The New York herald., 1868-04-28
PlDL.C EDUCiTI0y.

The Course of Studies i'm the Pub;c Schools.
Tie assembly room in the Hall Of the Board OF Edu
cation was crowded last evening by the teachers,
school officers and numbers Of the friends of public
education, convened at the invitation OF the Joint
Committee on the Course Of Studies and teachers of
the Board Of Education, to exchange views on the
necessity OF change in the course OF
studies the amount OF labor imposed on
both teachers and pupils and the feasibility
Of abolishing corporal punishment in the schools.
Commissioner Merrill occupied the chair, and on
either side were the other members OF the Joint Com
mittee Messrs. Dupignac, Nelson, Hall, West FUR
yea and Curing. AT the time appointed for the open
ing OF the meeting Mr.. Merrill called the assemblage
20 order and read the resolution in pursuance OF
which the meeting WAS called. Mr.. d. IL.
Scott. principal of Grammar School No. 40,
ana Mr.. T.. Hunter, principal OF Grammar School
male departments, aud each eenleman read q
lengthy and wen prepared aryument in relation to
mended change in the number OF stu,lies and fhe
plan OF teaching prescribed by the Laws or the Board
Of Education, suggesting hnt the course destonated
Outlines be stricken from the course of studies;
that the system or reviews be dispensed with: that
classes be not held responsible at the annual ex-
aminatlons for the stuiiessin lower grade. They
contended that IL was merely an impossbility for
child -en or men 70 remember all that they had
studied and that the time taken up In reviews fire.
qucntly interfered with the progress OF the pupils,
aud rendered them something like doors moving
backward and forward on their hinges hut making
no progress. Mr. Hunter contended ihat each study
was intended only to devclop the mind on a certain
point, and that when that object had been at
tlined the subject could with safety he
laid aside and higher branches introduced. The
subjects s'uGied were Ike intellectual dumb-belis,
and when the intellectual muscles had been developed
so that they could use them with perfect case some
thing heavier should pc employed. Both gentlemen
contended that great deal OF the fatigue AMI illness
under which teachers suffered was occasioned by
fears OF the examination hy the superncnlens 3 anl
that they nigh, not get exactly as many points as
bic TO be removed or superseded at the win OF some
Of the school officers. They recommended change,
II not an entire abolishncnt, or the marking system,
or that the marks should not be made public and
stated that now as much could he effected without
anxiety might be avoided.
Miss NJ. A. Smnis OF the female department OF
grammar school No. II, read terse and able argu-
menf showing the principal objections 70 be:-First,
TO the indeinienes5 OF the Of studies a. laid
down by the Board secondly, the reviewing required
number OF subjects required to be taught; and
sue Thought ., too mucl, ,,. was ieft TO g.esswork
mar school No. "a, stated few points.
chiefly agreeing with Miss 'Smms and Mrs
McCloskey,, principal Of the primary department
OF school No. IL, and argued against the placing of
young and inexperienced teachers over large num-
bers of the younger children IN the primary depart
ments In which really was needed more mature llv-
menf and better acquaintance with the minds Of chill
dren than young teachers could he expected TO POS
sess she argned, as did also those who preceded
her that great source of disease among boh nnnIs
and teachers arose from the fact that most OF the old
school buildings were miserably ventIllted and many
of the cassrooms constructed so that no ray Of sun
lignt ever penetrated them. Mr.. Kennard Vice prin-
cipal OF male grammar school No. 10, followed IN q
very able address, and argued chiefly ayanst the
great number Of studies which the pupils OF the
higher grades were obliged to pursue, and shovel
by well prepared statistics that IL was impossible for
the pupils TO he well taught In all that they were
required To go through with. He also showed the
great advantaocs that would accrue TO the system by
the adjustment Of the Introductory class OF the col
lege and modification OF the course OF studies In the
college and the schools. 40 as TO form continuous
chain OF studies, and demonstrated quite clearly that
the college would be much benefited by the change,
"a well az the system generally.
The session lasted some three hours but the sub
Jects being OF so much interest and importance all
present listened attentively to the arguments and
dscousres without giving any evidences or fatigue.
AZ the close OF Mr. kennlrd's address Mr. Merrill an
no1nced, after consultation with his colleagues. that
me meeting would then adjourn until Monday, May
II, at i've O'Clock r. ".