Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-30
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

"OAS = SA1AIA0 SSAAOOA~Ss
annual Report Of s,.pt. Tomsley-His Tie,o
on the Course of Study-Fncts and Statis-
tics-G;0ssa Ooes. Psecfos3s Years.
The GLOBE is indebted to Superintendent
Tousley! FOR advance sheets of his forthcom-
ing annual report, from which we extract the
following valuable information. The report
opens with the following sensible generaliza-
tons in relation to the
COURSE OF STUDY.
In former report this topic was dis
cussed at some length, yet in view of tho
interest which has been awakened the past
year on the subject, and for the purpose of
re cur to it again. To devise course of
study for school population as large as
ours, and to so arrange it that no matter
when the pupil comes into it, or how long
he remains, he shall get the greatest possible
good, is one of the unsolved problems of
our time.
Indeed, we have hardly arrived at settled
views concerning the meaning of the term
education. The result we may never reach.
For as no Two pairs of eyes see the same
natural object, so in the realm of thought
no two minds compass precisely the same
idea. If we had thorough understanding
of the faculties of the human mind, the
order of their development, and the kind of
knowledge and training at each successive
stage of such unfolding, true order Of
studies could be determined. This we do
not have. And SO long as ignorance of this
fundamental condition remains, oscillations
in course of study will be looked for, and
any system will present vulnerable points.
Professor Tousley then enters at length
into elaboration of the system of instruc-
ton fostered by him, and its uses and pur-
poses, giving his views clearly and succinct-
ly 50 that friends and enemies alike can
thoroughly comprehend his position. We
extract his views on the subject of
Reading for the past year has exhibited
marked improvement. This result, how
ever, has been chiefly confined to those
grades where an effort was made to supple
ment the regular course in reading with Sc.
lected matter. I cannot too highly com,
mend the instruction which has been given
in this department. of the high school. The
ease, beauty and force of expression which
have characterized the public perform
ance of the pupils of this school il
lustrate what teacher can do when with
hearty enthusiasm she determines to secure
the best results. In all grades a larger per
cent. of good readers could be secured, and
with this an ability to select, appreciate and
use good books, if teachers could adopt the
measures which experience justifes. 81
AS it is, custom has prescribed one reader
for each grade, and the selections fof this
book in nine cases out of ten are insipid OF
lifeless, either insufficient in quantity or un,
suited in quality.
Better have two books for each grade thar
one; better issue one book in ten install
ments than give it entire. Children should
read more stories and less detached senten-
ces; read something in which they are inter
| ested, and not that which has been conne6
to disgust. They should read twice as much
as they do. When it is recollected that al
the reading matter of whole series O.
| ordinary readers as far as the 9Th, is actually
less than an eight page frst-class daily
paper, it will not be surprising that SO little
is accomplished in this direction.
STATISTICS.
The following statistics speak volumes fol-
the growth of our city schools, and nothing
will speak more distinctly than the figures
themselves. In the high school there are:
Church school. liz
OuItAs DlOck. ..........,.. ~