Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-17
Our School GrOWlery.
VARIOUS REFORMS SUGGESTED.

10 the Editor of TIE EVENING STAR.
am glad to see that our public school matters
are being discussed in the papers, as it is only by
calling public attention to the existing evils that
we can hope for improvement. have given good
deal or attention to the matter, and agree fully
with those who have complained OF the present
management OF the schools. They are not BY
good deal, what they ought to be, and may be
mace without additional expense What is wanted
is board of trustees composed OF men who possess
a knowledge OF the best methods OF teaching and
ABOVE all, thorough appreciation Of the true OBJ
lects OF the public school system, which is mainly
TO qualify the mass OF children to the fullest extent
possible 1or the practical affairs and duties Of fe
and VINO Will see to 1t that the most efficient means
are applied for accomplishing this result The
next most important requisite, is superintendent
impressed with the same ideas, and who will work
harmonously with the board to the same end
The idea OF the present superintendent and his
efforts as exhibited in the schools, seems to be
mainly 10 teach the ornamental, rather than the
practical, TO make great show and parade at the
expense OF the useful Information, which is the
great necessity tS for nlnetenths OF the pupils
"ex-trustee" comes to the defense Of the Superin-
tendent by saying that he is not responsible for
the course OF studeSthat that matter is In charge
OF committee or the school board, &C. Technic-
ally, that Is so, as Is also the selection of text
DOCKS, but practically it is not correct The fact is
lnat THESE matters. one and ALL have been con-
trol!ed directly or Indirectly, by the Superfn-
tendent. He has suggested II not directed, nearly
the entire course OF studies md management OF
the schools as well as OF the books or course
as was shown by the examination this fall he has
lnduced the committee, which for years past has
Deen mainly controlled by one OF his personal
friends, 10 go through the form OF endorsing his
suggestions AS shown In this last instance OF the
adoption OF new books the action OF the hoard was
not had until after he had the books actually
adopted. Moreover Will '.ex-Trusteen pretend to
say that the board or any committee is responsible
years past practiced in our schools? 1t is the re-
suit OF verbal order from the Superintendent to
member OF the board The same is true OF all the
begging schemes, and the so-called
POETS DAYS,
which takes the time and attention OF the ouptls
from their regular studies days and weeks to hunt
up isolated facts in reference to the boeraphy
OF an individual, and to read or commit to memory
ana repeat pages OF poems OF which large share
or the children do not and cannot comprehend The
Feai meaning; Ihese are matters which ought 10
elsewhere. such things, instead of helping the
ordinary school children to acquire the information
they need, simply take so much Of the time which
ought TO be devoted to their regular studies In
that sense 1t is an injury instead or benefit and
tne same Is true OF many other practices under the
present regime.
DEFECTIVE TEXT BOOKS
How thoroughly the committee on text books
have scrutinized the books adopted Is illustrated
by many defects in the books now in USE For
instance, In Campbelrs Concise School History,
adopted some years ago, edition of 1870 ON nape ID
OF the Constitution. In the back part OF the Book.
may De found this question and answer:
v now long does patent hold good?"
the Commissioner OF Patents may extend the
patent for seven years longern
Now that has not been true since the change Of
The law, In 1861. And 1t certainly is strange that
rlght here at the capital, where the laws are
enacted, and where the Patent ONCE is located,
anu with "lawyer' as chairman OF the committed
such untruths should be permitted to be taught in
the pubic schools Hence "Ex-Trustee" win see,
that although the committee ..embraces LAWYERS
doctors" &c, somebody has not looked after these
matters as they should have done. 1t may be that
TX! tx trustee" was member OF the committee
w a6 Mod Tafr
Is, ol course cannot say. However that may be-
the TACT would Indicate that IL, like most OF the
tendent, and without any thorough examinafion
Dy the committee. OF course q single error of that
KIND might be overlooked In cursory examination,
pC e TACT that III should escape the attention OF the
committee, the superintendent, and the hundreds
OF Oh teachers Tor years, shows want Of attention
hail the appointment Of Gen. Birney on the
board with pleasure, because know him TO be one
vi tle pest posted men in the District as to the
oil conducting them. II the board could all be
composed OF men like him, and they could be per
lily cooperate with the board and carry ont their
instructions our public schools could and would be
vastly improved.
AS TO THE PROPOSED NIGHT SCHOOLS
they are less required here than in any city OF the
size In the country, for the reason that we have
relatively very much smaller number OF factory
operatives and the like who cannot attend the day
schools Besides, our past experiences has shown
that tney were not attended and therefore not de-
nanded A lar better plan than that would be to
connect with our public schools a system OF Indus
trfal schools. That is the great want or the day
IN THIS country, and II daily becomes more press
ing While l am not opposed to teaching the
hlgher branches as far as We have the means am
very clear In the belief that the same amount ex-
pended In an Industrial school would be of i'm
nensey more benefit to the public at large It
should ever De borne in mind that the great mass
u Tue children who attend the public schools In
the natural course OF events will be comneIed IN
Sork ior living at some trade or in some ordinary
pranch OF business; and the public schools should
ance possible In qualifying themselves for the DO
siIiohs they are 10 occupy In life. We have no
r8nt 10 sacrfce the interests of the many for the
special benenL OF the few; and it is not RIGHT to
tax the pubic at large 70 support schools to qualify
tne SONS OF the few, and usually OF the weather.
CLASSY Ior conege-at least, not until we have made
provision Ior the necessities OF the mass But this
Is subject that demands more space than you can
give 1t now. p:rSx~ 49,
! December Is, 1854