Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-09

Ings: ~
mns e fss Year nns n s .,a,
1851 rs 600 1855 I25 600
10 1862. 1900 /" 1852. 245 900
sc 1853. $4,000 " 1870. 2lO,O2O
.s 1S64.- $500 .s ISL. $4,000
" 1866, 10000 " 1873 259,OOO
For further statistical details the Committee
refer to the comprehensive report of the Super
intendent, and to the table appended; and in
this connection We would express eur hearty
concurrence in all Of his recommendations.
careful examination Of the report will show
aged; that every cent has been duly accounted
for, and the utmost care exercised in the ad-
ministration of the trusts committed to the
Board.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
AFTER years OF effort, we have at last obtained
tnat essential 10 the completeness and efficiency
81 Scbe every PIohc school system1a Normal
operation, under the control of highly efficient
teacher, Miss Lucilla f. Smith. The object of
tne school Is to take our own girls, those who
graduate from our Public Schools and desire
10 become teachers, and to give them q proper
training, in order to ft them for the responsible
duties Of educators of youth. The course of
study strictly professional, and is to be pur-
sued with reference to the best methods of
teaching. As the school grows i'm years and ex-
perlenee, 1t will ultimately graduate pupils
textbooks, and whose knowledge will be of
things themselves, rather than Of any form of
WORDS from the most able authors. This has
been the aim of the best German educators.
and OF a gassiZ and his co-workers in our own
land. WIN
Our next step should be the organization Of a
h!gn school, the necessity of which has been
set forth in every annual report for years past,
and we content ourselves here by cordial en-,
dorsement OF the views of the Superintendent
on this important question.
THE COURSE OF STUDY,
the subjects of Drawing, Vocal Music and Ger
man, have been so extensively treated, that
the Committee deem ii unnecessary to do more
than briefly refer to them. The subject of
drawing having been carefully considered by
the Board, plan was adopted by which the
teachers of the schools should receive special
training, thereby enabling them to impart in
stIuction to their pupils in this branch Of study.
Tbs matter was placed in charge of Mrs. Susan
Z. Fuller, lady of fine artistic culture whose
s SKI as teacher OF drawing commended her to
the Board. She has entered zealously upon her
duties, with fair promise of abundant success
In teaching vocal music. the change referred to
by the superintendent is an indication of pro-
gress, and will doubtless produce the most sat
isfactory results; the pupils will eventually be-
come thoroughly acquainted with the laws of
harmony and yocalization, and fully CONVEX
source Of culture. The absence of the study of
the German language at the opening of the
schools can be accounted for by peculiar cir
eumstances, and it will come within the prov
iDce of the Board to consider some Man nv
which this subject shall receive due attention.
THE EXAMINATIONS OF THE YEAR
Just closed were satisfactory to all concerned,
and reflected great credit upon the teachers;
but, on account of certain defects In the present
system, II might be well for the board to con-
sider the question Of maAing such change in
the oral examinations as shall meet all the re-
quirements Of the case, and awaken additional
interest on the part of the public in these inter-
esting exercises at the close Of the school year.
in sttsndance mas mas Oeen marked Improvement
ed by irregularity in this respect. Our schools
are now nearly all graded, and graded school
cannot succeed saless each member Of the class
keeps up in his studies. 1t Is to be hoped that
this subject will more forcibly engage the atten-
ton OF the public, and that home duties will be
SO arranged as to enable pupils to be regular
TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORDER
IL an ever present source of anxiety; to be able
to govern school, 30 that the kindly elements
OF the pupils nature may be developed, and to
avoid any manifestation of hsrshness requires
q high degree Of moral and mental discipline on
the part Of the teacher; and 1t is earnestly de-
Public Schools, when they shall be 80 governed.
The spirit of the age Is Christian, and the law
OF doing unto others as we would have others do
u uinIe Us Il coming 70 De rule OF action, and
passing away; and that aught but the law Of
kindness should prevail in the temples dedi-
Gated to education, is hard to be accounted for.
IL might therefore be worthy of Iteration at
tn time, whether it would be prudent to make
the discipline OF our schools intellectual and
moral-entirely free from anything like physical
Il
good Is an element which accounts in great
measure for the worlds progress; and might we
not be willing to prove, by giving it a fair and
sity in the cause of education. The Trustees
have always shown an interest in this matter
evidently anticipating the time when the school
prison to be avoided, and the teacher a friend
70 be loved, and not tyrant to be dreaded. As
early as 1si5, when the present school system
was inaugurated, the rule on this subject was
follows. hal
such discipline in their schools as would be ex-
ercised by kind, judiciOus parent in his fam
lly, and shall avoid corporal punishment in all
eases where in their judgment good order can
be preserved by milder measures;"-a very
careful rule, and full of significance, and, in
view Of the condition of the p ublic School sys-
tenn nearly thirty years ago, IL indicates high
degree Of enlightenment on the subject, and Re
justly emit tied to our most decided APPRECIATION.
DECREASE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
r. Inc early early Reports take up each schools
tees manifested an intelligent and continuous
desire to discard corporal punishment in the
diseipnne OF the schools. The Report for 1913
proved systems of education are fast supplant-
ing the discipline Of the rod and the Trustees
are happy to state that but few instances of cor
poral punishment have occurred in the schools
OF the First District during the year" In the
Report for 1856 We ind the following language:
The teacher, without resorting to severity,
finds no difficulty In the government Of the
school" "The discipline Of the school Is firmly
but mildly maintained, corporal punishment be-
ing unknown" "The relation between the pu-
pills and their respective teachers are character
ICED by becoming familiarity and respect, and
wholesome discipline 10 maintained by affection
rather than fear" "The school is governed
oy moral suasion, as are most Of our schools;
snd though corporal punishment is occasional
aesoiteo 70, II IL generally In extreme cases,
s.,,sd al otner modes of punishment have
s,a,e%.n, IN the report for fs5 the following
ss.e menus we're made: 'sThe teacher possesses
se.t admirable faculty OF elicitIns the obodience
Of pnn,.hmsn, " anection, rather than the fear
have improved greatly the teacher hsyinS made made
gfest cnsnge In the previous mode of sovern-
ing the school, substituting nrmness ana mi
formity OF manner without harshness fnr 81.
rod; and though corporal punish me nf has hs sa
reeorted to, II was less frequen than formerly -
The extracts here given might lie readilvyn-
creased. In
THE PEIsENr RULE
10 a. follows: "Mild and conciliatory disc;nlic.
10 enjoined on al teachers, and the svoidnncs
Of corporal punishment q far g NAV b. vifS
. due regard 20 the necessity OF obedience
on the part q the pupil" 1t Va doubtioos an-
ticipated that und6r this rule corporal punisS-
merit would entirely pess away, bat such has
pee 20 ben ~ resplts End W and that thO