Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-07
THE HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

DS~ANf SSAitNAA'NN
distinct charges against the recent examination of
candidates for the High School.
LIST, That it was more severe than the spirit of
the statute requires.r
I'd That implied discourtesy to the teachers and
committees of Grammar Schools.
3D. That it was continued so long as TO peril the
health of the candidates.
First. Chapter VII. and VIII of the Regula-
mons OF the Public Schools contain complete an
sWer to the first objection. 1t is there dstintly
stated that Examinations shall be conducted by
the Teachers of the High School, under the direction
OF the Committee = that candidates shall pass
thorough examination in all the studios Of the Gram
mar Seaoot; that these studies Reading, nit
ing, Spelling, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography and
History of the United States As if TO impress upon
the teachers the absolute necessity of making these
examinations very stringent it is added that Gram
mar shat not be taught The High School, except rs
it relates to the Analysis and Construction of SEN
tences and Composition, and arithmetic only as re-
cieio study, during one term, not in the hrst year OF
the course" we are required, then, by the spirit
OF this statute never to admit scholar to the High
School, until conscentiousy say that
believe he has SO thorough knowledge of Arith-
metlc and Grammar, that he will never need to be
drilled again on them Could any teacher in justice
pronounce such an opinion, until he has given the
scholar time TO answer questions on all the elemen
tary principles Will few questions, selected at
random, decide 1t is an axiom which eminent
scholar as Dr. Sargent will not dispute, that no
person can ever be respectable scholar, without
being thoroughly guarded on these studies.
TEACHER that would take the responsibility of placing
chlld where he can never again study Arithmetic,
examination to determine whether he is master of
these would deserve the eXecration of intelligent
parents.
Besides the paramount value of these studies in
themselves, they absolutely essential to the high
er studies laid down for the High School. Glasses
in History constantly using their knowledge of
Geography i'll Latin and English Analysis, their
knowledge of Grammar and already since this
class have been admitted, they have had appica-
ton of nearly every principle of Arithmetic on
which they were examined, in their problems in AL
zebra. Now if scholar is deficient in these Gram
mar school studies, the law very properly forbids
us TO leave our own work to mend the matter. He
must stumble upon an obstacle every day which
scholar well fitted would notice. Every step
involves him in a deeper labyrinth, and eventually
he leaves school, with confiI ed notion of dozen
studies and a thorough knowledge of none This is
no fancy sketch There have been scholars in High
Schools, studying advanced Algebra and Geometry
who could not correctly divide decimal by
another, or explain single operation in Common
fractions If this is not true Of our school at
present, 1t Is owing mainly to system of thorough
written examinations, both upon entering tine
school, and frequently afterwards. They are an es-
sential part of the present organization and
De surrendered without dlsorgRniZing the school.
Second. The best reply to the question of profess
sonal courtesy is the testimony of the teachers of
the Grammar Schools themselves. A year ago the
present Principal of one of our Grammar Schools
expressed to us in the strongest terms the opinion
that the facility with which scholars poorly prepar
ed were formerly admitted to the High School, was
one of the greatest difficulties he had to contend
with. 1t was impossible to arouse his diatory pu-
pills, when they could point to others, VIGOROUSLY
dition into the High School. The Principal of the
other Grammar School present at the recent ex-
animation, assisted in reading the answers, express
ed ms unqualified approval of all its details and has
since introduced the system substantially into
his own school. He assures that it is working ad
mirably 1t is singular that the Doctor should be
sensluveto an insult where the objects of that Insult
recognize only personal tavors.
=, Third. But the Doctors great objection is that
the examination long and SO severe as to per-
il the health of the candidates.
