Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-04
REFORM SCHOOL BOYS.
hEFOFtM SCnfVOL BUN.
Their Trafning-A Look to the Future
Some Suggestions Of Superintend.
ant ShalIenberxer.

Superintendent Shallenberger, of the Reform
school, in his annual report, says: There have
been no special changes during the year in the
general arrangement and organization of the
school sessions. The boys are divided into two
separate families-but there shoulA be three,
and would be, if necessary accommodations
were provided. Each of these families have
been provided with a separate building and
one of them has been overcrowded for years.
The schools have been in session during the
year under the supervision of competent teach
ers, with the exception of the usual summer
vacation. The average age of boys received has
been below that of former years, giving a
larger proportion of younger children and in the
same ratio the school grade has been reduced.
education are taught, including reading writ
ing, written and mental arithmetic aphy
and spelling. A limited number of boys study
charged on acquiring their ''honor badge -
which in addition to the required number of
merits for good conduct, include advancement
in their scOol grades TO a knowledge of reading,
writing, and a limited experience in figures,
with ability to recite the multiplication table
from memory.
At the time of his admission every boy is ex-
amined as to his past school report. A large
number of them honestly admit their repug-
nance to study and the discipline of the school
room, Their refusal to attend the public schools
at home often send them to the reform school.
and hence the naturally increased proportion of
of bright, intelligent boys, and there is often
among them very interesting specimens of I'M
developed mental ability, possessing a very de-
cided originality of character. Under patient
training and with proper management, these
boys often make rapid progress in study, and
come to the front in our winter even
ing recitations, and take leading parts in all
our school entertainments.
A few thoughts and suggestions are offered by
the superintendent with reference to honorably
boys. Many OF them go directly
back to their homes where they are again
brought under parental care, and are doing
well. Others go to homes secured for them, and
when located at a distance from the city, with
an employer who deals fairly by them, succeed
in making an honest living. Very satisfactory
reports from many of these boys, both in per-
son and by letter, have been received within
the past year. There are others again who
manage to get along very we'll while under the
and discipline of the school, but when
returned to the city, and finding 1t difficult to
secure employment, soon become discouraged,
and having no friends at hand to advise them,
enough drift back into their old
habits of idlenesS.
1t is recommended that authority be asked Of
Congress to empower the board of trustees at
their discretion to discharge boys on their parole
and without further process of law return them
to the school in case of forfeiture. This simply
gives them leave OF absence during good be-
havior and places them on their sword of
honor for stated time.