The Portland daily press., 1883-02-13
THE SCHOOLS.
Continuance of an Interesting Discussion.
A RESUME OF THE DIscugsroN.

profession, the criticism of oui public
schools seems gathered from the various
newspaper articles written upon the subject
during the past few weeks-to be as follows:
1.-The Office OF superintendent of schools a
useless expense.
2-Speciaists, as teachers, an added unnec-
eSsary expense.
3-Hign schools not to be maintained at pub
lie expense.
4-Need of industrial schools.
Our present system all wrong; no individ-
uaity developed in the pupils (although the
faithfulness End efficiency OF the teachers at
present employed is in general admitted); the
child not taught to study, only to cram and
repeat by rote.
6-Suggestion number one that the old COM
mttee Of twenty-one members be reelected.
Suggestion number two that at the coming
election such changes be made as shall insure
radical alterations aud improvements.
Please allow me to consider these points in
their order:
First-Would it be practicable to conduct a
business SO extensive as the management of
our public schools without a head, without a
supervisor whose salary should be sufficient to
enable him to afford to give his time and
strength to the discharge of the duties of the
office? Before answering this question it
would be well to acqnaint oneself in detail
with the amount and the complication of the
labor represented by the title Supervisor of
Schools
Seeond--In my opinion one OF the strongest
points gained during the past ten years is the
employ of teachers who have made two
or three branches of study the main features
of their intellectual effort. My illustration
would be, comparison of the natural sciences
as taught in the high school in 1872 and the
methods employed in 1882 by Mr.. Morrill,, who
has made the sciences rather speciality In
deed I believe, when Mr.. Morrill, gives chemi-
cal experiments In his laboratory to an eager,
wide-awake class of students or when he il
Illustrates the workings of the telegraph and
telephone with clearness and precision, sho,o
ing them what they might not grasp in theory,
it implys that the practical, industrial element
is prominent one in the high school course of
study.
Third-It is possible there are influences at
work outside the existence of a High School, to
give Young America the impression he is
above entering workshop to learn a trade.
What does ehear at home, in thesireet,every-
where, of the future open to poor boy in this
country? False notions prevail, he catches
the spirit, LIST the general tone alter on this
work of education and not be held as respSnsii
BILE for the lack of humble, unpratendng IN
dustry among our young men. There is not in
Amer to-day a large class Of lads ready to
serve three or four years apprenticeship un-
der skilled workman. Perhaps the success
of Yankees in invention-their achievements
in the line of "labor saving machines"-has
something to do with growth of impatience
An article on the school question in Saturdays
PRESS mentioned, think, that young men of
other nationalities, though thoroughly educat-
ed, avaied themselves in large number of
cases of very modest position in business
trusting to later promotion.
Fifth have wondered whether the views
presented under this head are held by persons
who have noted the object teaching in the
primary schools, somewhat similar to Kinder
garten methods; the supplementary reading
matter used in the primary and grammar
q AIDES SO sure of inducing freshness and inter-
est the good results from the study of music
and drawing, and the value of oral instruction
in minerals, plants, animals, coiors and the
like. | heard one parent object to the Study
of mineralogy' in the Grammar school, Now
there is he textbook work on the subject. The
oral drill is introduced purposely to save the
pupil from routine and non-originaliIy.
When boy of ten-a little acquaintance
came to me with bit of stone he had
found cover on the Cape and with spark
ling eyes told me it was different from his
other specimens, but his teacher would tell
him all about it, L did not conclude that this
self-reliant out-of-door study would take away
from his progress in reading and spelling. An
active, restless little mind cannot, with advan-
tage be fastened to "Three r. s" for five and a
half or six hours day.
Sixth-There has been and is revolution in
matters pertaining to general education Ad
vance will be constantly made. This need of
industrial training is one important question.
Criticism on our public schools is invited, but
it should be given with a knowledge of facts
and in a spirit of fairness and mpartiality. our
schools here in Portland are very efficient and
thorough The way to establish further pro-
gress has hardly been pointed out in any eug-
gestion yet made thu ough our newspapers. 1t
will not come from the action of the people in
general. They may give strong points, but
they must of course put the working out of
their views upon speciallsts-men who have
given much thought 10 methods OF education.
Who so well fitted as those among us most
interested in such work | am voicing the sem
timent of numerous class of people in Port
land by offering recognition of the services
OF DR.. HUI, Mr.. Libby, Mr.. Burgess, Mr. Bar
rage aud Mr.. Thaxter in their sympathy with
the progressive spirit of the time and their un-
failing perseverance and industry in school
work, as we'll as an acknowledgment of the
faithful labors of all members of the present
board. One word further. Why is our corps
OF teachers fine one? Because they are now
selected for their requirements. Much more
accurate work is expected of them than for
merly. A poor workman does not usually
have capable assistants 1t is due TO the school
committee that the teachers of their selection
are SO well fitted for their positions.
NIB.
THE DUTIES OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
To the Editor of the Press.
l do not propose to enter into any controver-
sy with the critics Of our public schools and OF
their administration, but merely to give some
uvht intaI1ipant criticism
Can be based. like fair criticism, even though
it be severe, but when it is made from want
of knowledge or Misrepresentation of facts it
should be passed over in silence or an honest
effort should be made to enlighten the critic.
1t is for the latter purpose that have gathered
a list of the duties and work of the Superin-
teLdent of Schools and Secretary of the School
Board. This statement will be a sufficient an
swer to those who think the Office can be done
away with and It's duties imposed upon the
members of the School Board Rules and
Regulations of School Board, page Z, This
rule requires the Superintendent to attend at
office sat least one fixed hour each day." In
fact Office work has SO accumulated that two
or three hours day is required to do the nee
essary work of the Office. These Office hours
are from to 10 a. No. every morning, and on
Saturdays, and frequently on other days, ex-
tend to II or II o'clock.
Office work is as folows:--(a) To attend to
cases of teachers, parents and others desiring
information i'll regard to schools and school
work.
(b) By order of the City Council the Truant
officer reports at o'clock for advice and direc-
ton.
(c) Office correspondence has to be atten ed
to at this time. OF this, as our schools are bet
ter known, there is large and increasing
amount, from school men and others, all OF
which is common courtesy, and for the reputa-
ton of our city demands prompt attention
(d) Official records, tabulation OF statistics
Sc. work, which in other cities OF the size
and importance of Portla d, requires the whole
| tfma of n oood nsnuaan Fnerallv a ladV clerk