Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-09-12

Id. Tel. Dear SHY our recent artl-
Gle concerning the public schools of this
city, calls for more than passing notice.
The points claiming especial attention
may be reduced to two, namely:
1st, changes of books,
End, free education for the poor.
1st. As regards this much-vexed ques-
tion of book changes, may say at the out
set that the patrons of the schools, Board
of Education, teachers and all are undoubt-
edly unit in demanding that no change
of text books be made without the best of
reasons. may say further that, since
have been Supt. of our schools, no change,
with the exception of the one now pend
ing, has been recommended or adopted in
connection with our primary or grammar
departments. To this exception wish to
call the attention of the friends of the
schools, since it is change from which
there is obviously no escape. The facts
are as follows We are now using in our
schools, McGuffsy's End, 3rd, 9th and 9th
readers-the same text books were in use
here as long ago as 1861. Within a few
months the publishers have come to realize
that more modern readers would supplant
the McGuffey series, unless the books COM
posing it should be revised. Consequently
they have made thorough revision of the
entire series, retaining comparatively few
of the selections found in the old edition.
Tho fact that such revision was in pro-
gress, having been brought to the notice
Of the Board of Education, they, knowing
that change could not be long deferred,
simply accepted the inevitable and voted
to adopt the revised edition of McGuffey's
readers. This substitute:of the new for the
old is to be made only when schools, upon
completing hesrudy of reader, are IN
der the necessity of purchasing the read
er nexEhigher, By'this arrangement, the
change will be brought about gradually,
and the pupil will have the benefit of in
PRODUCTION and exchange rates. Since the
revision is 50 sweeping that the publishers
put the new McGuffey's series upon the
market as if it we're entirely new. As re-
CARDS the particular case referred to in
the TELEGRAPH article, would say that
pupil passing from the A grammar 10 the
high school, has to purchase an outfit Of
books, the same number that has been
purchased eyer since the complete organi-
cation of our schools-only one other book
need be purchased during this first year,
and the entire book account for any sub
sequent year does not amount to as much
as the books boughtat the. commencement
of the high school course.
I'd. As regards "children deprived of
the advantages of free education because
of the heavy tax for books" 1 am not
aware that there is in our community one
needy pupil who is compelled to be alb
sent for the reason alleged. I have made
many inquiries during the past year in
just this direction. Several cases were
reported by the teachers during that time
and the Board Of Education promptly
furnished books which needy pupils are
freely permitted to use. should esteem
it favor if our citizens would inform me
of any cases of this kind of destitution,
and Twill guarantee thatnot one deserving
pupil shall be denied the free use of the
books needed to begin, continue and com
plete the course of study adopted for our
schools.
In closing this communication permit
me to say to the friends and patrons of
the schools, that suggestions and criticisms
which have in view the highest efficiency Of
our schools, will always be gladly received.
1t may not be out of place if 1 take this
opportunity to extend cordial invitation
to all to visit the schools and Judge for
themselves as to the work which is being
accomplished, The inspiration that comes
from frequent visltations and from we'll
timed words of encouragement, will do
much to aid teachers and scholars in the
successful discharge of school room duties.
Yours truly,
GEO. W. WAITE,
81 Supt. of Schools.
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