The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-16
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tos distinguished in special branches be
obtained
The work in the grammar schools is well
done. The appointment Of an inspector Tor
the country schools has relieved the super
intendent Of their supervision. These schools
are under good discipline and ms ructloD.
The superintendent also dwe.ls at some
length upon the method Of appointment
and promotion of teachers by examination.
and upon the salary question.
THE SPRING EXHIBITION DAY.
The expediency of doing away with the
annual oral examinations usually held on
the last Friday in April, is a special
feature of the report which
the board will take under consideration.
The OBJ ject of the oral examination is 70 fur
nish parents and patrons Of the schools a
special opportunity Of learning something
of the methods Of instruction and disci-
pline. Whether this is accomplished TO any
great extent the supe iutendent thinks Is
very doubtful. 1t has been for some
time here the opinion OF the
wiSest teachers that the examination
is an INJURY rather than benefit 20
the schools. While the original purpose OF
il may have been TO acquaint the public
with the actual progress made by the
pupils il Is quite certain that majority go
away without any knowledge of what has
been accomplished. What was originally
intended to be an examination has degen-
Grated into mere public show, ana that
too without any fault on the part OF the
teachers. The people who visit the schools
ON the DAYS of the oral examinations evil
IDENTIFY take no pleasure in the dry details OF
examination exercises.
THE OBJECT LOST SIGHT OF.
The teacher who wishes to make fair
presentation OF the work Of his class during
the term finds that he has no auditors, while
in the adjacent class, where some exercise in
the nature of dialogue or recitation is
going on, there is scarcely stand
ing room. This fact indicates a de-
sire on the part Of the public for an
exhibition rather than for an examination.
Such being the case the superintendent sug-
gests that it is a waste of time to spend an
entire month in review work as a prepara-
tion for the examination, when the time
could be more probably employed in tax
ing up advanced work. The superintend-
ent recommends that in lieu. of the oral
examination which is In reality a public
exhibition day, the last week of the spring
term be set apart as visiting week. when all
who desire to do so may visit
the ,hools and witness the ordinary work.
A much better idea can then be formed Of
what is done by both teachers and pupils
II it is desired, the entire last day Of visit
ing week might be devoted to exhibition
work.
THE METHODS OF DISCIPLINE.
The superintendent says, upon the subject
of discipline: 1.-THE rule prohibiting cor
poral punishment is still In force, and, while
there is not perfect unanmity among the
teachers as to its wisdom and policy. l do
not believe there are many who would well
come back the re-estab ishment Of the old
system. The advocates of this kind of pun
ishment, as an incentive to duty and study,
are lessening every year, and, in
many Of the largest systems
of education, it is prohibited.
There is very little difficulty In
maintaining proper discipline in the class
room, except in the case of the young
teacher who is without experience. Moral
suasion, which appeals to the highest mo-
tives for the regulation of conduct and tact
in interesting pupils in their work, which
power, IL Is both to the interest and duty of
the teacher to acquire, must reduce to a
minimum difficulties in school management.
There will be, under any system of dis
cipliue, pupils who may be termed incorrigi-
bles. Those are the cases which battle the
skill and tax the patience Of teachers. What
40 do with them is yet an unsolved problem"