1t might be replied, that the examination did not
require ste days but only four. Two days were add
ed because some of the candidates violated the con-
ditions; these, and these only were examined over
again on such questions as, their own confessions
they had not fairly answered. Again, the uninten-
honal injustice of the comparison of this with col
lege examinations might be alluded to. There are
tico days examination at Commencement and tago
more at the beginning of the following term True,
no one scholar is examined more than two DAYS but
there ten fifteen instructors constantly exam
lnng. If we had teachers enough, so that one can
dldate could be assigned to each teacher few
hours, instead of days would suffice to satisfy of
his atainments. But at this rate while each scholar
would be detained but half day, it would take the
present teachers two weeks to complete annual
examinations; ana our own classes, and the candi-
oates themselves, except while they being ques-
toned would the streets. But all this is waiy-
ed, and we meet the Doctors objections souareIv
with two replies
First. In the recent examination, no scholar was
keptln suspense moment longer than absolutely
necessary to satisfy us of the qualifications the law
requires ana the examination was more consistent
with health than in previous years Generally, the
papers have all been written in day. The labor
Is prodglous, and eXhausting in the extreme. Some
scholars have begged to be allowed to remain at
noon, without dinner and to work until pitch dark
They have then left their papers, without reading
them to correct errors and have passed sleepless
night, with the consciousness that they may have
failed, simply for 1cdnt Of tiDee to complete their
lcorE In one examination not less than tioeat-egh
SCHOLARS. who nad been rejected tout niqhfy-ffve
applIcants made such strong representations of the
injustice of these hurried examinations that the COM
mttee very properly admitted them to exam
inatioH, and many of them are now among our best
scholars Indeed, as was stated at the opening of
the examination, the time had been extended
this year, as a favor to the scholar 1t was not
conscientiously believed by the teachers, that four
days of easy labor would be far more favorable
to health than day Of SupertunaH erertioh. And
the result has proved that this Not one
new principle introduced this year The cues
lions were for the most part, certainly in arithmetic
on the easiest and yet he most essential principles
Many of the scholars were able to complete their
work and go home, in an hour and hall. The re-
suits were made known to the scholars fast as
they were read and we were thus enabled to assure
many of them, Ji under the old SYSTEM that
they had done well they would undoubtedly sue
coed, and need have no more anxiety about it. All
those who did poorly that subsequent attempts
would be "Ony aggravated modification and fail
ure were informed of this at once, and withdrew.
None kept in suspense except few whose first
attempts were low enough to reject them, but who
might afterwards do well enough to succeed. Sure
ly this was the suspense of hope, and not alone of
dread and the only Gtterndtire rejection.
Secondly: But our most decisive reply to DIR. Sar-
gent is, that this examination instituted to guard
against the rey danger he justly deprecates The
present teachers have the honor to be personal friends
of DIR. Sergeant, aad under great obligations to
him for kind suggestions in regard to the health of
our pupils, which have leen offered in the most gem
erous spirit, and SO far possible, adopted. n ow,
after the most careful study, convinced that
the great cause of ill-health among our pupils is
that parents will push them forward before they are
well prepared, and before they strong in body,
to graphic with our severe studies. And, even,
ter they once in parents anxious to have them
take many studies that the health must sink under
the eNertlOn Sometimes have tO add n on ad-
vice against such course our positive prohibition.
AT present, we believe that this danger docs ex-
list, and should be glad to have committee of ply
sicans investigate, to decide this We sure that
it must be evident to any one that if young and
sensitive scholar is poorly prepared in the elements
ry studies, and placed in classes of good scholars
nothing can prevent the most terrible nervous eX-
element. Notifications for failure that cannot be
helped; low place i'll the class, after struggling
twice long the best scholars; restless DAYS and
feverish nights; these are the results, for four
days, but for years. of admitting to the High School
on brief and superficial examinations This is so ev-
ident and so inevitable that we supposed, in erecting
an efectual bar against the evil, by a fair and
thorough examination, which should exclude all
whose health wonld be endangered if admitted we
should receive the unbounded appreciation of at
least the physicians. Judge of astonishment to
find ourselves characterized by of the most emf
nent of Them heartless Neros sitting in grim salts
faction mere gladatoral excitement and dis
play with young and sensitive minds i'll the Arena.
we beg leave to suggest, in conclusion that the
present law could be modified SO that much of the
anxiety could be prevented, and the thoroughness of
the examination Increased rather than diminished.
This may be accomplished by having the December
examinations of the public schools begin with the
High School, instead of the primary; the High
School teachers could then be at liberty to go to the
grammar schools and assist the teachers and com
mittees of those schools in their examination; all
other candidates could attend this examination at
the grammar schools; and those who passed sue
cesstully could be then admitted to the High School
We believe the committee have some such plan un-
der consideration. Z. w. CALKINs.
SPENcER.-Messrs. Belcher and Mccain
LII q A. Z II @