New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-20
TEACHERS SUGGESTIONS.
CHANGES IN SCHOOL METHODS.
a PETITION TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
PROPOSING A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS.

A
PROPOSING A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS
Tia teachers OF the female grammar and primary
ehools Of the city yesterday adopted petition TO the
poard OF Education on the proposed changes in school
methods. 1t condemns the grading OF teachers INTO
two classes, bat makes suggestions as TO change In
tho present system OF examinations The petition Is
signed by Amelia Kiersted. Nellie Ford, a. Louise
Ciawson. Mary Z. Tate. Kate p. Browne. Hester a.
Roberts, Annie L, whyte and Joanna j. Hill. Copies
were sent last evening to members of the board and
the petition VIII be read at the meeting to-day 1t
Is follows:
Az meeting in which female principals Of and
primary departments largely represented, 1t
unanimously decided to present to your honorable body
the following views upon the proposed changes IN the
bylaws the result Of their united experience:
l. While not holding the opinion that any change in
school system is be deprecated the female princi
pals feel that the change proposed by the Committee Of
Eight would DO nIudicious one, and would be deri
mental interests Of teachers and principals
Q The classification proposed, any public classical
tfon would make invidious discrimination among the
teachers and departments and would work inuriousy
many faithful teachers OF average ability thus
Disseminated against would be embarrassed in their work
by the presumption Of inferority and by the diff
fcutes growing Of IT, Many such teachers IL not
placed under this BAN aud given the opportunity
for improvement favored sisters
enjoyed under the present system. would eventually
come to rank with the best No policy employed by
principal superintendent for the purpose Of
binding parents pupils to such discrimination against
certain teachers, would be OF any avail
8. Again, such classification would be very difficult
There would be large class teacherfahfu earnest
and intelligent 1t would be unwise to place
the exempt list whom it would degrade to CLASSIFY
otherwise Even the very best teachers may be weak In
some subject rendering t desirable that they
should be left without wise supervision not only from
principals but also from superintcndents-
A. Such classification would make it possible for
principal disposed to be unduy and exactng, 70
If ctCfon Nrhn milo
acceptable or principal might in order TO secure the
highest classification for his her department or
for some other reason be instrumental In causing the
removal OF the teacher.
g. Parents not fully eomprehending the classification,
and simply conceivng idea that the examination by
superintendent indicates unsuccessful teacher would be
apt 70 oyeresmate exempt teacher and underestimate
the other insisting in many cases upon the removal oil
their children Of the exempt teacher Another
possible would be that when parents complain to us
tees the teacher in the non-excnpt class would be OF
disadvantage compared with one Of the exemps ana
would be liable unjust censure and perhaps 70 re
moval.
O. An unfaithui assistant Right attribute her lack
Of success to the principal alleging neglect on the part oil
the latter 70 give needed asstano some other reason
born Of disappointment might be sfgsd opening the way
for endless discor possible oensue or removal OF
the principal. =,
T. The minutIae Of detail required Of principals IN
their monthly reports with respect to their weak tescners
would operate q cheek upon that sponanety ana h'e
h case. ana they would also occupy time which could
be much better employed supervising the work OF the
department. - ,Ao,x
rAcatOn at the provision made by the committee ior
r,ur,ties ~ conference for themselves ana their as
ssstants with the superntendents, believing that wiz
be an added source OF beneat TO teachers 70 tAef oS
ana the system.
o. They would likewise suggest that, In lieu OF tne
proposed classification examinations either Of an ennre
department Of any class, or OF one or more slu'es ~ Wy
class nay at the discretion Of the city superintendent DC
omitted; not 70 extend over period oI
consecutive years. For the proteeuoh OF
the oeacher record Of tho Of such omission should
be kept No teacher for the first time in grace shouo
be thus exempted No notification Of INTENDED exalnina
ton should be given
10 They would also suggest that there should be no
omission examinations of classes OF those teachers Just
entering the profession during the first five years and
that such teachers should be supervised assisted and In
structed by the superintendents heretofore
1t Is expected that some definite action VIII be
taken at today's meeting the report Of the Com
mtee of Eight and the committee felt confident yes
terdsy Il the report it now stands would be
adopted some Of the members did not believe 1t
could be adopted without further modlcstions In re
card to the grading Of teachers. while Others thought
hat the suggestion made by the teachers VIII meet all
4 ohtecslons a plan was also mentioned which pro
reserred TO q COMMITTEES of experts; this committee
10 consist OF General Alexander 3 Wepo; pfeSoenI oI
he Cnllege OF the City OF New-York; President
Thomas Hunter of the Normal College, ana Clty
In reference to such conmi'ee lnAe no th"usne INC
etor finn a good