New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-10
NOTES ON EDUCATION.

Cincinnati University has just opened an ASSAY
department with five furnaces
p-oore University is to be divided and one part Oh
II is 10 he used as o purely Czech university
1.;s nronosed to hold halliday sessions for the
smsIler children in the Worcester, Mass, Schools
The studeuts of Harvard are to give three per-
formances of the "Gdipus Tyrannus" OF Sophocles
In May.
II is complained in Louisiana that the colored
people are unwilling to pay the pol-tax needed TO
support the public schools properly.
Indiana has 700 students at the three higher in
stitutions-Prrdue University, the State Normal
School and the State University.
Judge A. W. Tourgee, at recent meeting in Phil
adephia, described the evils which ignorance among
the Southern voters caused in their government and
argued in favor of compulsory education IN the
Southern States.
Kansas has now 0134 school districts, an increase
Of 512 during the last year. In the past four years
1,4O2 schoolhouses have been built. The school
population of last year was 34O,647 and the num-
her of pupils enrolled in the public schools was
231 ,434 The average daily attendance was IsI
from being as good as 1t should have 0een-t was
only 49,, 1867.
The School Superintendent of Monmouth County,
N. j. denies the report quoted by The TRIBUNE
from New-Jersey journal in relation to the FAR
Haven School trouble. He says that his instructions
have been simply that the trustees shall 80 provide
for the colored children to take away all reason
for demand to enter the white schools he alse
SAYS that the existence OF colOreu schooi az an
Haven is at the demand of the cOlOred people them
selves, and thar great pains have been taken TO
provide them with the best teachers tnat could De
obtained.
number of the Massachusetts, towns have ap-
pointed committee TO consider an improved method
of school supervision. The plan recommended pro-
rilt aiafa
selves into groups of two three four, each group
to employ a superintendent to take charge of its
schools. the expense to be distributed among the
towns composing the group ms plan ,alse pro-
yides that the school committees serve without pay
The State Boar1 of Education approves the scheme,
and circulars giving details are now Delhg sehI W
the towns.
The bill to encourage physical exercises in schools
now in the Massachusetts Legislature, has been
amended by the insertion of provision to the
effect that the pupil shall not he required to take
such exercise if his parents think it preJudica to
bis health. Another amendment provides that no
special instruction in casthenics gymnastics or
military drill shall he employed except by vote OF
tUo-thirGs of the School Committee. The Commit
fee on Education is to report against the scheme OF
Charles Francis Adams jr., for the division OF the
State into ten districts.
In the schools of Portland, Maine special effort has
been made to improve tho ability Of pupils to speak
lowest classes of the primary schools, where
the children are taught script letters,
written exercises are imposed daily through
out the whole course. As the study of
technical grammar was found to be hndrance
rather than an aid to the requirement OF language
the authorities have reduced il to narrow limits.
They have attempted to make the correct use of
language rather than the analysis OF sentences the
principal object of school work, md to substitute
practical illustrations Of the principles OF grammar
in place Of abstract rules and definitions. 10 obtain
better results from the reading cassel fresh supple
mentary reading has been introduced In the schools,
and with excellent effect. In their efforts 10 dis
courage shams and examining the authorities nave
abolished daily marking in all the schools have re-
duced the written tests one-hal' ana nave enconr-
aged teachers TO determine the value OF their M
stTuction by the ability OF the pupils TO master
principles rather than 10 repeat definitions or solve
puzzles Altogether the record of tho past year IN
POrtla Is good one, and Is commended 10 the
consideration OF other cities
This paragraph on secondary education from The
Boston Adrdti5er is worth consideration: "Educa-
ton il more important than instruction. for the aim
of education Is character while the purpose OF In
st1uctlon Is knowledge; and character is better as
well as stronger than knowledge. The subject thus
alluded 10 marks the great difference between the
Boston Latin School and such establishments as
Eton and Rugby aud the few good academies OF
New England. These can educate, while the Ameri-
can public high school can do very little beyond
instruction. THIS fact need not be disguised, aud
will explain why our public schools. particularly
those of the secondary grade, arc moro than Eton
and Rugby in need of superior teachers-teachers
who not only know much and do much, but also are
much and know we'll and do we'll. No fault is found
here with the teachers of tho Boston Latin School.
On the contrary. they deserve confidence and
respect and, If need be, praise Bat the general
experience may be stated TO be that the best APP
pointed countries such as England. France, Ger
many and the United States, have six and, perhaps,
twelve or twenty good university professors to one
good secondary school teacher Yet good high school
racademy teacher should be held III the same esteem
as distinguished college university professor.
1t is to be regretted that so few young men Of
character and high scholarship devote the whole
work Of their life to secondary instruction"