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

The board of education held their regular
monthly meeting last evening at their office,
Odd Fellows block.
At the roll call all the members answered to
their names excepting inspectors Kerr, Cullen
and Whitney.
Before reading the minutes Mr.. Sweeny
moved that "all the nastiness connected with
DR.. Dana be omitted
That portion of the minutes referring to the
late investigation was accordingly not read
After the minutes were read and approved
the superintendent read his report showing
the number of pupils ON the roll for June to
be 3,092, and average attendance 1888. The
report also showed that 81 pupils had passed
according to the regulations of the board for
school, and 10 who had attained the general
average, but who had fallen below the average
of IS in some one subject.
Dir. Merriam moved that those who had Oh
tanned the general average and only failed in
subject be adm tied to the high shoot.
A discussion cnsued, DR.. Sweeny and Mr..
Benz opposing any such motion, Mr.. Benz
stating that he was told by teachers of the high
school, that out of some twenty admitted last
year, not more than four were fit to be admit
ted. DIR. Sweeny said admitting pupils of low
average in any subject. lowered the standing of
the school.
Mr.. burlington said that he was opposed to
the method of examination pursued, and
always had been. He had addressed the board
before on the subject but they had thought
it wise not to act upon his suggestion. It was
not fair to submit the pupils to the examina-
ton test, after long and severe term of hard
work, and besides at examination pupil
gets excited and anxious, and in consequence
the quickest and most sensitive fail. It also
H. 81
nicious and objectionable. He had known
princi pals of grammar schools to spend the
hours out of school, early and late in tstuf-
fng' certain pupils in order to secure large
average of passed" He though quarterly ex-
aminations in connection with the
usual monthly averages better
was insisted on those averages, and the pupils
standing should be taken into consideration
He thought, too, that the failure of pupil in
one subject to reach the minimum standing
should not disqualify for the high school
there are pupils, and generally the smartest
pupils, who find it impossible, perhaps, to
master one particular study, while they might
be brilliant in all others. He thought that
those who had failed IN one subject only, and
who had done SO we'll in all others, should at
least be permitted another examination.
DIR. Swccny moved that the superintendent
be instructed to re-examine the nineteen pu-
pills who had failed in one subject and report
to the board.
MIR. Merriam moved as an amendment that
the nineteen pupils be admitted to the high
school after a further examination by the
superintendent in the subject in which they
had been found deficient.
Several members of the board expressed
the opinion that to object!to these pupils and
place them in the dilemma that they must
either leave school go back to a lower grade
and study for year, would be unjust. Mr.
Mcrriam's motion carried.
The superintendent report showed that l16
suspensions had been made during the year.
They were mostly suspensions by teachers,
made according to rule and were all reinstated
after appearing before the superintendent.
The assertions, the report said, circulated that
the superintendent had arbitrarily suspended
and dismissed pupils were false
The superintendent was credited with having
made $50 visits to the schools in the year. The
high school had had 3 examlnations-at the
first 2O2 pupils were examined and 100 averag-
ed Is per cent. and over; at the second 1870
were examined and 10 passed, and at the
third l76 were examined and 103 passed. in
Guiding the graduating class.
Below is a list of those who are entitled to
admission to the high school, the figures show
ing the standard, the maximum being lOO