New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-10
DEFENDING "THE YOUNG IDEA.o

N,ree rr POW GIVES THE REASONS WHY SOME
.scuooL CHILDREN ARE BOUND TO MAKE
MISTAKES UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
70 IN, Edffor of The Trf6Wee.
Sir: letter published in The Tribune Of January
Z asks the autbor Of The Young Ideas II tho
examples given arc fair samples OF school work
~ thew IN any sense can DO considered as indces
of what teachers arc doing; II they arc not on
the contrary, the Urushes OF undeveoped hut
growing minds and the natural pensllps OF children
and in many cases the bunders Of stupid ounces
who rnless they can be born again OF better pa
rentage and under happier skies, viii always blunder"
~ the statements made by the teachers Offering
these examples can DO believed, Il IS that they are
not the crdities Of undoveoped minds, tho natural
pensllps of children tho plumbers OF stupid ounces
but in most cases the results OF tho practice almost
as universal as IL IS pernicious, OF teaching chill
dien words rather than ideas; OF tho com
mon examining process, so CHARACTERISTIC
OF our American haste and superhciaty; Of the ex-
animation of work which has been done in one-half
the time reasonably required for its performance, and
the promotion TO advanced classes-to make room for
those crowding into the lower gradeso pupils in no
wise fitted TO go up higher
II the absurtlIties OF The Young Idea7 but tho
blunders OF stupid ounces. who, like the poor, arc
always with u.s. then indeed there would DO nothing IN
the book 10 attract attention beyond the unconscious
humor OF tho ignorance which Is wise In IT'S own con-
celt. But H., according to the statements Of those
competent TO express opinion they 10 be traced
10 several other causes, their doplorlble frequency Is
certainly serious reflection upon s)mo parts OF our
common school system. Because blight and drOuth
and frcshet have spared the fields OF one man and
those Of all his neighbors, rendering their particular
crops satisfactory and abundant Il dos not necessarily
follow that the fields Of every farmer In equally
prosperous condition. The fact that I'm some srhoOs
such things as cramming,' per cent? machine teach-
Ing and yaTdstlck promotions arc unheard-of atFOcl
ties Is no proof that those things do uot exist IN less
favored localities That they do exist, aud 10 a
lamentabie .eNient, must DO sOrrOWfuuy conceded bv
every lover OF the schools That the system endurcs
iects simply attests tbs strength and vitality Of It's
it.is certainly true that our teachers arc as a
rule Ia advance OF boards OF education and st further
in advance Of public sentiment IN matters OF teachius
which Considers that II IS not Of much consequence
whether not the members OF board know any
OF tie first principles Of education. Persons who
would laugh al the appointment Of dry goods mer-
as individuals peculiarly suited % pronounce upon
the location, equipment aud workings OF our light
placing upon 81 educational board men who possess
little special fitness for Oyerseers OF our schools
the Nations most valuable huminators and .pso-
Teachers in general arc very far in advance Of
boards Of education, for they arc naturally supposed
10 know something Of their special work and province
yet the sad fact remains that Notwithstanding their
professional superiority, they arc 20 hanpeTcd by tho
ignorance. tho prejudice, the political chcanory OF
these boards that they arv compelled 70 work
Is mere machines, reslgnlng all hope Of freedom.
sitting ali originality and enthusiasm. carrying
out without protest requirements which they Snow
TO be opposed 10 all principles Of education or, a.
the only alternative presented make their Qulctus
with the rare bodkn OF a resignation. Doubtless
many teachers and superntendents will stand 9ghst
at tho revelations afforded by 49, The Young idea .
asking with wonder and energy rs striking a.
Macbeth's, II such things can DO. Other TEACHERS
abd Superlntcndcnts can tei them truthfully and
sOrowh1ly that such things are. The frse named
are be congratulated that these experiences have
not fallen their lot while they 10 DO reminded
OF the scriptura Injunction 20 remember those IN
bonds bound with them.' For tho second and
larger class there Is great encouragement In tho
signs OF the times. The spirit Of the ago Is deter
mined 10 prove all things, holding fast 10 that which
Is good II is Just at the present concerning Itself
largely with our public schools. What Is found
upon investigation 10 bo otherwise than good all
interested IN the sacred OF education wifi rejoice
10 SOC exposed and destroyed that thereby room
may be made for things. pure, lovely, and Of good
report CAROLINE b. LEROW
Brooklyn, Jan. "a 1850.