Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-08-28
Oar Pnhllc sclsaeis.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT Hal

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT BAR
Ian.
D. W. Harlan, Superintendent OF the Public
Schools OF Wilmington, submitted his first annual
report to the Board of Education, Monday even
ing. 1t is a very lengthy document-too long
for publication entire-so we are compelled to
summarize it.
He first compliments the Board by saying that
when he first entered upon the duties of his
office he found himself 'associated with Board
of Education deeply Interested in the success Of
the Public Schools of the city, and with large
body of faithful teachers. The Ia schools under
the control OF the Board were so far independ-
ent Of each other as to seem scarcely parts OF
one system. A summary OF their operations,
however, was impossible, owing to lack Of uni
formity in reports by principals, but this has now
all been obyiated.S9
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
A cursory review of the condition of these
schools is first made in which the Superintend-
ent says that he found some teachers giving
undue attention to particular branches Of study,
| to the exclusion of others; likewise, tendency
TO advance pupils in books without first thor
oughly digesin ing what they had essAyed to learn.
| While the teachers themselves were we'll up to
| the times in methods OF instruction. many were
without the skill and tact which love for their
work and proper use Of the means at hand should
have given them. The action Of the Board with
reference to these subjects has remedied some
Of these evils, and is still working changes as
rapidly as is possible to expect. The Supern
tendent also has been laboring for the accom-.
plishment of the same ends and has produced
at least uniformity in the programme OF exer-
cises in the several schools
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The two grammar schools, Nos. / and 4, he
found in excellent condition, both with reference
to discipline and instruction. But one difficulty
presented itself the filling OF vacancies by pro-
motions from lower schools. This kept the
Salt Il. l.
pension Of irregular pupils aud gave the schools
the appearance OF great prosperity but 1t in-
terfered badly with classification. Pupils were
promoted into classes whose lessons they were
not capable OF preparing. Hence one of two
evils must ensue-the class must be set back to
the grade Of the new pupils in it. or they must
prepare lessons too difficult for them. The evil
was corrected by making only three general pro-
motions from the primary to the Grammar
schools.
On Oct. 9th.1s71, No. school was removed to
its new building. a Boys department added and
the number of teachers increased from two to
nine Apparatus for illustrating Physiology,
Natural PmluFphy aud Chemistry has been pur
chased; series OF lectures Natural Phllos-
ophy has been delivered before the Boys De-
parment by the President of the Board, while
William Candy, Esq, has given some very at
tractiye lessons in Botany,
or the teachers in No. in JAM, 1871,
only two remained during the past year, but not
wIthstandng the change, and the dispensing
with a Supervising Principal, the school has
maintained its former good reputation. The
grade Of scholarship in the first class has been
reduced by the demand made upon it for teach
ers in the other schools Its progress has also
been hindered by the employment Of its mem
hers as substitutes Since Jan, 1871, q pupils
from this school have passed examinations for
teachers, Is of whom have been employed here
and one elsewhere.
The Seidel and Heald prizes has infused an
interest in these schools never felt before.
THE SATURDAY NORMAL SCHOOL.
The interest in this school has been Of slow
but -teady growth Slxty-three names was en-
rolled during the year, of whom there were an
average attendance of 80. Several teachers who
were not members Of this school pursued its
studies, and the effect was evident in the exam
ination at the close OF the terms The studies
have heretofore been confined to subjects taught
in No. 4. L. is hoped to extend 1t further, soon.
The importance of the school il exemplifed in
i the failure OF about one-third the teachers to
pass thorough examinations in rudimentary stu
, dies The wisdom of employing teachers who
are endeavering to educate and fit themselves
for successful examinations next claims the at
tention Uf the Superintendent, and he finds but
little utility in il. In the nature of things they
! must either neglect their pupils or their own
, studies Some teachers he says, he has found
, who even made their preparations for the Nor
I NAL school during school hours.
In conclusion, the Superintendent bears testi-
mony to the faithfulness and zeal Of the teach
l ers, and commends them TO the generous regard
, Of the Board. He hopes the time is not far dis.
IL tance when public sentiment will allow an in
If crease of compensation for increased work de
le manded. He also thanks the teachers for tn,
warm welcome which he has ever received to thl
schools. and the members OF the Board for then
: uuiiorm courtesy and kind consideration
, Subjnlned to the report is some valuable sta
= tistlcai information, the most important of which
we present
e This table shows the monthly average number
l. the monthly average attendance and the month
1 y percentage Of attendance of pupils and ais,
the monthly number Of applicants