Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-17

Gen. Birney's Program.

The reform resolutions introduced in the school
important character, and are likely to be so much
discussed, that the public win doubtless like to
their full text, as given below:
Whereas, the 'day programs furnished to the
teachers for their guidance provide for weekly exam
nations as follows: In the 5th grade one or more in
the 9Th grade, one in the 9TH and 9Th grades, two
respectively; making from forty to about eighty
examinations yearly according to the grade; and
whereas, said examinations are written and fix the
Stapding of each pupil by percentages" thus ect-
ing as q constant slim uuS the few and discourage
1nent TO the many with injury to the health of all
except the most robust ana whereas. none OF these
weekly percentage, written examinations are au-
thOrlZed Dy any rule OF this board; and whereas,
each pupil in the Gth aud 9Th grade is required to
furnish. each month in said examinations, and In
composition and spelling exercises, at least twenty
pages or written matter amounting for a school
Vi MY pupils, 10 about one thousand pages
month, or nine or ten Thousand year: and
whereas, by misapprehension OF the rules OF this
board, many teachers regard ii as duty to be per-
FORMED outside o. school hours TO examine critic
ally every word OF this immense mass OF writing
and uterine corrections therein-a dreary and
most repugnant drIdgpry-whfch cOmpeiS them
often TO burn the midnight lamp, impairs Their
health, robs Them OF tteir elasticity and lessons
lnelr teaching power, while the corrections so la
botlousy made are hardly glanced at by the pupils
therefore,
Resofred, /. That said weekly examinations and
percentage ratings in tue 18th. 9th eth and 9Th
grades Shall be discontinued forthwith. g That
compositions and written spelling exercises shall
oe distributed among classmates for criticism, and
the teachers duty in regard to them shall be linn
lted TO hearing criticisms and making remarks
thereon 10 the class B. That the work required of
teacher out OF school hours embraces records re-
ports and prepare ton for giving lessons. and it
snail not be increased without the express order Of
this board.
whereas, the pupils Of the 1st grade, being
mostly children OF the tender age of six and seven
are Taught il twelve different subjects the pupils
OF higher grades to the 7th inclusive, are
t;tuSht the same or a still larger number, aid
those or the 9Th grade are examined for percentages
In eighteen different studies; and whereas such
multiplicity OF STUDIES is unfayorable to thorough
education EN- barraSSing TO teachers and causes q
most Injurious strain upon the nervous system Of
AMBITIOUS pupils, especially upon that OF girls
therefore
ReSotred. l. That the number OF studies in each
OF the eight lower grades should be greatly
lesSened. 2. That the studies or music by note and
OF PraHg Co.'S drawing books shall not be taught
Ia any grade lower than the Btu. 3. That each
superintendent and supervising principal Is hereby
directed 10 report, in writing to this board, at its
next meeting, what studies ought, in his opinion,
10 oe dropped from the course prescribed for the
eight lower grades.