New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-11
Motley on all questions shows that the beiiel
in themselves has returned, and is as strong
NEW- YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

NEW- YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Superintendent Jasper, of the New \ ork City
nublic schools, has been investigating the pup
lie school systems of other cities in the co''n-
fry. In comparing their methods with those
IF the NcwYork schools he finds that the
latter are behind tho cities Of the West III
some things" which will hardly be news 10
those who have paid any intelligent attention
f. the subject In fact. Mr.. Jaspers own state
mcnts indicate that he has put the matter very
mildly to say the least. ManN of the Western
cities. he says. spend much mvre money ON
their schools than New-IOrll does. Chicago
for instance. spends a million dollars a year
m re. In the matter of buildings New-Iork IS
behind nearly all the great cities of the coun-
trv. and the salaries it pays are relatively less
than those paid in other cities. 1.-The trouble
OF the New-Yorll schools" says Mr.. Jasper
O. i owing to the fact that our schools are
opcratcd on laws which are fifty years behind
the tines Our system is cumbersome and de-
fcient in many respects. unqueStionaol!
there is too much division OF responsibility
In fact. il is almost impossible to fix the blame
on any orc person or set OF officers ana inc
result is that no one is to blame when improve
mont, alc not introduced and when the schools
arc not kept up 10 the highest standard oil
excellence"
In spite of these admissions, which, though
not 50 Intended arc a most serious Indictment
Of the Ncw-YorIl public school system hr'
Ja,pcr maintains that the standard OF scholar
shin in the New-YOr< schools Is fully up I'd
thc average. But the force of that claim dc-
pcnds entirely on the ideal of scholarship heid
nv the man who makes it and there are many
Of Mr.. JaspcrS fellow citizens who whlle Il"
hitting his ability and good intentions believe
that his ideal is a faulty one. For what Is 'hc
proof that he offers for his assertion tha' inc
\cv-York schools are not behind other schools
in giving 4 good education? Simply tins, that
\cvYoll,'s school exhibit at the Worlds Far
* in the opinion of Mr.. Jasper, " immcaSur-
abIv more satisfactory than the exhibit OF the
local schools" Now. while we are glad 10
Lro,v thar the Ncw-Yor< schools have made
satisfactory exhibit. the fact haS little or no
value rs a proof that their methods OF teach
ing are god. Rather, 1t gives Color 10 inc
charge 50 frequently made that the system oi
teaching in orr schools is seriously detective
II Grams into the minds cf the pupils large
assortment If unrelated facts, without really
educating them in the truc sense OF the word
III i mechanical and wooden, spending hlu0h
90 if, time in what may be called the calls
tb,nics Of education. that make striking snow
in outward results. but which do little to M
tho nupjl for the active duties Of life. What
il needed. say the critics ot the New ofk
.cho.ls * 4 radical revolution in Its system
which NTr. Jasper himself admits Is hlty years
behind the times ard especially the lntroduc-
ton Of enlightened, progressive ana Sc@itihc
methods Of t-achng. in place of the useless
nll- uarrot methods now in vogue. IL Is eyl-
lc,t however. from the qualification which
NJ I,sn.r expra>So, over Ncw-I olk'S school
cvhihit that no change in the mctnods and
ideal. Of teaching can be- expected while he IS
| in authority.
Uut w1iying the question Of superintendent
! r,spcr's conception Of scholarship. as TO which,
If course. there may be two opinions. 1t j. m
displtallo that the public schools of Ncw-l OK
are far from being what they ought II be.
Tbcy are not riou,ly defective in equipment.
Th,ro are not enough school buildings 10 ac-
c,mmodatc the children Of school age ana me
sanifarv condition 81 many OF the buildings *
lb1d. The responsibility for the government
# the school, is 20 divided. according to Mr..
Jasper. that nobody Is responsible for anything
and the result j, they are run in haphazlrd'
huneling way. that would reflect dScrcdlt on
= small village. II i MT pleasant Ia say this
/, j. humiliating - be tod by high official
of our schools that they are fifty years behind
the age. But if it i, truc-and every one q'lall-
co1 IA iudco will admit that 10 i trc-it should
he aid. and repeated until the cnl ightoncd
public opinion Of the city is aroused 70 tho
point e instituting a radical reform.