, 1877-01-07
OPTIONAL STUDIES IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.

Some months ago we published decision
by the Supreme Court Of this State, in which
the power of Boards of Education, School
Trustees, and others, to compel children at
tending the public schools to take lessons in
branches not designated by Inv to be taught
in schools supported by puElic taxation was
considered aud overruled. The study in that
case, and which the Court decided could not
be enforced, was bookkeeping; and for ex~
Guiding from school child who refused to
accept lessons in that study the Court award
ed damages. This decision vas so clear, and
SO e1ninent1y just, That it attracted marked
attention in Chicago, more particularly be-
cause it applied directly to the study of Ger
man, music. and drawing, which were CON-
pt1lsory studies in our public schools. The
Board Of Education undertook to grapple
with the problem how to ret1in these studies
in the schools and yet not violate the law of
the State as inserted BY the Supreme Court.
The Hon. ISAAC N. ARNOLD, member of the
Board of Education, finally reported rule
on the subject, which was sort Of compro-
mise This rule reads rs follows:
The Superintendent is herety authorized and
directed, Oh the reasonable request OF the parent
OF guardian. to excuse pupils i'll the Grammar and
Primary Schools from any and from all studies
which are continued from the Grammar Schools 1u-
to the High Schools, and which arc made optional
in the High Schools: Provided, that that the re-
quest to be excused shall take effect at the begin
ming of each term. unless for special the
Superintendent shall be satisfied that the pupil
ought to be excused before tho expiration Of the
term.
Hereafter, on or before the commencement of
each term Of the Primary or Grammnr Schools OF
the city, each and every parent or guardian who
desires his child. or children, or ward to study
German, music, or drawing In any OF the aald
schools. shall Sign and send written request, ad-
dressed to the Superintendent expressing such
wish, and agreeing that such child or children ahail
continue said study in course. AID that he or she
will not ask to have such child 0: children excused
except at the beginning OF term. unless for rea-
eons arising after the beginning Of tho term, and
which shall be satisfactory to tue Superintendent.
A now term of the public schools will be-
gin tomorrow, and no child can hereafter
be required to take lessons in German,
music, or drawing unless the parent or
guardian of such child shall .have made re-
quest in writing expressing wish to that
effect, and agreeing thst such child or chill
dren shall continue such study, and that he
or she will not ask to have the child excused
from such study before the end of the term.
In other words, the study Of German, music,
aud drawing has been discontinued in the
public schools, and cannot be resumed un-
less at the special request in writing of. the
parent The rule, it should be remembered,
does not permit the resumption Of these
studies unless there be objection; but it
prohibits such studies altogether unless the
parent mike the special written request and
give the pledge required by the rule. There
has always been complaint against the en-
forced, study OF music and drawing, and the
extent to which these studies nre considered
superfuous and waste Of time will to some
extent be shown by the proportion OF
parents who will give these written requests
that the children shall be taught these
branches. At all events, the studies includ-
ing German are no longer compulsory, and
the rule is in strict suborcination to the law
and the decision of the Court.