New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-26
NOTES ON EDUCATION.

Nebraska mas SCHOOL population VI A~"'
o6S aud the amount of school money to DO divided is
S6i2Ss %.
Compulsory education is suggested for Wis
consul Nearly one-thrd Of the school population went
untausht last year.
Complaint is made that the entrance exam
nation at Union College severe as the standing
OF the institution justides
The money paid on scholarships at Harvard,
from 1852 to 1873 inclusive. to S275,634 90
and the present annual payments are about $4,000
The salaries of the New-Haven teachers
have lust been reduced 20 the basis Of 1872. The maxi
mum Of the highest grades Of salaries ls also reduced
ATTEMPTS to abolish the study of drawing
in the st Louis schools and failing that, TO make 1t
an optional branch been unsuccessful in the school
board
A vote which is regarded as definitely de-
Gliding against the reduction OF the teachers salaries
has just been given 10y the Columbus, Ohio, School
Board.
The Buffalo Teachers Institute at It's last
meeting recommended that geography as special study
he dropped the first grade of the schools and some
branch OF science civil government be suOst
tuted therefor.
The colored school teachers of Louisville
complap that while they do the same work and submit
10 the same examination as the wbtc teachers their
salaries are scaled much lower-n some cases amount
ing TO a mere pittsnce.
The agent of the Connecticut State Board
of Education has found number OF American children
growing up in ignorance within eight miles OF New
London He iouod two farmers families In which the
children ranging from eight 10 fourteen years, could
not read
The catalogue of the Ohio Wesleyan Uni
ersty at Delaware Ohio shows an attendance OF 615
studeatA-483 gentlemen and 1s2 ladies'. Two hundred
and fortyve students in the regular college classes
The graduates number thirtynIue Nearly 100 students
have been enrolled candidates for the incoming Fresh
man classes.
The Massachusetts, State Board of Educa-
ton has prepared schedule OF questions calling Tor
written answers from the members Of the graduating
classes Of the Normal schools. The Board expects to
discover thus the value OF the work Of the several
schools and the comparative professional training re-
ceived by the graduates.
The Washington school trustees have re-
ceived from their special committee the course Of
study several excellent recommendations Condensed,
these are No textbooks, fewer studies, more oral
instruction by teachers less show-woTk moro Of the
practical ess of the theoretical The committee have
found that teachers are burdened with statistical
qurements by efforts TO present high percentages; Dy
too numerous written examinations; by attempt 10
roach too many studies and by compulsory Observance
OF inhextbe timetables Tie object" says the com
1ttce very wisely, should ever he not 10 see how
much eau be taught but how well the instruction can
be given" Among the suggestions Is one that natural
science physiology be taught orally in each school
and another, that lessons good morals and polite
manners be each week by each teacher enforced
by anecdote aud Illustration. This last recommends
ton is the best of ALL ana is heartily to DO commended
t. other school boards.
Inspector English, of Chicago, has made a
report % the school Board 10 the studies Of
music, German and drawing IN the Chicago schools,
which, though not adopted is report full OF good sense
He shows that while great deal OF time is given to
those studies each pupil has or only min
ute day in reading, and the schools confessedy far
below the standard in reading and arithmetic. Few
pupils finish the twelveyear course, and the time given
20 these studies therefore practically wasted, TO the
detriment OF the necessary English branches. The
belief" SAYS Mr. English, " that the sO-called indus
trial drawing will be practical in future life TO
the pupils and therefore should be Taught presupposes
The theory that the should fit each child for its fu
ture occupation Then certainly, If that be expected
knowledge Of plain sewing and cooking could more
useuy take the time Of the girls Not only is tho
time OF those taking drawing OF music wasted, but the
fact is that most from onehaf TO fvesixths OF
the children do not take these studies, and they
thereby deprived benefit Of the teachers time and
of making the proper use OF their own time"
"There are three fallacies,' says The Ma
fonaI Journal Of Education, underlying the persistent
depreciation OF our public schools by the heightened
mechanical experts and cultured critics in the inter
OF INDUSTRIAL UdlulK rNbN J1Ht IL II SDSoiuIcis
necessary the children of the laborDg classes should
be educated for the station in life occupied by
their parents according the plan of the present lead
ers Of educated and superior classes Second that
the object Of puOc school education Is TO make me-
chanics neede-wOmen and specialists in the various
industrial occupations, and not cirEens,-men and
women competent 10 Judge for themselves what they
Will do TO get living 1T 10 uphold the welfare OF the
State Third that superior intelligence is an element OF
disorder and obstruction 10 any class in republican
form OF government When will these excellent people,
most OF whom members Of the upper class
by virtue of their superior opportunities for schooling
from their parents learn that the laDOring class
in America needs only the best opportunity for general
enlightenment aud perfectly competent TO take care
Of itself without this ecturng OF dettanti education
alists about It's station In life"
The Boston Primary and Grammar Schools
have been entirely separated by order Of the School
Committee. superintendent Eliot said at their recent
meeting that during past six months he had repeat
edy found scholars the upper classes OF the primary
schools who belonged IN the lower classes and the rea-
son for that the upper classes OF the primary
schools were depleted I'LL grammar classes and to MI
the classes thus depleted necessary TO iii them
up with pupils from the lower cssses. 1t was in this
system OF promotion that found greatest Of
discomfort between tue primary and the grammar
schools every educational point Of view this sys
ten was abuse OF every sound educational principle.
and so precpated instruction Of the younger pupils
as 20 drag them through half breathless and wholly
unprepared 10 II. The abrupt transition through
which the scholars Obliged 10 dangerous,
both IN an educational and moral point OF view. The
action the committee OF course renders the primary
schools completely independent Of the principals of the
districts as regards instruction. The committee has
also ordered the Of instruction In the Public
latin school years and that the candidates for
admission be required to pass an examination eQuiva-
lent 10 that for admission 10 the third class Of tho Gram
mar Schools.