The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-21
Our Public Schools.

WHAT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC EDUCATION THINKS OF THEM
AN ALMOST TOTAL WANT OF GRADING
AND CONSEQUENT LACK OF EFFICIENC Y
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO BE MADE.
Last Thursday night, the Board of Trus-
tees of the City Schools met in the Council
Chamber-all of the members being present,
viz John w. Todd, President W. ].
Nelson, c. L. Cooke, John B. Scherer, ST., j.
NJ. Carroll, Isaac Witt. Capt. T. D. Ransom,
Chairman of the Committee on Schools, was
also present.
DR.. Hamilton, the new Superintendent
of City Schools, stated that he had desired a
meeting of the trustees Of the public schools
in order that he might confer with them in
reference TO important changes which
he deemed it necessary to make in the
schools. When he assumed the duties OF
his position, he was surrounded by difficult
ties, not the least of which were the
sudden diminution of funds, and the condi-
ton in which he found the schools. Had
the schools been in condition that would
have justified their continuance on the same
plan, he would have been relieved of much
embarrassment, and it would have been
comparatively smooth sailing. Instead of
this, however, he felt. at the very outset, at
ter careful inspection and examination, that
important changes were necessary. Before
these changes we're effected, he had sought
the advice and counsel of the State Superin-
tendent of Public Education. In response
to an invitation, DR.. Ruffner had visited the
Staunton schools, examined them thorough
ly and fully endorsed the changes proposed.
After these changes were determined upon,
the speaker stated that he had gone to Rich
mond and spent week most pleasantly and
profitably in the various departments of the
public schools of that city. He had been
courteously received, and every opportunity
was afforded him to make thorough in
spection. These schools, he ascertained, were
operated upon the st. Louis plan OF gra-
dation-the most complete and systematic,
in the opinion of eminent educators, now
practiced in this country.
Upon his return, he had determined to
place the Stanton schools upon precisely
the same foundation. The changes would
doubtless give rise to no little dissatisfac-
ton, as a great many of the pupils would
have to be turned back in their studies. It
would, however, entail no extra expense,
and he desired the cooperation OF the
Board in his efforts to effect an entire re-or-
ganization.
DIR. Ruffner, State Superintendent, was
then introduced. In his opinion it was me-
cessary that decided changes should be
made, and at once. Upon examination he
had found the grading in the schools erceed-
ingly irregular. He did not see how they
could be successfully conducted on the pres
ent plan. An inspection had convinced him
that they did not justify the reputation they
enjoyed. He had been accustomed to boast
of the Staunton schools, and had a high re-
gard for the late superintendent. Mr.. Ladd
had doubtless rendered valuable services, and
he Ghe speaker) had not one word to
disposed to criticize his course in an I'M
friendly manner. With the impression Gre
ated by the general reputation of the schools
on his mind, lie had gone through them and
was astonished to find the exceeding irregu-
larity which prevailed. Whilst public edu
Gators the world over have failed to agree
upon one precise system OF graduation, yet
there had been general classification, and
it had been pretty we'll determined what
studies should be pursued contemporaneous-
ly. For instance, reading, writing and
arithmetic should be commenced at the same
time, and the scholars advance in one OF
these, should be marked by correspond
ing progress in the others; next, in addi-
ton to the studies already mentioned comes
grammar, geography, and so on, until the
highest branches are reached in regular sue
cession. By this process, not only is the
mind Of the child properly developed, but
the work of the teacher is lessened and Pc
cuniarily it is often more economical. In
order that the work of the teacher may be
most effective, it is necessary that there
should be as few classes as possible. If all
of the scholars in room are in the same
classes, iG obviates the necessity of the
teacher hurrying from one to the other,
and great deal OF good educational work
is accomplished.
In the Staunton schools he could recog-
nize no principle Of grading at all, except
in reference to reading. II child was able
to read in the fifth reader he was placed in
one of the higher rooms, no matter what
might be his knowledge of arithmetic, gram
mar, geography and penmanship. His
highest attainment was established as the
grade, when in fact the child should always
be placed in grade corresponding with his
lowest attainment Parents usually desire
their children to be pushed forward as rap
idly as possible, and he doubted not that
the late superintendent, in the effort to
please every one, had often yielded, con-
trary to his judgment, and placed children
in classes far in advance of those they were
prepared to enter. In this way confusion
had grown out of kindness.
In the effort to remedy this condition OF
affairs great deal of dissatisfaction will re-
suit. When the schools are re-organized
and classes graded with reference to the
lowest attainment of the pupils, the fact
of coming down, will be regarded as deg
radiation. The protest which will be put
forward must be met firmly, if it is desired
to place the schools on a thoroughly sys-
tematic basis. By so doing you will be able
to benefit the children intellectually, and your
schools will increase in usefulness and eff
f1cicncy each year.
At the clos of DR.. Ruffner's remarks, DR..
Hamilton stated that the Peabody appro-
priation to Staunton was made upon the
condition that the schools should be graded,
as was also the appropriation of the City
Council, The schools, however, were not
graded, nor had they been, but he proposed
as soon as possible to reorganize them out
and out, upon the system now in operation
in the schools of Richmond. To give the
Board some idea Of the benefit of that meth
cd of instruction, he detailed several Incl