Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-24

am.nations-How Prom otions Are Made
in Sister Cities-No Immediate Change
Educational Gossip.
Examination or no examination is now
the great question at issue for the Pittsburg
schools The Central Board of Education,
with the pupils health as the pivotal point,
thought that there should be a change from
the present taxing system of having pupils
stand an examination for admittance to
High School and accordingly commit
tee was appointed to consider the
necessity for change in the method of de-
termining the fitness of pupils for admission
to High School as well as promotion from
grade to grade. This committee organized
with DR.. w. d. Kearns as Chairman, and
Charles Reistar, Secretary. A circular en-
bodying the following was at once sent to
the superintendents of the principal cities
to find out the methods in vogue in them:
1. Are your schools governed by general
board, by a local or by both?
2. Are promotions to the High School
made on special examination, on previous
class record, on the Judgment of the teacher,
or combination of these plans7
8. What is the plan of promotion from
grade to grade in the High School?
1t also embodied questions relating to
this important subject.
How 1t Is Done in Other Cities.
A great many answers have been received
and Friday the committee met to hear how
examinations are conducted in other cities.
In Philadelphia promotions to the High
School are made on a special e1-
animation of the grammar school pupils
and from grade to grade in the High
School, promotions are made by exami-
nation. The superintendent of this city
thinks that the proper basis for promotion
in any and all grades is by examination,
although bright pupils are sometimes ad-
vanced a grade on class record. Philadel-
phia has a general board appointed by the
Circuit Court and local board appointed
by the people.
Chicago has general board of q MEM
bers appointed by the Mayor and confirmed
by Councils. Pupils are admitted to High
School on the Recommendation ofthe gram
mar school principals, and the pupils not
recommended have the opportunity of try
ing an examination held for this purpose.
In Boston the pupils pass to High School
on their grammar school diplomas Glass
record and examination are about equally
patronized in the Hub schools. This city has
a general board, its members chosen by the
people. Both the daily standing and ex-
animation are the tests of promotion in To-
ledo, which has general school board, one
member from each ward at large.
An AnAuthority Against Examinations.
Colonel Parker, of the County Cook Nor
NAL School, replies that pupils should pass
from grade to grade without examination.
The Worcester, Mass, schools have the
combination method of examination. class
record and the judgment of the teacher.
This city has a general board At Lam
caster, Pa, admission to High School is by
examination. Springfield, Mass, has pro-
motions based on the recommended
tion of the principals. New Orleans
has IL members of its general board ap-
pointed bv Councils and eight by the State
Board of Education. Promotions to the
high school are by special examination. st.
Louis has promotions to high school twice
a year and they are made on the recon-
mendation of the principals of tine district
schools who judge by the daily record and
results of final examination. Baltimore
has general board elected by Councils.
The principals recommend the pupils
for promotion In Erie three MEM
the general board, going out each year.
They use the combination method in the
Erie schools.
In Washington, D. c., the school super
visors recommend for promotion. The gen.
eral board is appointed by the District
Omaha schools have exam
ination for admission to high school anda
general school board, and Cleveland pro-
notes on a combination of the results of ex-
animation and the Recommendation of its
teachers
How We Differ From Other Places.
It will be seeu that Allegheny City,
and Pittsburg are the
only cities having local boards, and,
owning their school buildings.
The Baltimore superintendent adds that
the most important point is not the method
of examination, but to secure good teachers,
tor where there are good teachers there are
sure to be good schools.
The Teachers Institute also forwarded to |
The committee, Friday, the resolution passed |
1t its recent meeting against examination |
Is basis tor promotion and the present |
plan of publishing the names, standing, and |
schools of the candidates who 20 up for the
December and June examination for ad-
mission to high school should be abolished
md simply the number OF the candidate be
Whatever decision the committee will
:ome to on the examination question one
hing is assured that the present plan will
'e in vogue for the present term.