New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-09
THE TROUBLE IN TIE CITY SCHOOLS
PROFESSOR JEROME ALIENS VIEWS UPON ITe
SOURCES AND CORRECTION

NA-'D NOhh6CAAON
TO the EDITOR OF The Tribune.
Sir Much has been said recently in our city papers
concerning NewYork Schools and It Is evident that
most Of the trouble connected with them arises from
two sources:
/. An incorrect conception in the public mind Of
what education is, and
Q. A want Of business common sense in the manage
ment OF school affairs.
When a contractor undertakes to build house, he
first studies the plans and counts the cost and then
binds himself t. deliver the building according to the
specifications. As the work progresses IL IS under
general supervision and at certain stages OF the work.
provided what has been done IS satisfactory speched
sums paid. The contractor Is Independent in his
work. only bound TO present the building according TO
his contract No one directs whom no shall employ
or how much he shall pay for material labor. He
can make contracts with his men to work five or
twelve hours day, Just he can agree with them.
He is only held responsible for results and that the
work shall be accomplished within a specified time
Now for the application. To principal IS en-
trusted the care Of the school He is the contractor
All his assistant teachers should be nominated by him
self. II no Is able TO manage school he should be
trusted with the work, and his success measured py
results All Interference with him In reference 10
special plans should be considered mpertnence
HIS assistant teachers should learn TO look to him
and to him alone; but the whole should pass
under frequent review in a general way By the
city superintendent and his assistants. Teach
ing methods and plans belong TO the principal
and his assistants. Trustees may have place In
city system Of public instruction, but It IS not
their place TO interfere in any way with the methods
OF teaching, or with the appointing Of teachers.
If the Aldermen DO not direct the superintendent
Of the new aoueduct in reference to what men he
shall employ, and how much he shall pay, why
should trustees or the Board Of Education direct
principal as to what assistants he shall employ or
exactly how much or in what way no shall teach
We have many able principals in New-York city,
but they have all, in many ways been much hindered
by unwarranted interference.
Again, the Board OF Education should have nothing
to do with outlining the professional part Of school
work This should DO committed into the hands Of
educational experts and their decision should be
received with the highest degree Of respect As It
now is, eminent men from various walks Of life
called to administer public system Of education
concerning which they know very little, and es-
peciay dictate in reference 20 special professional
work. about which of them are entirely ignorant
IL We leave to doctors, lawyers and cergymen their
own special work, why should not tho Board OF
Education leave TO educational students that which
especially relates to the administration OF methods
and plans OF school administration This meddling
with things that are not understood has wrought
great mischief IN this world Of ours In many ways,
and Is bringing great injury to-day upon tho schools
in this city. The members Of the Board OF Educa-
ton, ladies and gentlemen, are held in the highest
esteem, but none Of them profess TO be educational
experts; .,.u,,
elaboration. School affairs in this city arc in
transition state. What IS done may remain for
then me next * n yea 5s e part Of v0 wdOP
certain 10 plunge the schools into greater difficulties,
and render the future work Of reform much more
difficult than IL IS at present. JEROME ALLEN
New. York Feb s.. 1882