The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-01-03
ORR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

orr public schools submit the following re.
nor, upon the work Of the term enolug Dec.
s, 1861,
Upon entering on the discharge Of the du-
ties Of Superintendent Of public instruction
nv attention was specially directed,
u To the Course Of Study.
In prescribing and adopting one, two con
siderations governed,
Firstly, to Gdaptit to the educational wants
Of the city,
Secondly, to limit it by the pecuniary re
sources Of the community
The course OF STUDY opens with the a, b,
cs and closes with the philosophy OF history.
1t extends through period OF thirty'eight
terms of twelve weeks each. To complete 1t,
upon the basis Of nine months to the scho'
lastic year, requires an attendance OF twelve
and a half wears II a child, therefore, en-.
ters at six, and continues his connection
without serious interruption he will gradn
ate from the High School in his nineteenth
year.
(2) To the Classification Of the Ptpas
The course Of study is divided into periodS
of two terms Of twelve weeks each, making
total of nineteen. Upon each period one
class is to be organized, whose members pur-
sue the same studies at the same time. The
LIST. 2nd, Bird, 4th, 9TH, 9th, 7th, 9th, and
llth classes have already been formed. The
9Th and 10Th will probably be introduced
the coming term. Each class advg noes to a
higher grade at the end Of q pei ID or six
school months Thus the lst will become
the 2nd the 2nd the Bird, &c, at the close Of
the next term Of twelve weeks, and thus pro
gress in the ascending scale at the expiration
Of each succeeding cycle Of the course.
The classes for the PURPOSES Of recitation,
are respectively divided into two or more
sections, winch are denomlnatel DIVISIONS
and are designated by the letters A., b., c.,
&c. The number of divisions into which
niue classes are at present divided is forty
one and the average size OF each Is twenty
three pupils.
(3) 70 the 1srts and apparatus demanded
w the course Of study. The books wer
fo,nd not unfrequentIy deficient in adapia
tioL and extension, IN many instances lackn
both the matter ana the method required t
meet the necessities OF a right system OF GU
ture. Besides several branches indispensable
TO the nroper education Of the child, had no
Representative text in the schools.
The apparatus upon examination was dis
covered . be equally deficient IN kind anc
quantity.
10 tue lash III REVISING anu tAltHuiilb
list of text, and IF apparatus, at once ad
dressed myself well digested and com
plete series Of both was prepared and so muct
Of each introduced into the schools as thu
times" would warrant. Much of these Sc
ries remain however to be introduced. They
will nevertheless be incorporated with oui
system of instruction rs fast as II careful re
gard to circumstances and the public interests
may Justify
IA TO the Qualifications Of Teachers.
The determinatian Of the Board Of Educa
ton to reduce the expenses Of our schools fo
the ensuing year, aud accordingly, to increas
the corps of female teachers, without lessen
ing the number Of instructors, rendered
necessary, in order to preserve the standn
Of the schools, to supply the places yacate
bv male teachers with first class educators
Serious appreheuslOns were entertained, thai
in diminishing the masculine force hithert
engaged, the obedience and respect Of til
pupils might suffer an untownrd change an
the schools relax in discipline. But at
happy to state, that the ladies secured 70
the posts have SO flied them, as not only t
relieve the public of these apprehensious. Blu
to induce the belief that the pupils .have los
nothing by the supercesson.
l5) To the Chect Roils
The system Of registration, if the meagr
and irresponsible records kept in part on
" of the schools deserve that designation
which prevailed lacked nearly every essentia
of value to the Superintendent, the Board q
the Public No time was, therefore, lost il
preparing and introducing proper and ade
quate forms of registration By them. il
addition to the usua! entries upon the chez
roll. provision was made for the following:
The names Of parents or guardians.
The residence, city or country, Of the same
The studies pursued by hepupils.
The school district from which they entered
The class from which they came.
They division from which they reported
Visits Of parents or guardians at the school
Visits Of other persons at the same.
Visits Of the Superintendent likewise.
Hardness OF Teacher in reaching his post
Absence Of Teacher from same.
The Importance Of the first six items to tn,
instructor, of the last three to the community
and of all to the Board of Education. need,
no comment. The Eth, Sth, and 9th evidence
the interest taken by parents, by the friend.
Of education and by the official head Of the
schools, in the physical, intellectual and
moral growth of our youth,
Thus an examination Of the check rolls dis
closes amongst others, the following facts:
That the number Of parents or guardian
who have visited one or more schools is on
80, OF whom . were fathers and ii mothers
Total number Of visits from them 81.
That the number Of other persons III {
our own teachers included) who have pai
like respect, Is, 81, Of whom IS were gentl,
men and 46 ladies', Total number of visit
made by them l43.
That the members Of the Board Of Educ,
ton have made 90 visits.
That the Superintendent has made 222 vi
its, number somewhat greater than the al
gregate of all other parties combined.
From this exhibit of visitatiops we obtai
testimony upon the interest telt by the pal
rons and the public in the welfare Of gu
favorite institution
OF the 49S families that have comr;tte
children 10 our educational care. s father
and 81 mothers have visited the schools tha
10, one father in 60 aud one mother in l6iA
o. the still larger number Of families outsid,
and strangers, 81 representatives only hoy
called, IS boys and men, and 4G girls an
women
These facts have an import not friendly
our public spirit and pregnant with admon
tons. | trust the coming term will render
better account.
That teachers have been tardy during Ii
term,-that the number Of times they hay
been tardy, is 81 that eight hours and fftee
minutes only have thus been lost