The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-16
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Synopsis Of Superintendent An.
derson's Report.
I'm Entire Change in the Present School Law
Is Recommended-Th School Funds Are
lmprcvidently Spent.


honorable position which they have at
tanned in the estimation of our people. The
teachers have been faithful to the important
trusts commi tied to their keeping, and their
zeal and fidelity have enabled the pupils TO
make very comne8dable progress in all
work prosecuted in the schools"
Commenting on the fact that no material
changes have been made in the department.
the Superintendent gays this is wise. Too
often Boards of Edl cation or Superintend-
ents Institute changes before time has been
afforded to test the virtue of the methods
already in use; and frequent changes at
best are detrimental to the whole system
and diScouraging to both teacher and pupil.
Only such changes should be made as viii
euaGe the schools to keep pace with the
times and the advanced ideas resulting from
Il more extended knowledge Of the methods
OF instruction. In all respects the public
schools Of San Francisco are abreast with
the times.
Indeed. the Superintendent is inclined TO
think they are, if any thing, III the lead, and
trying to do TOO much. That is the only
tault that can be found with the schools--the
fact that their courses include more work
than can well be done in the time allotted.
There Is a tendency" he says, TO ignore
the principle of much, not many and to
in versatility at the expense of radical
the complaint that the courses OF study en-
brace more than Can DC rightly accomplished
within the time.
MORE OF THE ECLECTIC.
Another evil exists in our schools. 1t is
the compelling Of pupils to prosecute all the
studies prescribed in the course, whether
Sueh pupil possesses any natural apti-
tide for the particular study or
not. l think there should be more
OF the eclectic in our schools"
Many, he adds, have not the time to take
full course, others have not the ability
such should be allowed TO select, under the
guidance OF teachers and parents, to fit them
as tAeir position in life demands II the
time which some pupils spehf with nom
essential studies were devoted TO the essen
tiRlS, both pupils and schools would be beue-
fted.
The system of promotion and era duation
adopted in 1887 has proved complete success
and written examination should be forever
GuJe away with. The latter system is char
acttrized by the Superintendent as relic of
dark age and Should never again be dragged
-Gut If the shades TO which it has properly
been consigned. The teacher who cannot
tell where pupil belongs has studied the
class to very little advantage-in fact, has
mistaken her calling.
But the reforms should 60 further he
suggests. Teachers should be so familiar
with the exact capabilities OF pupils as to
be able to tell at any time, without recourse
he properly belongs Such teacher is
great success as an educator.
Lack of necessary school supplies, and of
proper school accommodations, the Superin-
tendent regards as a great Stumbling block
10 our school system. The Board of Super
vis0Ts is not charged with this lack, how
ever. Much of it." he says, "arises from
the injudiclous expenditure of that which
is supplied by the board Ii Boards of EGu-
cation were as judcious and careful in the
of aS
be in their OVID, this department would not
be III the condition 1t Is.
ECONOMY NOT CONSULTED.
Economy is not consulted as il should be.
Supplies are not wisely purchased; teachers
and other employees are not judiciousiy en-
Floyed. The schools also lacking in
maps, charts and other necessary apparatus.
I he libraries of the Grammar and High
schools are without the necessary books Of
reference. The fund provided by law for
that purpose has never been SO applied.
The funds for the department have never
been distributed as the law contemplates.
p kOrincipaSrare permitted to make requi-
-. WishFtI regard to the number of
children in keyir schools, as the law in
tended. In faerr. there is no system in the
procuring of supplies.
The lack of room is due largely to the
change Of the population, and yet the IN
crease Of room has not kept pace with the
growing population. The natural increase
for the increase every year of not less than
twelve class-rooms. The number Of pupils
in many primary grades is far in excess of
what it should be. Forty is as many as any
teacher should be required to teach, and yet
many have twice that number.
The change OF population from the denser
centers downtown to the outer districts,
such as the Mission, Western Addition,
Potrero and South San Francisco, has
greatly oyercrowded the outer districts,
"a 10 do Mt * n
The wants of the growing districts cannot
be Supplied, however, as long as the Board
of Supervisors refuses to make the necessary
appropriations 'SchO0l-h0uses and school
appliances cannot be furnished without
money" pertinently suggests the Superln-
tendent.
BUILDINGS NOT IN KEEPING.
The school buildings of San Francisco are
not IN keeping with her character u other
respects, nor will they be until the people
are led to see the necessity for more and
better structures, and ara educated to
greater degree Of pride in the matter OF pub
lie education" Mr.. Anderson is of the
opinion that the amount 10 be raised for
the new Girls High School. S105,O5O, Is not
what it should be, and yet it Will provide
building much ahead OF anything now In the
dlDartment.
He says that there was serious criticism
of and grave doubts expressed about the
correctness of tn e Tetaken school census Of
1855 The two taken since then have con-
tirmed its correctness There are now 6l,-
l44 census Children on record between the
ages of 3 and II, which he believes Is as
near accurate as it is possible to get. The
school census this year was taken with great
care and the figures recorded will make 1t
impossible for serious frauds to be perpe-
trated i'll future years. at least for several
years.
schools that pupils from distance crowd
out pupils VINO reside near certain
schools This is an evil, the blame OF
which must rest on the parents, as
the Board of Education or the Superin-
t4ndent are not able to remedy it.
The only remedy is to have the city
dstricted. Children, like animals, are
gregarious, and like to 90 where there IS the
greatest number. The Superintendent says
there is very little difference IN the char
actero Of the schools, and if the patrons in the
business portions Of the city would show
more regard for the rights OF their neigh6ors
by sending their children to the nearest
schools much of the crow ed condition COM
planned of would be avoided.
THE LAW NEEDS REVISION.
'"The entire law governing the Board Of
Education needs revision. Indeed, there Is
Imperative need for a new law, for doubt
if the present law can be so changed as to
effect any material benefit Under the pres
ent law twelve men are simultaneously
elected for a period of two years. The result
the regime of the schools retire from the
board and twelve men unacquanted with
the character and wants of the schools are
INTRODUCED. This is crying evil.
Under the present law men are chosen
who know but little about schools and their
needs. This plan has brought the school
into politics. great evil. Too often the
position is sought for its political prefer
inent, and it nearly always leads to abuse
by causing the members of the board to look
more to their own interests than to the vel
fare Of the school. Under the present con-
stituti0n Of the board the Superintendent IS
mere ligurehead. He is member Of the
board without any of its privileges. How
ever thoroughly acquainted he may be with
all the interests Of the department, lie is
powerless 10 do anything.
THE Chairman OF the Committee on Clas-
sifcation is practically the Superintendent
l might almost say that such chairman. for
most purposes, is the board. The Superin-
fendent is seldom if ever consulted in ref
erence to any matters, and generally his