Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-29

and this corrects the damaging re-
suits of the frequent changes of
teachers. Previous to the introduce
ton Of this course of study and sys-
tenn of records into our schools.
teachers had nothing to put them in
touch with one another's work. The
work in each school was independent
of the work in all others. They
would teach without any guidance or
direction for a term. or perhaps q
year, and go away without leaving
any record whatever of the work
done. The succeeding teacher was
obliged to reorganize the school from
such information as could be secured
from the children and from examine
tions, and too often that meant a re-
hash of the preceding years work.
The idea Of intelligent men and wo-
men working in this blind, haphaz-
ard way is simply incomprehensible.
Now a teacher may 60 into any dis
trict school in this county and by the
aid Of the classification record begin
work on the first day. The school is
always organized.
By using the outlined work OF this
course, subjects and principles are
kept constantly before the pupils, in
stead of printed pages. They are
thus stimulated to search for inform
alton and are lead to an independent
investigation of facts. rather than to
q memorizing Of text books.
To encourage pupils to complete
the work of the district schools, An
examination of those who do the
eighth grade work is held by the coun-
ty superintendent each year. and a
certificate of graduation is given
to those who desire it. In the last
two years about fifty pupils have tax
en- this examination, and about thirty
have received certificates. OF those
who received certificates, fully as per
cent are now attending some high
school or academy. Heretofore there
was no course of study-no definite
or fixed amount Of work to be done
in these schools. The yearly at
tendance grew shorter and shorter,
as the boys and girls grew older.
until they finally dropped out at an
age when the practical affairs of life
precluded any farther or advanced
work; in fact, many CT them never
completed the work in the common
branches. They had nothing to work
for-no goal. 1t was a tread mill
grind from which only age and
strength to assist in farm duties
promised liberation. Now the pos
sibility Of finishing this work
at an age when more advanced
mork may be done is held out to
every child. and the result is seen in
more regular and complete attend
and and increased interest. Time is
a necessary element in bringing
about changes in established usages
or customs in any line of work, and
while this system is yet imperfect.
the foundation is laid broad and
strong. and if persisted in will sub
stitute in place OF haphazard. aim
less work, thoroughness and system.
This in substance is one of the
great reforms in school work intro
duced by County upcrintendent
Marshall.
Rock Island County Boy.
Mr.. Marshall is Rock Island
county boy. having been born and
reared in the county. He is 81 years
OF age. and Is years of his life have
been devoted to teaching and study.
What he is he has made himself.
Without assistance. and with only his
natural intellect and industry to de-
pend upon, he has moulded his sue
cess. He was principal of the schools
OF Cordova when elected county SUI
perintendent four years ago.
| Police Points.