New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-06
of time cannot complain that they were not
allowed the greatest.
GERMAN TEACHERS CONVENTION

GERMAN TEACHERS CONVENTION.
The public (which is largely made up OF
fathers and mothers) takes keener interest In
the deliberations of teachers going on here
and elsewhere than even the teachers sup
pose. This public has tolerably clear idea
by this time of both the merits and defects
of the system of teaching adopted IN our
public schools-prObably, indeed, juster idea
than the instructors themselves A teacher,
like every other expert, is apt to have his pet
hobby as to the best tools to use upon his
MATERIAL but the parent sees the material
which is his child's brain and nature, at home
and in the world, and can judge how the
treatment has fitted 1t for its work there.
He is not apt to accept any hobby blindly'
Most parents, for example, we think, will dlsa-
agree vehemently with the plan proposed by Mr.
Schneck, of Detroit, and approved by the con-
vention, that separate schools should be estab-
lisheG for such children as are unable to Keep
up with their classes from dizziness OF intel
lect, or neglect at home, or who are lll-be-
haved and unruly. There is some show ot
reason for placing the last class of pupils
under separate training, though, III fact, the
cases are rare where a boy is 80 hopeessly
corrupted IN morals and manners that the IN
fluence of wise teacher cannot reclaim him.
1t has a damning effect upon a child to place
HIM under public ban, and should not be
done without grave consideration.
With regard, however, to subjecting all
children unable to keep up to their classes
to a like ban of disgrace. every man OF
common sense will protest against it, The
fact is. that many children are unable to keep
up because our public school system has
become too much drill Of one range
of faculties alone. The pupil goes into
this drill, in which success, rs a rule, depends
solely upon skill in mathematics or i'll verbal
memory and if lie cannot keep step in 1t Is
ruthlessly thrust back and disgraced The
knowledge impaired is strictly confined to the
text books, and the object is to fit the child
as a teacher Of those text books. The teach
ing the explanation, which makes live truth
out of these bare bones Of facts, if given mt
all, must be given at home. There is no time
for it in the schOOl-rOom, which, as teachers
have boosted, sis battle ground where the
"keen rough boys stand and the others so
down" Every parent in NewYOrk, Boston
OF Philadelphia who has experience will agree
with us in tins matter. Now, should the Others
go down ?" A lad may have neither the
mathematical nor memorizing faculty, and yet
have q solid judgment, a fine imagination, a
capacity for broad, sound culture. The mass
OF public school teachers who usually are the
pupils who have successfully passed through
this narrow drill, are not apt to perceive such
ability or to be able to cultivate it.
Is this lad, OF any Lad whose mind natures
slowly or who cannot be taught at home, TO
be thrust down into school professedly for
imbeciles, to be permanently discouraged in
life, simply in order that the teachers may bo
left to the easier and pleasanter task Of teach
ing only boys with sharper intellects or
tougher powers of endurancei Tie proposal
is one which it is natural enough our public
school teachers should approve. But before
adopting it, the public will decide whether
this fault does not lie in the system rather
than in the scholars, and whether too, the
most prudent action would not be to try to
amend the one rather than to mjure hopelessly
tho other