Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-08-31
Some Hints on Education from til c
West

are the co-eaa3ation Of the sex - in It's
schools, and system of parallel instruc-
ton in German AMI English in the lower
as we'll as higher grades. According
to the report Of the Board Of Education
for the year ending July 81. 1870, and
which, with a wholly westeran tard-
iless. has just been published, both these
features Of the St. Louis school system
are approved by the test of experience
The superintendent Of the st Louis pub
lie schools is Mr. William L Harris.-
Without further knowledge of him than
is afforded by his reports, it is safe
to say that he is careful, observing and
thoughtful man. On the subject of the
co-education OF the sexes he speaks not
only with decision, bat with enthusiasm.
Passing by Mr.. HarrG'S discussion ofthe
theoretical claims of the female sex to be
educated in the same classes with the
other, we invite attention to his report of
the practical advantages which he believes
to have been gained in St. Louis They
are precisely the opposite of the results
anticipated "a pri0rt-by those unfriend-
ly to the system. Mr.. Harris says:
discipline has improved continually
with the adoption of mixed schools. x y .
not merely on the part of boys, but on the
part Of girls as WE'LL The rudeness and
abandon which prevail among boys when
separate, at once give place to self-res-
tralnt it the presence of girls. The
prurient sentimentality cugendered by
educating girls apart from boys is man-
ifested By frivolous aud silly bearing
when such girls are brought into the
society of the opposite sex. This dis
appears almost entirely in the mixed
schools. In its place quiet. self possess
ion reigns x x = 1t is found that schools
kept exclusively for girls or boys require
a mich more strict surveillance on the
part Of the teachers The girls, con
fined by themselves develop the sexual
tension much earlier, their Imagination
being the reigning faculty and net bridled
by intercourse with society in its normal
form. So it is with boys, on the other
hand Daily association in the class-room
prevents this tension, and supplies It's
place by Indifference. < * Sudden
likes and disllkes. capricious fancies, and
romantic ideals give way to sober judg
mcnts not easily deceived by mere ez ter
nails. This is the basis of that quiet self
possession alluded to, and it forms the
most striking mark OF difference between
the boys or girls educated in mixed
schools and those educated in schools ex-
clusiyely for one sex. That the sexual
tension be developed as late as possible
and that all early love affairs be avoided
Is the desidera tum, and experience has
shown that association of the sexes Oh the
plane of intellectual rivalry is the safest
course to secure this end"
Mr.. Harris also believes that 'instruc-
ton is greatly improved. s. * 3 We
find girls making woaderful advances
even in mathematical studies. while boys
seem to take hold of literature better fol
the influence Of the female portion of the
class
These are differences drawn By practi-
cal man from experiments made under
bis own direction, gradually introduced
and finally extended on a large scale, The
system was first tried, where it was ex-
pected to encounter the greatest embar-
easements, in the High School. It va:
begun therefore for purposes of economy
and better classification, and gradua lly
won it's way down into the other schools,
! by virtue of It's success. The testimony Of
Mr.. Harris, therefore, has an authority
which cannot be denied.
The other feature of its public schools
peculiar to ST. Louis, is the method Of
teaching German. In Cincinnati, where
there is large German population, and
10 some extent il cur own city, tbs
German element is isolated, either BY
continuing German instruction TO certoiu
grades, or by strictly German schools -
In St. Louis, instruction in German is
commenced in the lower or primary
grades, and is carried on parj passu with
instruction in English. At first oaly
oral instruction, based on object teach ing
is employed, and from this the pupil i;
gradually advanced to more duplicated
methods. The study once begun il
carried on in all the grades of the school:
and lhe aim is to make the graduates o.
the High School not only we'll instructed
in the German language, but possessed o
some knowledge Of German literature ,aud
capable of pursuing the studies further i
they desire. The great merit claimed fol
this method is that it tends completely Il
break down the feeling ofseparate nation
atty, and at the same time to encourage
in pupils of both races d common interes
in, and respect for, the language and
literature of both.-W. 7. Times.