Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-24
OUR SCHOOL DIFFICULTY AS LOOKED
UPON ABROAD.

The following is an editorial in the Edu-
cationat Eeekly of Chicago for June 18th {:
a great deal of pettiness has cropped out
IN the city of Sacramento over the admis-
sion of pupils in the High School from two
rival schools, the Capital School and the
Sacramento School. 1t seems that the
pupils of the Sacramento School failed
in arithmetic, and their teacher, Mr.
Mcdonald, was accused OF incompetency
ON account of the failure. The charge was
emphasized by the statement of a mother
whose hopeful had failed twice to pass for
the High School, II this charge holds
good in the case of Professor Mcdonald
there are a great many incompetent teach
ers outside of California; for there be in
Vulnerable mokhers' darlings that would
not pass for the High School, though they
should remain in school as many years as
St. Simon posed on his pillar The investi-
CATION brought outa degreeof clique contest,
pickering and professional jealousy on the
part of Professor Adams that is surprising
IN SO large hearted State as California
Superintendent Mann of San Francisco
was examined as professional expert and
pronounced the questions too difficult, and
judging from the few examples that were
specified they were more than difficult
they were ridiculous The whole contro-
versy was more disgraceful than a divorce
scandal, and betrays a littleness in the
educational authorities that makes us
proud of our Chicago board by comparison.
Yet it betokens prying into school affairs
that might be of benefit in some other
quarter. To probe for an answer to the
question, {" Why did the Sacramento
School fail in arithmetic?" there was a
meeting held at which the excitement of
our Republican Convention and the hilarity
of the combined Greenbacker-Socialist-
Woman Sufrsgist gathering were emu
lated. The Chicago Principals are too
sharp to get into Mr.. Mcdonald s difficulty.
They run no risks by preparing pupils for
the High School, but put the work upon
the head assistant; then if the result is
creditable they take all the credit to them
selves, but if the class fails, they put the
blame upon the head assistants. If Mr.
Mcdonald is dismissed for incompetency
in Sacramento he should steer for Chicago
without delay. Two classes of Principals
are in great. demand in Chicago-women
and incompetent men.
This is from the editorial page of the
Netc England Journal of Education Dos
toni for July LIST;
In late examination for admission TO
the High School in Sacramento, a set of
questions was given on which the pupils of
one of the grammar schools passed on av-
erages that were suspiciously high, and
those Of another school failed deplorably.
The question then arose, was the teaching
Il I.fz i
questions too difficult, and the pupils Of
the other school speciallyprepared on them,
or on others very similar to them To pass
upon the character of the questions, John
SWEET, principal of the Girls Normal
School, San Francisco, was called upon as
an educational expert. His analysis of the
questions, his comments on them, and his
views incidentally stated OF what instruc-
ton in arithmetic should consist, as re-
ported IL. the Sacramento RECORD UNION,
form one of the best articles on the subject
that it has been our happiness to peruse
during the past school year. To attempt
condensation Of Mr.. SWEETS opinion
would be educational mutilation and lit
erary murder. Suffice it to say that he
pronounced the questions injudicious and
impracticable, mere "schoolmasterisms,
suitable to the making OF arithmetic
sharps, but unsuited to the needs of gram
mar school pupils for an examination test.
The questions he characterized as puzzles,
it would puzzle many good teachers to tell
their meaning. They were as remarkable
for what they did not contain as for what
they did, since from them was omitted al
most every principle and operation that
would be of value in the common affairs of
life. On similar questions, issued by the
State, he had seen many well-edueated
women and good teachers slaughtered on
the memorable examination block. Mr..
Swett's suggestion was that both classes be
re-examined on set of fair questions of a
practical nature, prepared by an educator,
or committee of educators, in the far
East. The investigation is not yet con.
Guided. In it the citizens take great in
teresa good sign, on the whole.