American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-04-13
Educational department.
The Proper School Age.

The reader will find two very interest
ing and suggestive communications in this
number, on the proper period for school
training,-that is, the time for admission
to and dismissal from the Common School.
We have little now to add to the re-
marks of our correspondents though
the question is very important one, and
should receive careful consideration.
While preparing. these communications
for the press, our thoughts were drawn
back, just twenty-eight years, to the time
when we were compelled by almost fortu-
itous circumstances, to discuss this very
question in the first deliberate and official
act we ever performed in reference to the
Common School System. In the report,
as Superintendent of Common Schools
read in the Legislature on the 30th of Feb
ruary, 1886, the following passages amongst
others on the point occur:
To meet this defect, it is suggested,
that the Legislature provide, that no child
shall be admissible into public school
until the age, say, of five years, nor shall
continue longer than the age, say of fif-
teen. Cases may arise in which the re-
striction might produce hardship to OBJ
yiatc this, power should be given to the
Directors to suspend the restriction when
they deem it necessary. In ordinary ca
ses, howcver,tho restriction could produce
no evil. There is sufficient time between
the ages Of five and fifteen, for the acqui-
sition Of the rudiments of common busi-
ness education. At the latter age young
persons intended for the pursuit of labori-
ous occupations, are generally taken from
school, while those destined for profess
sions or commerce, should then be trans
ferred to schools of a more advanced
grade.
Education does not consist in book
learning merely habits of industry and
of early methodical bodily cxertion are
not less important, in public point OF
view, than those of mental exercise and
cultivation. 1t is true, that unless the hui
man mind be applied to the formation OF
habits of study and acquisition of knowl-
edge when young and plant, little pro
grcss will in most cases be made. But it
is also true. that the foundation of indus
trious habits and bodily labormust be laid
before manhood stamps upon the indivldu-
al that distinctive character which is to
accompany him through life. Hence the
necessity as we'll as the policy Of compel
ling the completion Of book education at
such period, as shall not be too late to
commence, with hope Of success, The ac-
duisition of the business or calling which
is to employ and support its possessor
through life. 1t is not enough that our
youth should be book -learnod,-they
should also be industrious, economical and
moral"
We are not now willing to indorse these
sentiments to their fullest extent; yet we
are surprised to find so little in them, and
in fact in the whole report, which the ex-
periencc of lifetime condemns. 1t is to
be remembered, that this report was writ
ten when % Reading, Writing and Arith-
metic" were supnpsedto be the properand
only work of Common School, and when
graded schools were almost unthought of,
Since that time, the age of admissible
| tv has been raised from four to five years;
and better informed public sentiment
seems now to indicate, that even six is
young enough for the confinement and
continuous application of the school room.
We still continue of opinion, that the
upward limit t-say sixtcen-would be pro
motive of good to the youth of the State;
with the discretionary power in Directors
to dispense with the restriction in merito-
rious cascs.-PennYlvania School Jo"r-