New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-17
EDUCATIONAL REFORMS.
ANEW SYSTEM OF GRADING TEACHERS.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE PHEsEx5
METHOD OF EXAMINING Pulls.

by President Simmons of the standing committees
Tor the year number OF changes were made.
| Mrs. Powell, the new woman Commissioner re-
placed Mrs. Agnew on the Normal College Execil4
| tive Committee, and Mrs Dodge ON that of
! evening schools Mr.. Devoe, who was formerly
chairman OF the Committee on Buildings, takes
that chairmanship again. The other committees
have the following chairmen Finance, j. d.
Vermilye; Teachers, Charles L. Holt: Supplies.
Ferdinand fraud; Auditing, W. A. Cole; Sites
and New Schools, Robert NJ GsJlaway; Study
and School Books, / L. N. Hunt; Furniture.
D. NJ Purdy; Evening Schools De Witt j. Selig,
man; BYLAWS, Henry Schmitt Nautical School.
f. W. Devoe Library and Annual Report, Miles NJ
oBrlen; Trustees, X Gugge enheimer Normal Cox
lege K. M Gallaway College of the City of Nsw4
York, c. L. Holt
No less interest was felt in the report of the
committee of eight which was appointed TO i'm
vestigate and report the methods and study
in the public schools and to recommend auy
desirable changes The committee Is composed os
II. Walter Webb, W. A Cole, Henry L. Sprague.
Miles NJ O'Brien, Mrs. Mary Nash Agnew. Miss
Grace ii. Dodge, Robert NJ Galloway and Henry
Schmltt The chairman stated that this was
the nrst OF several reports which the committees
| intended making In the examination of the SUBJ
! Jecfs allotted to them This first report deals
especially with the examinations of children as
made by the superintendents and the marking
and grading Of teachers and principals Tho
evils in the school system the report considers
as the outgrowth and sequence of the MARKING
and examination methods employed in the vain
attempt to ascertain the true character of class
room work When this cause is removed it is
possible many of the evil results will disappear.
CoNDEMNING THE cRAMMrNG SYSTEM.
The report continues:
Throughout the system there are departments vh-rs
the independent and progressive spirit principal
seconded by able and broad minded teachers and adcd
by few OF the assistant superintendent has reduced
the evils complained OF minimum; I'm consequence
we nnd schools I'm the that are TO the methods
employed and results attained, fully abreast the times
and equal II not superior any this country This
however Is in spite OF and because sysssus
already referred TO. The city superintendent or his
assistants (oralIy ana in writine) the children
OF every class in every school once during the
year. "hen the examination Is to be made notice,
varying IN time from TO six Gays, Is 10 the
pnhrpa and teachers. Tho average time that the ex-
aminers spend with class does not exceed hair an
hour The main object Of the examination OF tho pupils
Is 70 grade and mark the teachers and 10 determine
with what degree Of the work s carried
on Marks given by the examiners 10 the eaehers
on each subject but the teachers informed whas
marks are awarded any provision made by which
snch information may be conveyed them The general
isuts are reported 10 the trustees respective
wards In which the teachers employed. how
such results are reached in what particular subject
class may have failed is silent The teachers
know that these marks on they receive any attention.
VIII form the basis which promotion or worthlnsss
for promotion, is TO be determined They know that I'm
case of Illness when 1t may be necessary To coma bfor,
the Board IL the marks belowa certain standard he
salary expected may be seriously diminished and that In
case Two marks OF 'fair' are awarded In succession
summons Will be received appear before COMMITTEES
Of this Board and charge Of inefsciency A. a
teacher At times, the young nervous or ineHaclens
'eaeher the examination is positive bugbear, and sa
examiner natural enemy and this estimate is speev
detected and shared in by the pupils
When is Ia remembered the system has been al,
minstered with roncad uniformity and at times with
severity. the results 10 produces surprise tbs
thoughtful observer. The system is now admins
tered and as it has been administered for years. an
inducement to ali teachers every energy to t
preparation OF the class expected and ofttims
dreaded examination. and this work OF instruction is a5
tmos carried on with total disregard OF advance
ment OF the children In knowledge character or mental
power It furnishes stimulus teacher to cram and
load the memory Of the pupil figures BE-
retained for time and then drawn the proper
moment by the expected and lookedfor question Ae.
curacy OF satemens and of counted
far beyond their value and among youngest
children ths memory is educational tool 70 .
degree that should not be tolerated the education
OF adults.
The plan recommended by the committee is ia
grade all teachers before June next into two
classes to be known as the maximum grade and
the standard grade. The first grade is TO include
all teachers who have taught in the schools Of
the city five Years or more. and others will be
classed Ill the second. Then the report saws:
This classification is to be made by the committee on
teachers the Education after comforting with
the City Superintendent who Is to prepare list Of the
teachers and their qualifications The principals unde,
whom teacher has served and the superntendens who
have examined her classes to confer and advise In
regard teachers record, work and efficiency In
making this classification.
DEFINING THE PROPOSED NEW GRADES.
The classes taught by teachers In the .. maxinurs
grade shall not be subjected regular class super-
vision and visitation from City superintendenrs
onice except when the principal OF school reports that
the instruction discipline OF such teacher is below
the standard required OF teacher the maximum,
grade" whenever from any cause It may be deemed
expedent the City Superintendent shall investigate
tho case and assign two OF his assistants and
examine such class and report II teacher requires
supervision and assistance On their report the City
Superintendent may. with the Of the prn.
cipal, transfer such teacher from the maximum
grade to the standard grade" And IL. in any such
case, the City Superintendent and the principal TO
agree the action that should taken the eass
shall be reported the committee on teachers
who shall investigate and determine transfer shs
be made
The principal each school in which teachers Of the
maximum grade" employed SHALL in tho months Of
November and May in year. make special re-
port TO the City superintendent regard such teachers
gVihg sueh lnomatoh as the city superintendent nay
ask for In order inform himself such teachers arc
qualified 20 remain In the :. maximum grade" II the In.
structon or discipline OF teacher Is injurious TO be
reported by the trustees assistant superintendent ths
superintendent who win report the committee to In
vestgate and report " the Board An inefficient principal
reported In the and in both
hcaion Of the charges the superintendent will taa
statutory recommendation for removal
The superintendent require monthly reports
his assistants school principals showing what aid
teachers have received. No marks be assigned
teachers classes in these reports but detailed
ment is 10 be made OF the work done methods and re-
suits The superintendent is to confer with the prinei.
pals each year TO ascertain what teachers TO be
the standard grade advanced the max
imum grades At least meetings year Of the
each school be held by supernten-
his assistants discuss and
struotioD and management II the superintendent and
his assistants do not the record Of principal
for i've 1t is to be reported the Committee ana
by 1t to the Board