Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-19

more work and learn longer lessons than are
given 90 the average class. are called out and
sent into the next class above. The same is
done with the other classes. The classes are
not year apart, not half year. The intervals
are ten weeks, more OF less A bright pupil
who gets promoted over an interval of ten
weeks work can sustain himself in the advanced
class and does not lose a great amount Of valu-
able work that he ought to have gone over.
whereas II promoted over the entire work OF a
grade. A. Is done In some in the schools Of
the District Of Columbia, there is. and remains,
something Of hiatus in the matter OF import
ant studies omitted
II the two classes which are formed in each
room Of the schools Of the District were q half
year apart, instead Of an entire year as at pres
ent, the facilities for reclassifying the more
eomPeten, pupils would be more than twice as
great A. now.
The QUESTION OF EXAMINATIONS
II must be mentioned here that the schools
of the District since the abolition Of all written
examinations for promotion. do not hold back
the dull ones OF class by sitting out the in
competent 10 80 great an extent as formerly.
The slow pupils are entirely kept out OF the
high schools Of most cities by the strict en-
trance examination In Washington they move
forward on the regular current and enter the
High School in large numbers. But next to
nothing Is done to emancipate the talented pu-
pills from the yoke which forces them down TO
thc pace set bF tnelr SLOW companions.
IL would seem to q person well acquainted
with the defects OF the graded system as it e1-
lists that the abolition OF examinations for adj
mission 10 the High School wrought some good
for the District A duh mind has now some
chance Of irving his intellect on those tools Of
thought which are able in some measure to
make up for differences in talent. A dull boy
who has struggled through quadratic equations
In algebra or learned to read Latin studied
geometry has bv aid OF those powerful instru-
ments OF research distsnced all the talented
boys of the grammar school He can perform
mental problems that they will never be able to
solve until they invent master such ma the
NAUTICAL and philosophic instruments for them
selves
A boy put into algebra before solving the
problems Of higher arithmetic learns how to
flank all such problems by n superior method
Doubtless, therefore, there is good in this
phenomenal attendance on the high schools
which the city of Warrington shows. While
the colored schools show exactly per cent en-
rolled in the High and Normal schools. the
white schools show an enrolment in those
schools OF nearly per cent.
Pupils who enter high school without pass
ing strict examination, and are not thereafter
accustomed to such strict examinations, will
naturally fail of admission 10 college when sub
mitted 10 tests that to them are unusual
In the Central High School it will be easy to
form division of such pupils desire to enter
for fitting them to pass strict examinations.
This may be done without losing any OF the adj
yantagss gained by the disuse OF entrance ex-
aminations formerly required for transfer from
the grammar school.
The financial advantage to come to the Dis
trict bv the adoption OF the system of grades or
classes with semiannual or quarterly intervals
will appear in the greater ease OF filing up the
rooms ~ the grammar grade TO their full seat
ing capacity. To fully understand this it is
necessary to remember that pupils are con-
tlnually beginning school in the lower grades
and rs continually dropping on. in the higher
grades TO go To- work The consequence is that
the rooms in tbs primary grades that were full
In the fall term crowded to oyerfowiug in
the spring or summer term. The grammar
grades were filed full in the fall and winter and
are found TO have grown thin in the spring and
summer.
The continual promotion Of the bright pupils
from class to the next one above keeps the
classes IN the upper grades full all the year and
thereby saves in the cost of tuition. As il is
now the teachers who receive the highest sala-
ries and possess most skill have the fewest pu-
pills for the better half of the year.
Here NAV be seen the advantage OF supplying
an assistant 10 the principals room. as pro-
posed under a former head Of this report This
NAV now be considered in connection with the
whole problem Of supervision.
SOME GENERAL REMARKS.
II must not be inferred that the report was
all unfavorable criticism. The commissioner
found much to commend. His report ended as
follows:
In conclusion il must be stated that al, OF
the defects pointed out except the one in re-
gard to intervals between grades or classes
seem TO be temporary and III process of remedy.
AL systems Of schools that have any degree of
vigor In their organization sway from side to
side. or from eXtreme to extreme like other
pendulum movements of reform in human So
ciety. A too great neglect of information
studies and too close adherence to reading,
writing and arithme tic lead TO q strong accen-
tuatiOn of the other side. that of science, i'll
dustrial training and physical culture. II
these again are pushed to extremes the pendu-
lum swings back again. Ii does not appear
that the schools Of the District at present in
any dangerous ueighborhood TO an extreme.
although. as has been intimated. the new
branches Of the cour.e OF study are not vet
fully advanced to good pedagogical form. so
that they can be taught in Progres.ige lessons
OF sufficiently small compass TO insure smoo Ii
progress on the part of the pupils not gifted
for the work.
The great staple branches OF the elementary
school reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar
and history-haye not suffered materially by
the introduction of the new branches. while on
the other hand much has been gained in rem
derirs the school system able to cope with the
great problems OF city growth, namely, the In
crease Of the population of the slams, where
crime and pauperi.m collect and breed.
There In one more need which ought to be
supplied in order TO cope with she city prob
lem TO the best advantage. There should be a
kindergarten system in close connection with
the primary schools.
II should receive children at the age of four
years and train them into habits OF neatness,
Cleanliness, politSns.s, gentle manners, and
build basis Of self-respect at an epoch before
the hardening process OF CITY life lets in.
There are two classes benefited most by the
kindergarten. the very poor and the rich. The
child Of poverty Is made prematurely old by
being Obliged 10 shift for himself in the midst
j. bora with unusual directive power inherited
from his parents, who have risen to wealth by
more than ordinary exertion. Being left to the
care Of nurses and governesses the precocious
child learns to rule those set over him. and by
the time he has grown 10 school age he is a
spoiled child, and later on he squanders the
money inherited IN riotous living and goes to
an early grave. The most precious children,
gifted with the largest directive power. are lost
Go society and produce much injury to the
community the criminals of the slum. The
old system Of education does not reach the
spoiled child of the rich or gather in the chill
dren of the Stun at a sufficiently early age to
cure them. Hence the kindergarten commends
itself As an important member Of a system Of
city schools.
Along Distance Driving Race.