New-York tribune., 1876-12-23
PUBLIC SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT.
VIEWS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT on PRESIDENT
wooD's SUGGESTIONS.

VIEWS OF 1hE nIIhhA4Ni'f4'hA1''' ~
woOD's SUGGESTIONS.
Henry Kiddle, the Superintendent of Public
Schools in conversation with arepOrter OF tho TRIBUNE
csterdav gave his views OF tho suggestions made bY
William wood the President of the Board Of Education
I'm his communication TO the board announcing the faot
that M health wond prevent his being candidate for
the Presidency during 1877 Mr.. Kiddle said;
"I think the first changes recommended-thc eauaiza-
on Of the salaries of teachers the altering Of the mode
-, GRADING the scholars and the consolidation Of all the
departments in one building, under one principal instead
NJ hreeare excellent and would be for the interests o
all concerned The great advantages arising rom con-
soidation are the uniformity In administration "heh
IL secured tine better supervision That can be inah
t,ea and the greater economy allowed in paying only
one principas salary. Besides this, 1t wond conduce
IN the harmony Of the system The employment OF three
rueipals in one baidng often occasions disturbances
which are natural and, may say, almost unavoidable
whore there are conflicting interests AT the same he
changes oucht not made too hastily; ana We sha
have 10 take caro- not 10 naugurate some system 'hv
may be worse in its evil effects than the present one
AZ N vesng the authority 10 grant teachers licenses IN
., rae,lty Of the College Of the City Of New-Ioik
eornot cav that [ agree with Mr.. Wood. The Snperin
,5enrs Department has the constant and entire super
vision OF the teachers, and is interested In lAa0
work alone. ON the other hand. inc minus o'
the college professors engaged constantly and ad
nously uTon the higher branches OF education otuieS
of the lower grades have almost faded from tei mem
nries The IOune duties upon which tHey so'rT w. on
amino an applicant totally unfamiliar 10 the Nheh
n appieant IS licensed at this Office it is only Tor 81 (
Incntfs upOn passing examination as TO learning ana
moral character At end OF that tme the case - OK
ained into by an officer The officers report and mat
81 Tie nrnipal settle the matter with, perhaps an IN
yesgatOn IL necessary. IL the teachers record ls eA
ceilenf-that ia our highest standard-a pelHdhCuI
license is granted and II nderen-Thich IS the lowest
marE-no license Is given and the clty mas got
rid of an incompetent person Ihus VIC We STTotp yoT
something more in teacher than mere pIon-
eencv in studies and good moral character-we secure
a person ability TO perform all the duties re-
,i In holding the position. According to the bylaws
Which govern the Board Of Education the College, anu
the teDdcnt in this matter graduates IRON tne
colIe0e receive licenses 10 teach the superintendent par
ficp9ting in the examinations This Drngs lne eacHeIa
nder fhe superintendens from the very start III
regard 10 changes proposed by Mr. Wood IN the evening
schools agree with him In many things DeeVhg tneIe
0re many steps which be taken TO make Lieh more
cdicent At the time do not thnk tnelh hS Ihe-
eent as Mr. Wood implies There are great many Ita-
sons why tho evening attendance should be more rIeu
lar than that the day schools and the dlberhce DC
tween the two is only abOut 10 per cent ar WOW
recommends that children under IA should not bc hl
led M All ANA that none under 81 should he admitted
ythout guarantee from responsible person that there
shall nc regular and prompt attendance on tDe part OF
the scholar agree with him ia these things"