how things of that
kind are conducted inthis County, and
always being willing tostry to learn any
thing in the line Of teaching, I walked
with him down to the school house. The
house was nicely swept and green bushes
and. sweet flowers were plentifnlly strewn
around the room, and pretty girls and
smiling boys, to the. number of fifty or
sixty, were either seated in the room or
and skipping upon the play
ground. Taken all together, rooms, flow
ers, bushes, girls and boys, they presented
an appearance of beauty, neatness, COM
fort and sweetness, seldom seen out side
Of the school room. l1.ss
All seemed interested and each felt de-
termined to acquit himself with honor.
One little boy remarked to me- that peo-
pie had been saying "they were not learn
ing anything, but he intended to show
'hem better" He was not afraid Of fail
ng, but was only afraid that the house
would not hold all the people, He SEEM
ID anxious for the examination and so did
III the students. But alas! they were
doomed to disappointment. Their hopes
If showing their parents that they had
earned well, were to be crushed. Useless
ears, those entertained by that little boy;
or when the school bell rang not spec
ator appeared except myself. AS Hook
d over that congregation of young folks
could notice that the wonted smile had
eft their faces and in its stead shade of
disappointment was visible on every brow.
No wonder that they felt disappointed,
they had expected to have shown their
PARENTS and friends. that their time had
ot been mis-spent Their -yonthfal am
- - Et- Il