The Portland daily press., 1869-10-26

Mr.. philbroek of Boston and Mr. Moore of
LYNN spoke briefly en- the topic
The next subject for discussion was, "Do the
examinations for admissions to the High
Schools exert an undue influence upon the
instruction in the Grammar Schools?"
Mr.. Eaton, of Charlestown, was invited to
open the discussion, which he did in quite
lengthy speech, devoted largely to finding fault
with school committees and supervisors. He
spoke very strongly of the ignorance manifested
10 tne educational supervisor of the State, and
charged the faults of the schools mainly upon
school committees. He thought grammar was
of very little as it was required to be taught
in our schools. School committees require pu
pills to learn the definitions, and the conse-
quence is that they learn little else. He
thought that as a general thing the teacher
was governed in his teachings by the character
of the examinations for the High School. If
teacher knew what to expect at the end of
the year he would shape his whole years in
slruction accordingly. Mr.. Eaton would blot
out these examinations for the High School
entirely, and allow all pupils who had worked
diligently and faithfully to pass on into the
High School with no test but the teachers
word Mr. Eaton's remarks were stated in a
very clear and distinct manner, but were rath-
er bitter in their tone.
Prof Hagar of the Salem Normal School,
made some very excellent remarks on this
topic. If any of your readers have had the
pleasure of listening to Mr.. Haglr, they can
understand the happy and instructive manner
in which he presented his views on this sub
ject. He thought much had been wisely said
and much had been unjustly said. He agreed
with the gentleman from Chs.rlestown that the
quest prepared for the examination of can
didates for the High School were often desti-
tute of common sense, but there must be form
for examination, and as teachers in the same
town or city differed greatly in their judgment
and ability, it would not be just to let each
teacher send as many pupils as he pleased to
the High School. So it must be left to the
committees to decide who shall be promoted
There must be some standard; but in refer
ence to duh scholars he thought they ought
not to be kept back if they had a record for
diligence and honest effort Some gentleman
asked Mr. Hagar how he would decide such
cases. and he replied, "let the common sense of
the committee and the judgment of the teach
er decide" ... ,....
Mr.. D. B. Hubbard, of Boston, closed the
discussion by expressing his belief that as a
general rule those pupils who were taught in
the best manner would get the highest per
cent. ON the examination for the High School,
and that there was no necessity whatever for
examining pupils. In his opinion the invidi-
Gus remarks which had been made about school
committees examinations were, in the main,
| unjust and unfounded, and that teachers were
disposed to be sensitive and arbitrary as well
as school committees. According to his OBJ
servation good teachers had no difficulty in
getting their pupils into the High School with
| out examining. 10 ea -~s OBJ
The afternoon session in the grammar Sec
ton has not been as interesting to those in at
tendance as the forenoon session.
| Stacy Baxter, Esq, of Boston, has read a
valuable paper on vocal culture" and Mr.
| Bartholomew has illustrated his methods OF
| drawing.
have been unable to learn the particulars
of the proceedings in the other sections, but
understand they were well !attended and of an
interesting character. A large number of
teachers are in attendance upon the meeting,
and it is hoped that large results will be gain
ed by it. The skies were somewhat unpropi-
tious in the morning, and water-proofs and
umbrellas were in vogue. They, however,
proved only burden, as the day has been very
beautiful. promenade concert is to be held
this evening at Horticultural Hall, and some
| general exercises tomorrow will close another
annual gathering of the teachers of Massa.
| chusetts. -.--s -sFes,rr BAYARp.