Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-09-11
OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
CLASSIFICATION RECORDS AND GRADUATION
OF OUR COUNTY SCHOOLS.

Metamora, Mich, Sept. Z, 1891.
Editor Of the EgpOsitor:
In our work as teachers in the schools
of the county, during the years of our
experience, we cannot but notice the
important epoch in the history of these
schools marked by the last two years.
Its Importance is readily seen by all
who are acquainted with the manner
in which school work was performed
before this period, and with the present
system.
Such a system did not spring up
spontaneously, but is the result of a
great work. The work of man who
was a model teacher in every branch of
study. One to whom all could apply
and gain knowledge. One who had
the bests interests of the schools, the
school girl and the school boy at heart.
One who understood fully the system
he was striving TO develop, and was
not only among the first to adopt the
measures of gradation put forth by the
state, but introduced more complete
plans of his own, which are now sup
ported by the State Department.
Added TO his educational knowledge
was the professional knowledge, "How
to teachn As to his executive ability,
just examine the many school houses
throughout the county-with perfect
systems of ventilation and abundarfce
of light from proper directions-built
under his supervision, besides the emil
nent success which attended his whole
work of county superintendent, and
be convinced.
Without fear of successful contradic-
ton, would say that from five to ten
weeks school was required varying
with size of schooD under the old man.
ner of procedure, before teachers were
sufficiently acquainted with ability of
the pupils and their requirements, to
properly assign lessons for study.
Look at the waste of time for both
teacher and pupilsl and "time Is mon
ey." Who was to blame? The teachers
did their best; the pupils tried to do
better. But they all lacked founda-
ton to work from.
The present system supplied that
foundation. 1t is in the permanent
Classification Register and Reports.
By these each pupil has an exact and
permanent record of their work done
in school. The parents have full re-
ports every term. The school officers
are enabled to see plainly the efficien-
cy of the teacher. The next teacher
finds everything in order, each grade
for the coming year is displayed in the
Register, and the Course of Study
shows plainly the work to be done. In
few moments perusal of the Classifi-
cation Register the teacher discovers
who most need their help. A program
can be made permanent in a few days,
and all work together in unity, feeling
confident that they are learning some
thing, that there is need of study, an
object in life to attain.
Some one says, GA great saving"
Yes, most truly so. On the part of the
pupil, a great saving of time, saving
from Encouragement, saving to life
of noble manhood and womanhood
as education alone can give.
For the parent, n saving from con-
| flicting opinions with the teacher, a saw
ing of their money, a saving of their
mind from the anxiety incident to gov
erning child who has lost interest IN
acquiring knowledge.
For the teacher, u saving of all their
resources for teaching good and sue
cessful school.
And this the result of two years
WORK by our county superintendent.
van DOlllb w a.
ant advance, one of more benefit to
the schools, and thus to the county at
large, in any like period of time?
OF course the Board of Supervisors
elected this man again to the office?
Well, they didn't,
We are not all acquainted with the
soon to be-county commissioner, but
surely, oh surely, the Supervisors
would not descend low enough to elect
man for political reasons onlyl Sure
ly they would not insult the manhood
of the intelligent voters of st. Clair
county by electing man who lacked
any of the noble qualities of his prede-
cessor. So let us hope that our new
commissioner will take hold of the
good work energetically as a master
hand, and aided by other members of
the board, working as every true teach
er does-for the benefit and advance
ment of the pupil in every way-and
not to simply put in their time.
Let us hope that they will follow the
principles of their able predecessors,
and reinforce the already efficient
corps of teachers in the county, by
supporting the ground: To be sue
cessful teacher, one must make it their
life work.
III. l.. HOLMES.