The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-06-22
THE CANTON SCHOOLS.
REPORT OF SUPT. WORLEY.
Gentlemen otNe Roa,d Of Ed,cnlion

Gentlemen QfAe ROard Of Education
Eleven years have now passed away, since
nave been In charge Of Canton Union Schools
They have been years Of tiresome, yet not by any
means unpleasant labor, on the part Of my asso
| ciate teachers and myself. We have had man,
trials aud yeXations TO endure but also, In the
| general good results accomplished, have beer
Afforded much satisfaction and pleasure. Many
OF the evils formerly affecting our school work
sometimes very seriously, have almost entirely
disappeared, and, though we may not claim Ia
have reached anything like perfection, It Is q
matter of general congratulation between parents
| and teachers, that, under all the circumstances
much good has been accomplished, and the pub
lie school remains as dear to the people as In the
beginning and with It's ever perfectlng systems
| aud measures comes nearer aud nearer year by
year, to the realization Of the grand results dc,
signed by It's founders, In furnishing the commu.
nifty with men and women, of at least so much
culture and training as will enable them better
to meet the reasonable requirements of cult
waited society, and In providing the free state with
citizens capable Of wisely and discreetly Judging
in all the weighty matters Of public Importance
committed to their keeping, The public school
Is not indeed without It's defects and is not lack.
ing In enemies to magnify these defects greatly
beyond what is reasonable and just It., there.
fore, becomes especially necessary for It's friends
ana particularly for those entrusted with the
management and administration OF its affairs, to
seek appropriate remedies for actual defects, and
odeiend 1t manfuly against the aspersions and
Misrepresentation of It's enemies
The discipline Of the schools, while wisely and
moderately enforced, has been in most cases en-.
tircly successful, and there has been gradual
and general improvement in good order during
the past year Teachers, and pupih with bnt few
exceptions, have been regular and faithful in
their various duties; and the several examina-
tions OF the year have manifested due diligence
and improvement on the part of most of the
scholars. Some for want of natural ability, and
others from lack of industry and application,
have failed to sustain themselves; but these are
only exceptions to the rule. A trial now of sew.
eral years. clearly indicates that 1t Is within the
power of the great majority Of our pupils to &C.
cOmplish well and thoroughly, the course of study
laid down, within the prescribed time; about as
many accomplished more than the majority in
the several classes and are advanced more rap.
idly, as fall below and are obliged to retire TO
classes behind them And thus while the course
provides for the average ability, provision Is also
made for advancing those whose natural talents
aud industry justify it, and of denoting those who
from any lack whatever, show that their longer
continuance in the class to which they regularly
belong, would result either in disadvantage to
themselves, or to the class in general Classifca-
tiOn is of as much importance in school work, as
division OF labor is in the general interests of
society; but when it is too rigid and inaexible it
tends to encouragement both to the more apt and
talented among the pupils and to those who are
less favored by nature and surroundings.
The enrolment of pupils in the schools still in
dicates gradual increase as will be seen from the
following exhibit;