New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-25
CHANGED SCHOOL METHODS
WHAT THE NEW PLAN WILL ACCOMPLISH.
MIR. JAsPER's OPINION ON THE DEFECTS OF THE
WHOLE sYsTEM-oTHER REFORMS
PROPOSED.


PROPOSED.
Teachers in the public schools are anticipating.
with some anxiety the operation OF the changes In
the bylaws recently adopted by the Board Of Edu-
cation While there several minor notifications
that which will affect them most is the new classi-
hcauon AL who have been teaching for less than
FIVE years VIII be subject heretofore, to the yearly
examination Of their classes by the superintendent;
but teachers who have passed that period will DO
graded in the several studies which each has taught
according to their standing during the last five years
The classes of those who have ranked tho highest
viii be exempt from year TO year from the exam-
nations, at tho discretion Of the City superintendent
Before Juno 1 the Committee Teachers is to
designate those who are FREQ from such supervision,
and with the superintendent and his stall formulate
rules for the guidance Of these teachers This list
Is prepared by the superintendent from the rccoTs
of tho teachers and from opinions Of the principal
under whom each has taught In addition 10
all notes, records and marks, the personal knowiengo
Of the officials Is 10 be taken into consideration, IN
order that ell the qualifications Of tho teacher may
have proper influence. That ono has received the
highest mark, excellent for five years, will not
of itself be tho only consideration, II ono has
not always obtained that mark VIII he necessarily
be placed in the non-exempt class. This list, when
IL has been approved by the Committee on Teachers
Will only be known to the committee and the super
intendentS
The City Superintendent. his assistants. are re-
quIred to visit every school less than year
10 aid the nOn-exempt teachers 10 render any as
sstanco or give suggestions to those who may DO
exempt No marks to be assigned, but statement
win be made of each class and that placed record
for the Superintendent and the Committee on
Teachers. when the principal OF school reports
that tho instruction or discipline OF teacher IS unsas-
factory, or when from any cause the Superintendent
may deem t expedient he can investigate the case
and ascertain IL The TEACHER requires tho regular
supervision and assistance. On such investigation
tho City superintendent may, with the o.
the Committee on Teachers, determine whether such
teacher shall therefore, be subjected to the regular
supervision.
II board Of trustees, assistant superintendent,
or the principal of any school reports that tho In
structon or discipline of teacher I'm such school Is
detrimental injurious to class school, and that
further supervision and visitation useless the super
ntendent Is Immediately to Investigate and report the
case 10 the committee, and II II finds the complaint
sustained the teacher Is reported 20 the Board for
al. In the same manner complaints against
principal made by a commissioner, trustee, super
intcndent are 10 be Investigated and reported on.
The principals OF the schools to assemble In con
yenient groups from time 20 time by the direction Of
the SUPERINTENDENT for conference or advice with him
or his assistants and the teachers hold meetings
of the same character and for tho purpose. At
such tInes the schools In which the teachers who
attend the meetings 20 DO dismissed an hour
earlier Methods OF instruction 10 be discussed at
these meetings, and teachers and principals Will DO
required TO attend at least two Of them each school
year.
a am not opposed to an advance In school methods
because It win make a change Mr.. Jasper sald
Notwithstanding the frequent statements that have
been made 10 that effect. IL u easy 10 E1ggest
changes but quite another thing 10 adopt them In
system where general change may effect revolution.
and an expense which viii soon run up into hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars. Mere experiments cannot Do
made general until their result has been ascertalncd
"what do you think OF ITO criticisms that The
New-Yor schools inferior 10 those OF other cities
IN the country" the reporter continued.
al am not OF ali IN sympathy with such assor-
tionsS said Mr.. Jasper. "we have body Just
good teachers other cities. We have just as good
schools and Jus. good q systom. When say this
I do not mean that all Is perfect There is always
roOn. for Improvement Changes have been made
continually II we behind IN one two features
e does not follow at the system Is bad, but that
those features should DO corrected Tho changes
can only be made slowly In SO great system, AZ
fccting It does 100000 pupils II is great deal
better be slow than hasfy, and those who crclse
do not consider this. They arc as q rulo persons
who arc not familiar with Tie workings Of our
schools.
cRITIcIsING A MEMORIAL.
al may instance hero the memorial Of the Public
Education Society, and do not erticss its purpose.
Anything which Interests tho thoughtful public IN
schools Is Of value 10 tho schools Much Is
given in their paper that worthy Of careful consd
Grafton But am surprised when man OF such
worldwide reputation an educationalist as
Professor Newborry gives tho weight OF his to a
document which eritIclses the system, and uses for
argument so many unfair and glazing misstatements
OF fact this paper contains. 10 cannot have
6iyon 1t the same attention which he gives 20 his
own studies. We're / guilty Of half the errors which
this memorial makes, and which IT had every oppor-
tunity TO correct, should not deserve TO hold my
position another day. II attacks over-crowding IN
the public schools and gives figures. Yet II does not
give the reason Of such ovcrcrowding. II does not
say that this Is thing Of &c past But Il might
have been ascertainod at my Office before tho paper
was written that the Board had directed the strictest
enforcement OF the bylaw 10 prevent over-crowdng,
and that to-day this is reduced 10 a minimum In the
schools. Their figures arc obsolete, yet they arc
presented as facts Their st.tements as 10 tho 70
mova Of teachers and OF tho duties Of trustees are
entirely at variance with the facts
The memorial attacks the arbitrary rules OF
tho 'Teachors' Manual as dpriyng tho teachers
Of discretionary powers and ado that It might DO
fnl II II could DO taken asuggetion. Now the main
purpose Of the Manual is TO ~ suggestive and this
fact could DO and read n plain type fpm tho
beginning 30 the end Of II.
NOT wIIFUL MEASUREMENTS.
These features mention because such statements
coming from those who arc believed 20 be well IN
formed misleading TO the public and damage tho
reputation Of the SCHOOLS quite much as the real
evils which doplorcd do not suppose they are
wilful mdsstatements, but hey none the less rep
rehensible. The schools lave been ovcrcrowied be-
cause tho Board hesitated enforce the law which
should loep children out New schools have not
been built, older schools hge got out OF repair, not
from tho fault Of the Bosd OF Education, but be- |
cause the city government TO several administrations
modations or 10 defray tho Necessary expenses for the
current wear and tear on tbse old buildings. For |
nearly four years almost noting done TO meet |
the needs Of the schools thre no money. Is |
It wonder then, that there lhould DO complaints OF
a lack OF school accommodation, Of worn-out pipes |
and buildings of bad sanity c0nditionsf These |
things are known 10 tho Boar and 10 all who know |
public school affairs. Since Mayor Hewitts term be,