The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-03-14
INFAHTElE COMPREHENSION.
Professor Wherrell Says Ore Fault
Of Our School Consists in Too
Much Machinery.
And That Comprehension is Not a
Cardinal Virtue Under Such
Circumstances.
Some Very Plain Remarks to the
Teachers by the Superintend-
ent, Upon School Mat
ters in General.

The teachers me,, yesterday morning, al
the High School building. The first part
OF the institute was taken up by the Super
iniendent, who made remarks on several
topics pertaining TO the schools, and on the
examination which is TO be held during the
coming week, for the purpose of preparing
the papers for
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The teachers Of each grade met and dis
cussed the questions which had been assign
ed 10 them 10 prepare for the examination.
The examination will commence on next
Tuesday. An animated discussion took
place on the necessity OF perfect uniformity
Of the arrangement Of the anwers 10 the
questions given. Ii was finally decided that
each teacher, as far as
THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE ANSWERS
is concerned, should exercise her best judg-
ment Every teacher is maniiesiing
great interest IN the ma,ter and is deter
mined 10 produce the very best papers pos
sible. Our schools have the reputation Of
being the best in The stale, and We have no
doubt but that both tie teachers and pupils
will maintain their reputation.
GOOD ADVICE.
The Superintendent stated the substance
of the following paper which he had pre-
pared, and which contains some very solid
advice, and will bear reading:
Since We last met, the ieI N examinations
have been definitely canvasSed, and The
promotions made On an average the pro-
motions were less than heretofore. Parents,
as well as teachers, have discovered
that many OF the children were promoted
too fast; for this reason, We have been more
eSacting in our demands aud less num-
Der have been promoted. Now the Storm
is over and all troubles settled, / feel that
We have made considerable Improvement
during the past term; and although the
schools e not yet what they shodld be, L
feel that there Is united effort on the part
OF the teachers to increase their efficiency.
In making the promotions, We have taken
the marks as aguide, and have added there.
to the teachers judgment together with the
pupils record OF the term. The people
have been taught TO rely solely on marks
and a few siill cling TO the idea that an ar
b;tra.y standing should decide the promo
ton. | have had very little trouble in
showing dissatisfied patrons OF the schools
that teachers judgment is OF more in
poriance i'll deciding the promotion than
every. .5ing else. l am happy 10 stale that
a ve'y large majority desire 10 do what is
for The best and respect a teachers judg-
ment. The principal faults under which
the schools are now laboring are those
which grow out OF the graded system.
The primary fault with all graded schools,
paradoxical as ii may seen, is that there is
too much system, aud the result is that the
schools are made manufactures. The ma
jority is acted on, bat the individual is
lost sight OF. We cannot manufacture
scholars or citizens; all thai We can do is to
train them, and all that we should do is TO
1 ain them. am well aware that il is
yeIy difficult matter for a teacher TO reach
the individual when she has so manv in
The grade; but ditficult as il is. we must
make persistent effort to do so. TIE
great tendency is to be mechanical: TO
make little mechanics of the pupils
10 force pupils into certain ruls or
channels; and 1t requires under The
graded system of schools an eyer-watvh-
Iul care ard an untiring perseverance TO do
otherwise We can instruct collectively,
but, II we desire TO educate, train and de- |
velop, We must act on the Individual. |
have alread Y s.ated that our faults were
hose incident to the system. You al know |
what they. are. The broadest generalization |
hat ! could make wodld be that our pupils |
10 not comprehend. As far as the mechan-
cal work OF the schools is concerned, the |
rider and general appearance, etc. think |
We are standard; but | am not at ali saiis.
led with the training # the pupils in COM
Irehenslon. l feel, however, that We are
long good work; that every teacher
.nows where The trouble is, and that every
eacher is trying TO do her best 10 remedy it.
'ome parents very much dislike to be
roubled with any complaints about their
hildren in school, some will get angry and
ay aud write things to you which they
ught not TO do, and be perfectly inconsis-
emf. 1 would advise you TO be patient
nd long suffering and do not resent their
rrors, be perfectly courteous and respect
NJ, and | think YOU will find comparative
; little trouble.
In regard TO truancy there is not city
| the Union that has less. Our truancies
-e exceedingly few. We have not had
ore than len cases duriug the present
sar. Let me admonish you 10 be visilant
The temptations for truancy are very
eat.
L am sorry 10 say that some OF the teach
5 do exercise the proper care in regard to
e health of the children. Windows are
It open, and children are exposed in vari-
Is ways. In two cases during the past
onih, it became necessary for me 10 speak
very dictatorial and perhaps ungeutle-
anly manner 10 two teachers in regard to
a 1rtI he ii. ,.x l. 1 I
rough sheer carelessness; have no patience
I,h such actions, and earnestly hope that
snail never have the occasion 10 do SO :
,ain. The health of the children must be
retully guarded and protected, whatever
Sc is lett undone