Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1894-01-22
PROF. oowL1Na REPLIES.

tribution was to assist him and his AZ
sistsnts in reaching and remedying an
evil. If 50, common courtesy would
have suggested that he at least men-
tion the matter to us or to the School
Board as "starter." He saw us the
night before and had ample opportun
ity to make any inquiry, or TO offer
any suggestion. He had received and
read the list of books that day, no, he
did not mention the matter to me, but
on the next morning sent over his note
dray etc. and rushed down to the
printing Office to show what smart
thing he had done, Our generous
helper would also have us to believe
that be knows all about the little chill
dren in the "B" or lower section of
the sixth grade, age and all, although
hc has not been inside the building
this year. The fact of the business is
there is no such section in the school.
He had somewhere seen it stated that
"cramming" is the curse OfOur schools,
80 when his sons books were burned
and he had to buy new outfit he at
once concluded that "cramming" must
mean too many books. When in fact
the word as used in education has no
reference whatever to the number of
studies, but is term applied to the
practice of stufling children's minds
with answers TO "cut and dried" ques-
tions for examinations. useless detiui-
tion and other nibbish, without re-
card to the devolopement of the mind.
"Cramming" is most frequently found
in schools where only the PS are
taught. | frankly admit that the
genteman's son nodded every item on
the list published, but was it fair, in
seeking to show that the children had
too many studies, to count slate, pencil,
pen, sponge etc, and sum it up in the
expression seventeen books etc"
Let us see whether or not the abuse Of
oyertaxing pupils in the public schools
is so ''well known" every public school
of merit s supposed TO complete the
common school studies in eight years.
Four years more completes the college
or university course making the pupil
twenty two years old when he com.
pletoS his education, provided he en-
ters school at ak. 1t has been con-
tended,by the best school men in the
United States that tho work should
be done in less time They have al
most uniformly pronounced that more
matter should be put iuto the gram.
mar school Fourth to eighth grade).
At almost overy State and national
teachers association during tho last
three years a leading subject on the
programme has been show to enrich
the grammar school course The fol-
lowing adopted by body of the
greatest educators on the continent.
men who have served with honor in
every department of school work,
explain itself "the association Of oliic-
ers of the college in New England, im-
pressed with the real unity OF interest
aud the need of mutual sympathy and
help throughout the different grades
of public education, invites the at
tentiou Of the pubic to the following
changes which 1t recommends for
gradual adoption in the programme of
the New England schools.
l. The introduction of elementary
natural history into tho earlier years
of the programme as asubstautial sub
iect. 2. The introduction of elemen-
tary physics into the earlier years of
the programme as substantial sub
iect. 3. The introduction Of an ele-
mentery algebra at an age not later
than twelve years. 4. The introduce
ton of elementary plane geometry at
an age not less than thirteen years.
B, The offering ofsn opportunity to
study French or German or latin, or
any two Of those languages from and
after the age Of ton years In the
Arkansas State teachers association in
1892, q course of study for the ninth
grade of our public schools Including
algebra, Botany, Physiology, English
aud Latin was recommended by that
body, Surprising that the common
school studies were completed in the
eighth grade. | am not discussing the
merits or dcmerits of the foregoing
but quote them merely to show the
trend of educational thought Our
friend implies that II is toward light
eniug the public school course since
am one Of the "otherwise" men,, | as
sert otherwise. In speaking Of ut,
Smith and Dallas schools, he
says, "The facts are, that the
studies prescribed for one grade is
the work to be accomplished in
two terms Of Ave months each, which