The Somerset reporter., 1890-08-14
A Sta ndard for the Enforcement OF
! ZEN perdnce EDUCATION Law

! Minimum Of time The pursuit of
me study OF Physiological Temperance
~ AL pupils in all schools as the law
demands, requires at least three lessons
per week for fourteen weeks Of each
school year below the second year of the
| High School. After an ADEQUATE and
we'll graded portion Of the topic assigned
for this time is thoroughly learned, the
subject may then be dropped for the re-
uaiDder of that year. The following
year little more advanced treatment OF
the subject should be pursued for the
same length of time. Allowing twenty
minutes 10 lesson for all grades above
the Primary. this requirement would T.
mount TO only fourteen hours per year !;
out II carried through the several years
between the Primary and the second year
81 the High School, would give sufficient
lime Tor thorough comprehension Of
the subject without eucroaching upon
other studies
nree lessons per week for fourteen
weeks is specified, instead of one leason
per week Tor forty weeks, or two lessons
per week Tor twenty -one weeks, because
when the lessons come fart er apart the
pupils forget the last before they reach
me next; the subject as q whole does not
become SO readily part Of the intelh-
gence; more time has TO be taken In re-
viewing the last lesson before taking up
ne new the pupils interest Is not 80 well
sustained, nor proficiency SO easily acquir-
ed, as when the lessons are given in clos
er succession.
2. Necessary Means for the fulallmeut
Of the Law: well-sraded textbooks on
Physiology and Hygiene that contain al
so the special" facts concerning the
nature and effects Of alcoholic drinks.
tobacco, and other narcotics, that the
aw requires taught THESE facts can
not be treated in less than one quarter of
the space given TO the Physiology and
Hygiene appropriate for Primary and In
t@rmedlate Grades, or less than twenty
pages OF the ordinary High School book.
These books should be as we'll graded to
the capacities Of pupils as modern school
readers are.
}. Necessary Method Textbooks in
the hands Of pupils who use textbooks
IN studying such other branches As Arith-
metic or Geogoaphy, and oral Instruction.
DOT less than three times per week, for
those not sufficiently advanced 70 use
textbooks.
without well-authenticated textbooks
n the hands Of pupils. error is as liable to
De taught as truth, for teachers have
rarely received even brief course OF in
structlon IN the subject, and their know
ledge OF the same is therefore made up Of
As much folklore as fact Much time Is
also liable TO be wasted over matters that
are entirely Irrelevant, such as the legal
Or political phases of the temperance
question. Whenever the textbook Is not
followed.
4. Examinations or Tests: As thorough
examinations or tests should be required
this study as in other branches the
same marking system should be used,
and such marks should en- er into the
general average which decides the rank
If the pupil.
Teachers will be more thorough In
teaching a subject in which the pupils.
and hence their faithfu'ness In teaching
1t, are to be put to test. The pupils
VIII also study subject more faithfully
when they know that their standing or
promotion depends upon their ability to
pass an examination.
The shove Standard of RECRUITMENT for
ne enforcement Of Temperance Educa
ZION Law Is both fair aud just Anything
iess would not represent the spirit and
'etter of this legislation, and would not
De pursuit of the subject "as q regular
oranch' by all pupils in all schools" a.
The laws of our State demand
n. A. LUCE.
Supt, Common Schools of Maine