Worcester daily spy., 1859-01-10
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This is the regular day on which, for many
years, promotions have been made in the diff
ferent grades of our schools, 1t is, therefore,
quite necessary to the efficiency of the system,
that scholars should be prompt in joining their
new classes, 1t is believed, that, in our large
cities, one of the chief evils the system of
graded schools has to encounter, is this trans
fer from teacher to teacher-from school to
school. Yet, if the teachers perfectly under
stand one another's work, the change ought to
seem natural to the scholar, and no Interrupt
ton of his ordinary habits of study should oc-
cur.
Nothing tends so much to defeat this obvious
purpose Of the system, as irregular attendance.
We do not here allude to the common bane of
all schools-tardiness and occasional absence
but to the habit of attending one term, and re-
manning at home the next. From some obser-
vation and extensive inquiries among teachers,
we are inclined to place this first among the
evils to which our schools are subjected, by
the whims of scholars and the carelessness of
parents. Statistics would show, that in almost
every instance, absence for term is fully
equivalent to absence for year, while the con-
fusion of the pupil in finding himself behind
his own class, and in advance of the next low
er, is sometimes more disheartening than the
would agree, that, except in few cases of ad-
vanced pupils, years absence would be pre-
ferable to terms, if the parent feels that
health demands rest.
This subject of health, which has so excited
our own community, and still more, Boston,
is important enough to be discussed by ITSELF
We are glad to observe, however, that even
the most extravagant advocates of physical
training, in their loudest TRADES against exces-
sive study, do not propose to degrade our pub
lie schools into playthings, where abundant
helping, and pretty vanishing, by the teacher,
shall take the place of the scholars own sturdy
toll. Doubtless, much improvement is de-
manded, in mingling hearty relaxation with
severe study, and, in limiting the number of
branches, pursued at the same time, in our
highest grades of schools But, the old-fash-
ioned hard work, at the right time, and in the
right way, is just as consistent with health as
it is with common sense.
The remarks upon regular promotions, and
steady attendance, apply with greatest force to
the High School. Indeed, so important did
this subject appear to the founders of the
school, that it was made special law, that no
scholar, residing in the city on the second
Monday in January, should be examined as a
candidate, after that day, during the same
year, unless such scholar was detained from
the regular examination, by sickness, or some
cause equally imperative. And, even if ad-
mitted to a subsequent examination, the can
didate is to be examined in the studies already
pursued by the classes formed at the beginning
of the year, and to be rejected, if incompetent
to enter such classes. This rule has been
strictly adhered to, during the past year, and
will be, in future. Economy and efficiency
both demand that the school be classified on
this principle.
Examinations commence this morning. 1t
is hoped that all who design connecting them
selves with the school, during the current year,
will be present.