The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-02-01

WOulQ nave rcJecbSu CnemT II you nave
any doubts, try the experiment. | am
sure you will lind difference in.the var
ious estimates that will pe astonishing.
Furthermore, this risk of unfairness
cannot easily be removed. because of The
limited scope of the examination. When
we reflect that failure of promotion
means u detention OF the pupil In school
quent loss to him of the same time in
the active duties of life. are we justified
in exposing him to the risk of such gross
injustice?
:.In an examination, the pupil is ever
conscious of how much is at stake and
his dread of failure induces a nervous
condition, which is not only dangerous
to health, but Is often fatal to success,
even in the case of very capable pupils.
That they consume a great amount of
time which could be more proftaby
spent otherwise, aud that they often
tempt pupils and sometimes teachers to
become dishonest, are objections which
need no proof.
SEEMLY CONSIDERATIONS.
LET us look for moment at some OF
the considerations which to render the
test examination necessary.
"We know very well that parents are
apt to charge that the teacher has made
unfair determinations. Ii examinations
are held. the teacher can refer the COM
as proof of his fairness. The
fact that parent will accept
such an argument is no proof that the
argument is sound or even Judlcious. 1t
may be entirely due to the fact that he
has become accustomed TO such criter-
ion. This consideration would reduce
the examination to a trick and ought not
prevent the application of tests which are
proper and equallD convincing.
.EOr the purpose OF emulation. MANY
teachers desire to determine with ac-
curacy the relative standing of class at
promotion or graduation, This needless
comparison is based upon the examina-
ton to insure equality and fair
ness, There are very many legiJi-
of teachers, but this is certainly not one
of them. This unhealthy stimulent is
felt almost entirely by those to whom it
is not necessary to apply it. 1t often
makes pupils misfortunes seem
like crimes, aud intiicts incal-
culable injury supon the pupils
mental and moral nature. But even
If such comparison is desirable it can be
made on otner and more defensible bases.
The same objections might be urged
against the use Of examinations for the
purpose of awarding honors or prizes on
promotion or graduation.
81 do not, however, wish to be under
SboOu DIS OppOSlUR tA6 uS0 VI oAdmluauAOA
in toto. IL is only to their use for the
purpose of promotion that object. They
have a place, and very important
place in the educational field.
Indeed they should often be en-
ployed by the teacher in his class
worK. As means of acquainting the
teacher with the deficiencies of his pupils
and the pupils with stheir own defcien-
cies, as a means of reviewing past
work, as IL means of cultivating con-
sciences of expression, or, in general.
of turnishinff opportunities for the study
and practice of English, as means of
combining many profitable exercises in
one, they are valuable. For these pur-
poses l should encourage their frequent
en- mployment.
The best method of measuring the pro-
iciency of pupils for promotion or gradua-
tion should be based upon consideration
Of all the products of education. a
through knowledge of the best methods
of instruction., and proper
appreciation of the best interest of
each individual. To decide Justly
whether pupil is deserving of promo
tion. one must be thoroughly familiar
with the course of study which be is pur-
suing, with his attentiveness TO school
duties, his faithfulness, his regularity
of attendance, his facility and
thoroughuess in acquiring what is
taught, DIS pOWcT VI ISb0ultOu, MS Capd-
bilities, his aptitudes, his desires, In
short all the qualities that make up his
school history and as much as possible of
his personal history. Who knows
or can discover all this with
more accuracy than his teacher
and principal? They hold constant
intercourse with him, and are hence most
competent to decide upon his fitness for
promotion. Briefly stated, the best method
is that which Is based upon the Judgment
of the pupils entire work during the
term as expressed by the teacher and
principal.
sit has been urged against this plan
that teachers will sometimes favor un-
qualified pupils. Such action is dishonest
and Is even more likely to occur with
other methods. Such practices will.
however, soon be discovered and
can easily be corrected. 1t matters
not on what basis pupils are promoted, if
those who participate in the Judgment
persist in favoritism or dishonesty they
should have nc place in the school room."