National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-18

There was q written and an oral examination
held during the year to determine promotions.
These examinations were strict and close.
Changes have been made in the
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION,
as progress during the year has dictated desirable
and important. A course Of instruction, en-
braeing the Primary, Secondary and Grammar
schools, and covering period Of eight years. is
urged upon the attention OF the board as inducing
thorough scholarship and adding to the favorable
character ofthe schools. The examinations showed
that photography. reading, arithmetic and geog-
raphy have secured very fair attention, while
other required branches, embracing penmanshIp,
grammar and history Of the United States did
not generally, in their results, show that degree
Of excellence which duo attention to them would
indicate. 49,.
The methods Of teaching these various branches
of Instruction are then explained by the superin-
tendsnt, and the Importance OF each urged with
emphasis.
The progress in music Is then pronounced by
the report to be satisfactory, though but two
teachers for the entire number OF schools are en-
Pioyed This gives lesson Of thirty minutes in
each school once week. The long Interim be-
tween these lessons tends to forgetfulness on the
part Of the pupils. Tho efficacy OF music in dis
Polling dullness and introducing vigOr and its in
fuenee on moral training arc worthy OF especial
comment.
The lack Of an adequate teaching force in the
Grammar schools is noted as demanding action Of
the trustees.
The examinstionsInt the advanced studies should
be semi-annusl, and the promoting degree should
be placed very high.
The success Of the schools depends in great
degree on the ability and energy of the teachers
Nothing Is more evident than the fact that the
teacher Is mirrOred in her school, and the truth
fulness Of the image 1t presents seldom admits Of
question.
Though hedegres of success that attended the
is6crs Of the corp. Varied 2. was expected, with
was satisfactory. The exceptions are attributa-
bic to causes which, in every department Of bus-
ness, forbid success, viz: Irregular attendance
want Of energy and want Of interest, and possibly
in acase or two inaptitude for the work.
The frequent irregular attendance Of q few
teachers has 30 long unfayorably affected dis
cipline and retarded the progress Of pupils in q
few Of our schools In the many temporary changes
mands the immediate interposition of the board,
to say which shall be considered OF greater i'm
portance, the interests of the few those Of the
many. Want OF energy, want OF interest," and iu-
aptitude for the work, In my opinion, are not
The following arc the recommendations OF Su-
perintendent Cook:
INTERPRETATIONS.
As no Increased provision, as before intImated,
has been made since last report at least the same
necessity exists for more accommodation. In the
Second, First and Fourth districts, and In prece-
deuee, In the order named, there e absolutely
need irrespective Of Its character. In all oxcept
the First and Third the character Of the accom-
mediation needs, moro or less, improvement.
Other recommendations, with the reasons there
for, have been placed under the appropriate heads
Of this report, and would respectfully solicit
them the favorable con sideratfon of tie haz ~