Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-07-30
THE SCHOOL QUESTIONING. s.

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To the Editor Of the Ledger:
Let vi inquire into the status of the
schools after being extricated from the
"rut' by the Superintendent. In keep
ing with his way Of doing things we find
him attempting a grand experiment in
the general plan of working the schools.
We find that the entire city is to be
divided into two districts; that the dis
tricts are to be placed in charge Of as
sistant superintendent, or, as he is
pleased TO call them, district principals;
that the schools are to be almost en-.
tirely under the control of ladies; that
the three gentlemen retained, notwith-
standing their acknowledged success as
teachers, are placed in subordinate posi-
tons, where all the talent and ability
they possess will be rendered almost
entirely ineffective in the management
Of the schools; that a normal school has
been substituted for the high school de-
partment heretofore in existence, and
other minor changes hat | may notice
hereafter. The course of study for the
normal school has not yet been made
know. When it is seen the people can
better judge whether it is a normal
school in fact, or whether it is a
mere change of name. If it is
merely a change Of name, will ii
have any tendency to quiet the clamors
OF the taxpayers, to appease whom
it was most likely thought of. II it is to be
in reality a normal scbool-a school for
training teachers would it moi have
been well for the superintendent to have
inquired into the charter of the city
schools bearing on the subject2 Did the
law of the State creating a uniform sys-
tenn Of common schools contemplate
any such superhuous appendage2 Did
not the creation Of a State normal
school by a recent act of the Legislature
recognize the fact that no such power
existed in any previously granted char
ter for schools2 These are hints thrown
out for those more familiar with the
school law than l am. Be that as it may,
the normal school law is an experiment
To teach this school of young ladies and
gentlemen the experiment allows the as
sistance Of one gentleman. Its location
is to be at the Market street public
school building, where will probably be
located FIVE or six of the graded schools.
Whether the presence of one gentleman
(in a subordinate position) can secure
order and discipline, where are assem-
bled together some four or five hundred
pupils of all ages, sizes and sexes, re-
mains to be seen.
To return to the graded schools, we
find a head teacher in each building, who
will act in the absence of the assistant
superintendent or district principal. The
duties Of this head teacher seem to be to
all intents and purposes the same as
heretofore required of principals. The
duties las yet not de6ned) of the district
principals or assistant superintendent
must consist Of delegated duties of the
superintendent and such other duties of
a general nature as will present them
selves. To q practical mind their duties
will be to aid and assist the superintend-
ent, Certainly they cannot promote the
interests of the schools to any great ex-
tent in any other way. At most, they
could spend only oue.third of their time
st each school building, allowing three
buildings to each district. To represent
at any given building only seven days in
a month would not add much to the eff
cheney Of the schools. During the alb
sence Of the district principal two
thirds of the time) the schools will be
under the control Of the head teacher,