Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-30
"COOEx a" ANSWERED.
A Correspondent Views OF Our
School System.

To the Editor of tho MORNING TELEGRAM:
In your issue of July II, | notice some
inquiries by ''COdex A." an ''impecunious
and uneducated taxpayer" regarding teach
ers Institutes and the subjects taught in
them. and in our common schools. As am
a teacher will endeavor to give the desired
information.
The school system OF Michigan is what
Huxley has said the school system of State
should be, VIA great educational ladder,
with one end IN the gutter and the other in
the university Perhaps 1t would also be
IN accordance with the facts to say that it Is
the word-method of reading in the primary
department, and then a hop. skip and
Jump into the university.
You are a poor man, and doubtless have
children. You think that you will give them
an education. something better than money.
There are free schools. 20 the support of
which over half your taxes are paid, and
here your children will receive this educa-
ton.
Your child goes to school, and L. placed
in the primary department, IN the
charge of an inexperienced girl. You
think this il strange but its all right. The
board has hired this girl because she can be
hired cheap, and 40 money can be saved for
iii cher Education. The Primary depart
ment don 9 amount 10 anything. nothing but
babies. any one can teach them New
scholars coming into school push your child
into a higher grade. and finally. after success
sive pushings be Il pushed, sometimes called
promoted. Ito the High school. He has
now probably been TO school eight years.
Ell rht years" You say why. | only went a
10, I trt md
write and cypher and spell better than this
child can" Ny friend this may all be true.
but see you are an 'Old fogy," and know
nothing Of the "new education" Your
child has been taught SINGING and drawing.
and has had lessons on plants, and bugs, and
soap bubbles, he has also received moral in
struCtion" and has been Taught the effects
OF alcohol on the system" because you know
that now -a-days mothers and Sabbath
schools have gone out of the business of
moral instruction. a. was the way when yOu
we're a boy. and "A for the effects of alcohol.
your boy would surely become drunk
ard II ne did not have this instruction.
and As for instruction ia reading. writing.
/ and arithmetic. the three Rs belong to the
backwood aud the log school house. and are
I ont ~ date in this progressive age
Well yOu say. my boy has wasted
I time enough / vii have him learn a trade,
7 this education j. not what thought it was.
T No you must not do that The refined
and iufeli gent part % the community viii
T call your boy a "hoOdlum. and wul say you
F have no interest IN your sons welfare. and
F etc. you mast send him 90 the High School.
+ There i uo landing IN this educational lad
T der. Il your boy steps OF. be will fall to the
bottom.
f someone has said. I hope not IN irony.
thar. The Michigan High Schools are IN
+ suuailed A. preparatory schools. and IN the
nearest approach % the German Gymnasia
I ~ any American schools" NOu read this
and think Here my soD will get that preps-
ration for the sctive dntses of life. that de
sire him 20 have. 10 f preparatory school
+ - son aend him. He is there now. He Il
studying Latin. lt mag he that he cannot
f write page 81 English correctly. hut that
F doe@ not matter. he must stndF latin. Or al
f hrs subsequent life uiil be q failure.
You complain &C this but son should not.
+ All the rights TAX payer has are to pas tsxes
and be silent.
N.sr.unc f-rs