The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-27
Massachusetts stase Teachers, Associa
BOSTON, Oct. "a, lS60.
HIGH SCHOOL SECTION, .f..

HIGH SCHOOL SECTION, .r....
The first subject taken up by the High
| School section was, "The Method of Regu-
tating admissions to High Schools"
A paper on this topic was read by Mr.
Burnham of Newton, Mass, in which he ad-
vocated the abolition of all examinations fol-
admission to High Schools, and recommended
instead. that the Principals of Grammar
Schools send such pupils as in their judy
ment were qualified, all of whom were to be
on trial for three or six months, and to return
to the Grammar School if they proved unable
| to proceed with the studies of the High
| School. INK.
l. The reading of the paper was followed by a
lively and interesting discussion, which was
participated in By Messrs. J. c. Greenough Of
Westfield, Averil of Northampton, Perkins Of
Lawrence, Smith of Dorchester and Howe of
Jamaica Plain. Nearly all the disputants
agreed that the plan proposed by Mr. Burn
ham was utterly impractcab'e, and had proved
perfect failure wherever it had been tried.
A tao0-ddys' examination was better than
sac months examination, and the effect would
be demoralizing to the High School and to
pupils so Unfortunately promoted. The
verdict the teachers was nearly unanimous
against abolishing examinations.
care the High Schools what they should
be?" was the next topic. 1t was taken UP
by Mr.. Harrington of New Bedford. who is
recognized as ultra-radical on matters per-
tanning to schoolkeeping. He explained his
idea OF grading the public schools. He would
divide The whole body of pupils into thirteen
classes four primary, five grammar and four
high. But the peculiarly radical and novel
idea OF his plan was, that each class was to be
pushed on unbroken and intact to the close
of the course. No examinations were to bar
their onward march to learning; and no dis
elimination whatever was to be made in the
promotions. He criticized severely the school
system of Boston because no more pupils
were graduated. Mr.. Harrington did not in
form us whether he could revise Natures
works or not, but think he will have to in
vent machine to manufacture brains before
he can successfully carry out his plans. Mr..
Harrington inveighed against school COM
mittnes for cruelty keeping scholars out of the
High School, apparently forgetting that the
Grammar school is peculiarly the people,s
college, and that the branches pursued there
IN are much the more useful; and that it is
the greatest mi fortune which can befall a.
boy or girl to tail of a good thorough grammar
school education.
What is knowledge of Greek and Latin
worth without the ability to write letter in
good, clear, legible hand: to spell the words
correctly and construct the sentences gram
mlticaly?
What is a knowledge Of the higher mathe-
mates worth, it the young man cannot reckon
quickly and correctly and keep accounts ac-
curately? Let me say then to the boys and
girls, stick to the grammar school till you are
able to stand thorough examination for ad-
mission to the High School. 1t will save YOU
many bitter trials and disappointments.
Mr. Philbrick of Boston defended the school
system of this city, and stated that great i'm
proyements were making in getting scholars
into the High School. Mr.. PhiIbrick has
probably done more than any other living
man for the improvement of the school sys
TEN of Massachusetts and the amelioration of
the condition of school teachers.
His judgment IS always cool and clear, be-
ing founded upon many years. experience as
pratical teacher He is never behind the
times in his ideas, neither is he visionary and
impracticable.
If space would allow would say more in
respect to the life AID views of this usually
quiet but staunch, jealous Massachusetts
educator. Born and bred among the gran
lite hills of New Hampshire, he worked his
way through college, and like many of the
sons OF the Granite and Pine Tree States, he
came to Massachusetts to teach school. nearly
thlrty years ago. He has been for several
years superintendent of the public schools of
boston and member of the Board of Educa-
tlon OF Massachusetts,. He has ever been
nrm friend OF teachers, and urged upon them
the necessity of greater seli-improvement
May he be spared for many years to continue
his labors Of love and devotion in the creat
cause of education.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Prof William ". Goodwin of Harvard Col
lege read paper on the Relation of High
Schools to Colleges"
The paper was followed by lengthy dis
cussioD participated in by several gentlemen,
among whom were Prof. Atkinson of the
0'a al Institute of Technology and DR.. Samu-
Ell Taylor of Andover.
The general tenor of the remarks were Wis.
ionary ana ldealistic. Prof. Atkinson, how
ever, combatted the crowd, and showed that
the great mass of our people needed more a
good English education than anything else;
and that it was practically absurd to exnect
'he great body of pupils to reach the lofty
standard of university scholarship proposed
.S ~ 'ohe OF the gentlemen present. One en-
s''c gentleman was in favor of dyao-