The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-14

EnITogs OF THE ADVOCATE avail my
self of this means to lay before the public, in
resnonse to numerous inquiries and sugges-
lions. a synopsis of what has been accom-
plished since the present administration OF
the school system assumed control about one
year ago.
/. The books, graduation, course, OF study
and daily order of exercises have peen mace
uniform throughout the county.
D II has been established that the board
Of school commissioners is the repository OF
legal authority in school matters.
3. The course of study prescribed oy the
school law has been enforced. All pupils,
except those who are physically Unable ana
those who have hitherto pursued only par
tiaI course and are nov attending school Tor
the last fine. are studying all that the law re-
ou;res for their respective grades. Three, at
least, are now studying geography and history
where two did formerly, and five at least are
now studying grammar where three dla lot
merly.
4. In the elementary branches the teaching
has. been made more thorough and systematic;
while the higher branches, algebra, geometry,
boolx-keeping. philosophy and literature, have
been removed from the 3d. 4th and 9th grades
through which they we're Unfortunately
scattered and have been confined to those IN
which the State Board Of Education placed
them.
5. The pupils fitness, ascertained by pub
lie examination, has been made the sole
ground of promotion.
G. The collection of book fees has been
strictly and impartially enforced The re,
ceipts from this source for the term Just
| ended. with an increase of only 81 pupils IN
attendance, were S7S2.87 more than Tor the
corresponding term of last year; for the two
terms already completed, of this year, they
aggregate only S109 less than for the three
terms of last year.
! 7. The teachers have beer made punctual
and regular in their attendance at the teach-
ers' meetings.
8. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
10th, Dist and I'D January, a general exam,
nation of all the schools for the promotion
of pupils was held Pupils with partial
course and those who had recently entered
school were not examined. The questions
we're the same for all the schools as they we're
| furnished from the Office of the board.
The number examined was: In LIST grade,
! 9O8; in I'd grade, 898; in Sd grade, 1923;
in 4th grade, 592; in 9TH grade 296: The
number promoted was: From LIST grade, 100;
from I'd grade, 1872; from Sd day grade, 9S;
| from 4th grade, 81; from 9Th grade, Is.
The promotions are very few; but tins was
the first examination of the kind ever held IN
the county, and was intended more as hint
of future expectations than as proof OF
present fitness. The effect is found to be a
general awakening of teachers, pupils and
parents to school work, and a subsistence OF
! dissatisfaction on account of supposed pre-
vious injustice in graduation.
These changes, which are believed to be
substantial improvements, were unanimously
adopted by the school commissioners, who
are grateful for the cordial support their
efforts have received from an enlightened
public sentiment, from an honest and intelli-
gent public press, from many school trustees
and patrons, from majority of the teachers,
and from the people generally.
JAMES A. DIFFENBAUGH, Examiner