The daily gazette., 1877-08-14

H.. Superintendent Philbrick, in his re-
port, actually blames the schools because
the age of those entering the High
Schools has increased in the two last
years. -..I.tr.. sf.J
On this subject we will refer to but
two, the city of Richmond, Indiana, and
the city of Elkhart, in the same State. In
"True Order OF Studles," by Thos. Mill
ex-President of Harvard College, a
course of study is laid down which puts
the children into the High School at IA
years of age; and in Barnard's "National
Education in Europe" the Royal
Seminary School of Berlin prepares pu-
pills by 13 years of age for the Gymnssia,
which. correspond nearly to our High
school and college together. We have
thus found that the practice of the coun-
try, whils it does not approve the short
course of seven years, which is in use in
New York City,'is very far from approv-
ing the ten years course in use in this
city at the present time. We have ac-
cordingly given our unqualified approval
to an eight years course from six years
of age, on the authority of the four fore
most cities in education in this country.
Thus is established the fact stated by the
chairman of this committee, that "at the
present time $4,000 per year was worse
than wasted" 1t can be truly said that
| II this had been discovered earlier, we
would have been aved from our pecuni-
ary endorsements of the last two years.
We have found the teachers Of this
city, as Tar as we have been able to con-
suit them. in full symp lthy with this
greatly needed reform. They have felt
tnat more work should be done, and
hat the children should reach the High
School in less time than they have been
able to do heretofore. The economy side
of his reform is far the most interest
ing side just now. It is, of course, to
those who appreciate the workings of
these schools, very pleasant to feel that
the children instead of idling their time
and learning bad habits of mind and
thought, are to be kept healrhily busy;
but the mass of taxpayers of this city,
who at the present time are grumbling
at heavy taxation, though they may not
appreciate the last consideration at it's
ful IL value, will be sure greatly to rejoice
when they know that our schools can be
muc b improved in every way, and that
our teachers can be better paid, and yet
not ore cent additional tax beyond that
now paid for school purposes.
Just reflect for one moment on the re-
suit OF fastening by one-fiith, the flow
in this stream OF young life through our
schools. Such an acceleration in the
stream will considerably diminish, as it
comes gradually into use, the teaching
done and the sizs and number Of build
ings required for school accommoda~
tions, Thus great saving can ,be made
in our schools without increasing the
tax rate. We believe that when this
reform has once been brought about in
our schools, at least So 900 per year can
be saved. If one fifth could be sav ed it
would give $l4,00e, but we do not antici-
pate that all this can be accomplished.
Another consideration, We feel, must
not be omitted. At present boy has to
| be sixteen years old who passes through
the regular course from the lowest
Primary School to the High School The
cou sequence iAssiIat many parents can
not afford to send their children through
the High School, but are forced to re-
move them and put them to trades. AS
a consequence our High School classes
are diminishing in size every year, and
unless reform is made our High School
will in few years have nothing to do.
| The sluggish course OF study in the lower
schools also puts the pupils iuto much bad
habits OF mental indolence that it Is difficult
| for them to enter the High School, where
entirely different habits prevail. This causes
feeling to exist between the lower schools
and the High Schools, which is unfavorable
to the usefulness OF both.
we 1881 LndI We nave cSLhUllbOeu
in your minds the conviction that such
reform is practicable--nay, that it is imper-
atively demanded by the best interests of
these schools upon whose prosperity the
future OF the children of our city, and the
future OF the city itself 80 largely depend.
The report here gives list of the studies
and grades to be embraced IN the shortened
course, with instructions to teachers. 1t
then proceeds as follows: .y'
We would also recommend that at as
early day as your finances allow the
High School should have three courses of
sludy-Commereiai, English, and Classical.
This would necessitate the employment of
perhaps one more teacher, who should be q
thorough scholar In languages and mathe~
matics. We believe such change would
save us from the Illumination we ielt from
the results of late examination in tLis
city. That result was dae to the attempt
to do too much in too hltle time, and was
not the ult of the very faithful teachers
who have our schools III charge. The i'm
possibility OF doing our work in les space
IS our only excuse for tresspassiug so long
upon your patience.
w. A. REYNOLDS,
E. q. SHoRTLlDGE,
ISAAC O. PYLE,
Committee.
Col. Heisler thought the report We an
important document and should be care
. ii "A 10