The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-16
/. semf.AnnuaI Examinations I'm Pub
lie Schools

/ ttC 0<A1VVsSt
WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS THE TRUE TEST IN
OTHER SCHOOLS, &C., sc.
RIcHNoND, Va, February 10, 1854. :.
| have read the communication oil "W."
| in this mornings Dispatch. Having no
connection whatever with the puDhc,
schools, and without clear knowledge OF
the system Of semi.annual examinations IN
said schools, nevertheless join issue with
{" w ~ In his objection TO written exaniina.
tions, and the certificate appended TO all
the papers presented by the pupils. :.
| It Is by means premium for lying,
M "W.o seems to think. AS well say that
an oath In court, or an affidavit. is "a pre-
MUM for lying.o On the contrary. II
| teaches In early youth that certificate
"upou honor {" must ever be respected.
and thus elevate the standard for truth.
That now and then pupil may give q false
certificate, no one will deny. Men take
false oaths, suborned witnesses Ia apostolic
times were to be found, and so long as the
world stands and wickedness prevails we
Will see in high and low places-in the
schools. courts, legislative bodies, and even
the churches--the sin OF lying.
After many years OF experience as q
teacher of females / have never detected q
breach OF faith on the part OF single
pIpjl during the examinations under this
system strictly followed. Indeed, as the
sessions passed bv there evidently APP
peared to be higher sense OF duty and OF
honor among the girls at the intermediate
aud final examinations.
This / observed with peculiar FEELINGS
O; pleasure. Hence. with all respect to
"W.,sv opinions, | assert that he does
gross injustice 10 not only the professors
and teachers in our colleges. female SEMI
naries. and public schools, but to the young
men and you1g ladies-aIl the pupils
connected with them, wherever written
examinations are required, with the GER
tificate appended, that "upon honor L
have neither received or given iniorma-
tjon.v &c. As "a test" 1t is the true one.
am ready to say, only real test OF proii-
cheney or scholarship. Daily recitations
ouobt not TO be abolished. They are ac-
tually necessary. especially In classes OF
vo,Inp pupiIs. But how often Is 1t the case
that some teachers only hear the recita-
ton, but never instruct. They are hear
ers rather than teachers OF the text. Inc
child day after day recites glibly-" par
rot-like," has memorized for the occasion,
and i'm a short time has fogotten all. In
the schools where written examinations are
the rule we find the pupils constantly
notwithstanding every effort to retain
that which they have been taught in the
books, or by the lectures OF their teachers.
Hence, in school applying the "test"
which we so much approve, the pupils far
excel those falling to do so. could refer
TO the written examinations at our Uniyer-
sity, and many Of our colleges and private
schools for young ladies or youths, in sup
port Of my views; but this communication
is longer than it was my intention to make
It; hence / close with expressing the
hope that "W." will at some time sec his
error, and will also add that trust our
teachers will go forward in system which
is now being adopted all over the land,
and not be deferred In good work
because here and there some one may be
found who is laborIng under the grave
mistake that such examinations are "apre-
MUM for lying" when really the reverse
IL true. OBSERVER.