St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-08
Whole No.

The number studying German is ISL.
There has been a great improvement in
many respects in this department during the
last half year. Mr.. Rink, superintendent of
German instruction, found the order and
discipline Of classes studying German OBJ
jectionable, and at once set to work TO have
change. He has now succeeded in secur-
ing IN the main what he desires. The so
called natural method which seems to be the
true Que for teaching a modern language he
IL satisfactorily introducing and teachers are
becoming thoroughly conversant with it. In
his semi-anuual report just made. Mr.. Rink
recommends that owing to lack Of uniformity
Of grading in German in the several schools
that pupils, who failed to make the required
rank IN German in the recent examinations,
be allowed 10 advance, the fault being largely
one Of circumstances as stated above, and
not due to negligence of pupils
Criticisms Of public schools and the methods
employed in them are at all times In order
The schools are public, and should be respon-
siyc 10 public demands. Moreover the mag
niiude Of the interests involved-no less
than the training of a generation for useful
ness, during period which for that genera
ton can never return requires the proper
improvement Of every opportunity by those
10 whom these interests have been intrustcd
Criticism should therefore be courted, and
all suggestions in regard 20 the improvement
Of courses Of study aud educational methods
should receive careful consideration. At the
same time mere general statements that ''the
public school system is as great sur o.. as
could Doe DEVISED based on insufficient oh
servatlon and without specifications rs to
particulars in which Il Is in fault, scarcely
call for defense of that which has become
80 thoroughly a feature Of our civilization
Il has been said that good grumble "a 4
pleasure 10 most of us, and IL seems to be
fact that TO an American a grumble against
the public schools Is the sweetest luxury.
Thus We have criticism from friends who
would improve our system OF public educa-
ton aud IRON enemies who would destrov Il.
IL is no doubt true that for special
kinds Of training the public schools
dc not afford the opportunities that are offered
BY schools with a single aim, or by private
course with some gifted teacher. This is a.
It should be. Our educational work is gen
eval. IL aims % furnish the masses with
that which is necdiul for the discharge Of the
duties ot citizenship. To 1T students most
quickly and most thoroughly for college. is
20; except incidentally our aim. Neither
tan toe public schools do the work Of the
are desirable, but they can only DC obtained
under regime Of model churches, model
society, and model homes To Characterize
Tue public schools as failure because they
have not reached their maximum OF useful.
uess,or have not done the work that properly
belongs % another agency, is % fan % rec
ogniEe The most potent means that has vet
beer found 10 cope with ill,tcracy Ne.ther
b.
rombiBed, could DO what must be done for
ihc education OF our youth, II our country Is
20 b prosperous. aud our civilization pro-
grCssise.
L has lately been said that the prevailing
public school methods waste tame. that teach
ers DO all the work. snd TIA. pupils are not
tsuSat % study, tbat the Nnderrarten
ysteUs has bcsR carried through oar
vso.e course OF sta1v 40 % the high school.
In answer % these exceedingly general
chargrs desire vita your permission to give
IN successive reports Tor the next few
months, TIE aims % the instruction in our
schools in TIE several branches OF study. that
they nav Dc considered w:th reference 70
changes, slo0ld such be deemed advisable.
10 rvgard 10 the progress Of pupils il nav BE-
said tina. the Board has provided that pupils
may De promoted az any time by tie p-suci-
pals Of tie schools, such promotions being
based upon TIC pupii's evident ability 70 do
TIE wcrS II tae next higher grade In the
lover grades classes are promoted stAav time
Whenever they are ready to enter upSa the
wo-S Of the next grade. The Old CON piafnt
tast pupils mus, vsit uatu 4 set time Tor ex-
summation. aud THAI bright children were
con pclied 30 accommodate themselves 70 the
pacc q the stupid, Is not Just enc with rs.
kveTy p1pi. githout regard % class OF time
Tor examination, can be promoted Whenever
be shows atasss 10 do hiEaer work Tat
tais nay Be done more easily Il ts arranged
taas classes shah be. IN their wurS. b1i