Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-08-06
1.-THE cRAMMING PROCESS


The directors have more power than all the
other factors combined and yet, are considered
tho weakest part Of the school system because
In most cases their education is limited, while
some can neither read nor write, hence they
cannot instruct or aid the teacher, grade the
schools, examine the scholars and direct what
branches each scholar must pursue, which is the
most important part Of all their work. With the
same propriety, might 60 into your Office, direct
you how to set type, make up the form and print
the papcr, mot knowing anything about it. If you,
being my subordinate, did precisely as directed,
and the paper came out all blurred, half the type
upside down, because so ordered, not know
ing better, would not everybody be dissatisfedi
Who is to blame, you or I In some cases the
directors know their ineficiency and delegate
the young, (,he more experienced and better
qualified teachers having been compelled to quit
on account Of low wages, or bad TO give way to
ia directors lid or the Superintendents pet) in
experienced, and In many instances incompetent
teacher, to perform this part Of their work. The
teacher probably never was required to study the
Elementary branches, knows nothing about them,
was never required to give the sounds Of letters,
definition Of words, principles, why's, wherefores,
&c., for anything hence be can see no practical
use for these branches, examines the scholars
and orders for the entire school the advanced
Speller, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar and
/
children to think, to compare, and to investigate,
commences at the top Of the pyramid, the higher
branches, instead of the base, the primaries
upon which the whole structure stands. Who Is
to blame, the directors or teachers
wiekersham says, In n circular addressed to
superintendents, published 10 your paper; "The
signs Of the times indicate the application Of
largely increased numbers Of persons .or teachers.
certificates during the current year The threat
/ l. Of In
school rooms at very low salaries. II not checked
II will drive the best teachers out Of the pro-
fession and greatly decrease the efficiency OF our
schools The men to guard the school interests
thus jeopardilcd are the Superntendents. IL is
their duty to do It without fear or favor"
do not doubt the truthfulness of his assertion,
but what would persons think Of thorough
practical blacksmith. who bad carried on business
Tor twelve or fourteen years,-instructel all the
blacksmlths In this county 10 their trade, and
then at the expiration Of this time turns round
and denounees their apprentices as "incompe-
tents" and appeals to the people not to employ
them. II they do not know their trades who IL
to blame, the master or the apprentice History
teaches that ninety per cent. OF the Common
School teachers leave the profession every Ave
years. Prof Houck, At the Institute last Winter,
said "that he saw few faces that were present six
years ago." Therefore, the third set or class oi
! ltonCltfs arc now hbuut tuttIluH Nut VfVttertvo
under wickcrsham's supervision. II they are
"incompetent," We would infer that he, also, wal
incomp petent, aud had robbed thousands Of chill
dren Of their education, time and money by ad
vsing the igber, instead Of the primary branches
and since II has proved failure, he, with the all
Of any old "witoh," lin order TO throw the re
! sponsibli,y from his own shouldcrs) depouncei
the coming teachers as "incompetents" Who II
to blame, Wick ersham or the "incompetents1 "
MI. A.. n. \.
same subject says "rhat she read the one hun
dred and thirty questions propounded to elias
Of mere girls and that they would mystify oui
most learned doctors Of philosophy. That thu
questions and answers were not real, but that th'
girls had been 'crammed' 10 such degree tha
, they were mere parrots, repeating without under
standing. That lip-learning may secure higl
averages aud invoke owlish mods Of approval
but the system Of examining had that day, In th
City received its death blow. Teach the children
the FIRST principles, and above all practical ever
day lessons, discard the obstruse, and my wor'
for II, they will develop into more sensible me
and women than the graduate under our presen
9 system"
. The question Is often asked, nowadays, afte
graduation, "where will We now send our childre
that they may learn TO spell, read and write.
Z The school system Is nearer perfect failure to
day than II has ever been and all through thi
. "Cramming Process. Dircctortl the peopi
look to you for aid. You have the power wi
you lend helping hand Mr.. McQuown IL nc
q responsible for the present condition Of on
h schools, nor the incompeteney Of teachers. II
has pledged his word TO faithfully perform hl
duty and appeals TO you In breaking up this In
4 famous "efamming system"
. First. You eau aid by attending the examina
tion In your district See that Il is thorough an
practical in the primary as we'll as the more nd
sanoed branches. and II II is not then he 10 r'
. tponsiblo.
4 Second. Employ no teacher with grade love
than No. .. Pay those teachers who hold a M
= Certificate ave dollars per month more tina
v those who hold No. 2. II figures mean anythinI
q q teacher holding a Certificate with Mes !,
n and upon II, the holder is not according TO la
I, competent 10 teach. Do not employ your o~
children or relatives. regardless Of qusliheaiion
u The best teacheu should be employed 10 th
c primary schools.
Third. See that the teacher arrange his elass'
and impsrt Instructions with an eye 70 remedyir
. the defects 10 previsus training.
nj Fourth. Scholars who 20 70 school for the 81
!. pre.s purpose Of annoying the school A.
teacher should be suspended and expelled. II
rood cf thirty OF forty children cannot BE- sacr
10 Seed for the advantage Of one Or two pupils.
Aciritrs,