Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-13
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE VsHOLEs7tMFNES OF SCHOOL
S.Is8NES.
What "-Hrs. Wh0'' Says About It-A
Fns.ge.i Presentation oF the Case.

To the Editor o. THF EvEN1S6 STAR:
While reading fHE STAR, a few evenings ago
Miss Easy came across the protest of parent
against some Of the present features of our pub
lie school system. and denounced it as a
'CrOwl." Now. must confess to having de-
cded liking for ''grOwls" of that kind: they
prove the interest that people take in one OF
their most valuable possessions. and are cacu-
lated TO show the persons entrusted with Ifs
administration that the eyes of the owners are
upon them As the -'growl" referred to con-
tanned an uncommon amount Of truth and sen
sibie protest. nope that il may be the keynote
OF a mammoth chorus which, in time will cause
the reform demanded by our needs.
| see that ujght schools are proposed as a
KIND OF soothing syrup to still this cry. Let US
look at the plan and see whether it is the best
one. How many boys and girls. after having
done days work. have a strong enough hun
ger and thirst for knowledge TO be willing to
spend their evenings in school? There arr eX-
ceptiOnal cases. yes. but they are not numerous
enough to justify the expense of public money
or will not be-, when the novelty of the affair has
worn OF
REFORM SUGGESTIONS.
Suppose then. We begin by acknowledging
that, perhaps. something could be improved in
the present system, whjch would give the chill
dren of the poor what they need in the way of
education during three or four years of school
life. If. for instance, all the time and attention
of teachers and pupils during the first three
years were concentrated on spelling reading
writing and arithmetic. with geography added
the fourth year. enough ought to be gained
even by dull child to make the way through
life toeraby pleasant
Then iet u take the money necessary for
night schools and put it into extra school rooms
and teachers. pGyisy tie highest salaries 10 he
forrest CRATES. since it is there where the great
est patience. tact and perseverance are required
10 De successful Then let no teacher have
more than forty pupils; give her some discretion
in regard TO lessons: have semi-annual exam-
nations and transfer pupils as they become quail
fed, and watch the result.
HOW THEY Do IN GERMANY.
Some schools in Germany furnish admirable
examples of this system. The different grades
are divided into two divisions, the one far i'm
advance OF the other: that is which advances
orerapdy and into which the quicker or m ore
studious pupils find their way before they have
been III the grade three months. promotions are
upcn merit. and a pupil of average ability can
pass through two grades within the year with
ease he hours are divided into those for
study and rec tatiOn. During the former all
study. the teacher going from one to the other
explaining, correcting. giving all the help a
Child needs; when the time Is up the lessons are
recited-iilustrated, if possible, and firmly i'm
pressed upon all minds.
IN the girls schools one or two hours IN the
afternoon are set apart for all kinds of ..hapd-
work, as they Call it. The teacher is in her
place. ready 10 render assistance wherever
needed ladies who take an active interest in the
Children and have the time and knowledge to
giSe. act as assistants; all around the room are
groups of gIrlS, with plain sewing knitting
mendlng. darnlng, or different kinds of fancy
work and IN favorable position sits the reader
OF the hour. who has been chosen at the close of
yesterdays session, reading some entertaining.
instructive book. The reading over there Is
call for criticism OF the story. poem. or whatever
read. anu discussion often springs up which
strikes astonishing sparks frOl.I some very IN
promsIng-lOOking pieces Of flint.
How do | Know all this? oh! happened to
be there. and just wish | could show you the
elegant darnng | learned TO do there: it's a
great deal nicer than the kind in vogue here
and which | practice with my mouth-when
every evening. have TO teach my children their
lessons. at nome, that they may be able to
reclte them the next day at school.
Mrs Who