Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-07-30
THE CRAMMING PROCESS.

Ma. EDIIoR We see 10 almost every paper
,cs pick up, an article condemning the "oram-
ming process in our schools. / read in your
local columns some time ago, an article in which
this sentence occurs; "fhe whole system Of mod
ern teaching seems to look to the perfecting to
the top Of the pyramid the higher branches Of
learning, while the base, the primaries, upon
which the whole structure stands is apparently
neglected" We constantly hear on the streets
and on the farm, that children are reading in the
Fifth Reader, and cannot readily pronounce the
words in the Third in the advanced Spelling
book and are unable to spell the simple words IN
their reading lessons in the Higher Arithmetic,
and cannot solve intelligently the questions in
the Elementary in the advanced Grammar, and
cannot tell when verb Is transitvc or instransi-
tive, or really the difference between a verb and
a noun in the Common School Geography, and
do not know half what the Primary contains.
There are Eve factors personally interested In
our school, viz The Superintendent, Directors,
Teaehers, Parents and Scholars, and to suggest
remedy for the "cramming process" which Is
robbing thousands Of our children from their
true education, we must consider each separately
The superintendent's sphere of action is set
forth in tho act creating the office. The most i'm
portant Of his duties are the examination Of
teachers and visiting the schools. The object ofex-
amining teachers should bo to exclude such as do
not possess the requisite knowledge to teach sue
oessfully. In order 10 accomplish this the OK
animation must be thorough, and every teacher
should be required to give the why's and where
fores. II a teacher cannot give logical reason
for everything, how can be impart to others that
which he does not know himself; II he cannot
define the common words in the First, Second
and Third Readers, how can be expect his schol-
ars to do III II he cannot read correctly the
pieces in those Readers how will be teach others
TO read them; " he cannot solve readily all
problems in Arithmetic, and explain the prinoi-
pies principles are not derived from rules, but
rules IRON principles, how In tho name Of heaven
can ho instruct others. Therefore, II this officer
grants certificates to those who are not thorough
ly qualified to teach either an Elementary or an
Advanced School, he Is, more than any other
factor in schools responsible for the deception
practiced, which has proved so deleterious to all
Of our children. 1t Is the duty of the superin-
tendent 10 look TO the interests Of the thousands
Of children in this county and not to incompe
tent teachers.
The grading Of certificates has always been a
mystery. II No. means perfect in the common
branches, and No. perfect in the elementary
branches. what do Nos 8, 4 and meant /
should say they mean entirely incompetent. II
Nos l, 2, and are on the same certificate,
what does that meanl II might mean that the
holder was good in one branch, and entirely in
competent in the balance, which would not entitle
him to school, as the law requires that all
the common branches must be taught. VEN
tuTe the assertion, that not one person In hun
died when they see certificate know anything
about ~: Inere should bc a standard adopted
and puenshed in every paper in the county IL
those thihgs which interest everybody most, are
70 oekept forever IN the dark, It would seem sim
Ply test oi uniaifness' Ihe people demand en-
iightenment upon this subject
sehool Vintaiion, should think, !. to promote
tne cause OF education, TO aid In slevating the