New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-15
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PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NEW-foBh.
II is clear from the annual report OF Mr..
Draper, State Superintendent OF Puohc In
struction that our public schools are perform
ing great and benefcent work, and that
nevertheless they are not just what they ought
10 be- The great merit Of the report is that
it emphasizes both of these facts. 1t Is doc
ument Of much interest, and contains food for
reflection.
New-York spent something over Slb,696,-
600 to support her schools last year. This is
one of the greatest of the burdens that the tax
payers have to bear, but there is none which
they bear 80 cheerfully. Indeed, all OF them
who are not blind regard the money which they
nav out for schools as one of their best invest
ments. In his two preceding reports Mr.. Draper
called attention 10 the alarming fact that, COM
paratively speaking the attendance upon the
public schools is falling of. Again ne sounds
the alarm. 1.-THE total attendance upon the
schools" he now reports, when compared with
the whole number of children OF school age
has grown less and less with strange uniform
typ This condition Of things is an ilresist-
ble argument for the prompt passage OF
working compulsory education law to super
sede the useless one now on the statute BOOKS.
Certainly there is greater need for general
diffusion Of education In republic than in
government not "of the people" Yet the
duty Of compelling the attendance Of children
at school which Newly neglects is, as the
report shows, faithfully discharged by Ger
many. France and England. A compulsory
education act was fayorably reported to the
last Legislature. II may have been defective
in certain particulars, but it certainly was
vast improvement OH the old law. Still,
strange TO say, IL was allowed TO die in the
Committee OF the Whole. a few months ago
stin another bill was prepared by number
of trained and accomplished charlottesville
local school superintendents Of the State. This
bin. an abstract Of which was lately printed
in THE TRIBUNE, would seem well adapted TO
meet the evil in question-it would, in fact
compel children who are now growing up in
idleneSs In the streets to 90 to school. II Will
be public misfortune il some measure OF the
sort is not passed at the present session.
One of the most gratifying features OF the
report is tho evidence going to show that tho
schoo-teachers throughout New-York are adj
vancing in regard for their profession. The
curse Of schools ia spirtless, perfunctory teach
ing. Too many teachers look upon school
merely as a stepping-stone to law, medicine
or something else, and not as their life-work.
They teach accordingly in half-hearted way,
and it would be strange indeed II they inspired
their scholars with anything like passion for
learning. This being So the encomium which
Mr. Draper passes upon those whose work he Is
called upon TO supervise is full OF encourage
ment. Writing Of the results Of the year, he
says:
Teachers have been at work y never befo7e They
are advancing In technical knowledge they arc IN
vostgstng and improving in their methods OF teach
Ing; they are broadening In their knowledge OF Affairs
and in general culture they arc being put upon ther
own merits they arc seeing tho necessity OF progress
they arc beginning realize that tho most progressive
teachers will have preerment. and they arc sfng TOT
advancement and arc advancing Tho number OF
candidates in the annual State examination In August
was considerably than double what IL had been
at any previous examination. Tho normal schools
and training classes and institutes AFRO fuller ana
show more zeal and avdlty than ever oefore'
The Superintendent expresses the opinion
that the adoption Of the policy OF public exam
nations for teachers certificates has much to
do with the improved condition of things. In
order still further to improve the standing OF
the teachers he urges with much force the
passage Of law TO prevent their removal in
mid-term except for cause. He further recon-
mends that the management Of the training
classes for teachers should be transferred to his
department.
One used to hear good deal of the opposi-
ton to Normal Schools. Their critics have
not been heard from Of late, and 1t is reported
that these institutions without exception arc
Furnishing as never before" Last December
the Superintendent sent out circular inviting
q general discussion of the question, What shall
be done with the school Libraries throughout
the State? His own recommendation is that
a reasonable appropriation surrounded by the
proper safeguards be continued to be devoted
10 the organization and extension
Of such Libraries, and that provision be made
for organizing city and township library asso-
Citations. The matter is an important one and
like the rest Of the report is worthy OF the con-
sideration Of all who take an interest in our
school system.