The San Francisco call., 1895-12-02
WHICH OF THE SCHOOLS CAN Be ABOLISHED?

|
graduation of institutions of higher learning
| throughout the United States. and the oppor-
| tunity it affords exceptional merit to obtain
| recognition by examination, and its munif-
cence in the support OF institutions for the
| professional training of teachers, that ample
provision has been made ior supplying the
| schools OF the State with teachers, and there
is no necessity for the continuance of the Nor
NAL School in this City.
But despite these facts believe that there
| are conditions that demand the continuance of
| the Normal School upon basis that will give
it standing with the State Normal schools.
The conditions that seem to demand the
| existence of the school might be considered
| under two heads: i. AS necessity OF hitting
| a considerable number of young women for
obtaining livelihood. 2. AS a necessity OF
| the educational advancement OF the schools.
| A resident OF this City who desires TO fit his
| daughter for the profession OF teaching will
certainly feel it great inconvenience, II not
| burden, to send her to Berkeley, Palo Alto,
| San Jose, Los Angeles or Chico.
The City employs in round numbers 1000
| teachers Practically all are women. great
majority of them, besides supporting them
| selves, contribute to the support OF others de-
| pendent upon them. 1t is safe to assume that
| many of them would not have been able to
| have prepared themselves to enter the schools
if they had been compelled to leave their
| homes.
1t does seem, in view of the popula-:
| ton of the City and the number OF
| population of the State and the number OF
teachers employed by the State, that its young
| women who desire to enter its teaching force
| should not be compelled TO leave their homes
| to fit themselves for the opportunity.
! But above and beyond any claims that the
residents of the City might have on the ground
their children for the profession OF teaching
| by the discontinuGnce OF the Normal School, is
! the effect that its discontinuance would have
| on the schools of the City.
1t must be remembered that we live IN an
| age of practical politics, and as much as 1t
may be regretted politics is an element IN the
appointment OF teachers to positions IN the
| public schools, and greater element in their
| retention. 1t is therefore necessary that the
teachers appointed shall be well prepared.
| 1t is not to be expected that the young women
| of San Jose, Los Angeles or Chico are going TO
| get positions in the School Department OF this
City instead OF the young women residing
here. 1t is safe to assume that practically all
OF the teachers in the future, as in the past,
will be residents OF the City at the time OF
their appointment. II they cannot obtain pro-
fessional training at home they Will enter the
schools without professional training through
examination.
Then follow the first three articles noted
in Director Henderson's resolution with
this change in the section prescribing the
course of study:
II the requirements for admission already
laid down are maintained 1t VIII not be neces-
sary to do any academic work, that is, in the
nature of preparation for professional work;
therefore, the studies pursued would be sub
stantially professional rather than academic,
except where academic work is done as a
means OF illustration or the enforcement of
professional truth.
In the professional training of teachers is
included-1, the science of teaching; 2, the
art of teaching. Twill not discuss the elements
of the science in detail. The art is gained
either by observing good teaching or practic-
ing teaching under teachers who are capable
OF criticising. In my opinion, the time should
be about equally divided between the theory
and practice.
In the organization of the Normal Training
Gnln nN1 r1yr h1y 6n fnr
struction in the elements OF the science, but an
opportunity must be given TOR acquiring the art
both by observation and practice. In the ac-
quirement OF the art the pupll-teachers should
be given an opportunity for observation by be-
ing sent at first in company with their teacher
of methods to observe the regular work OF the
best teachers of the department.. The obserya-
tion should be followed by practice-teaching,
commencing with group teaching in a room
separate from the class OF which the
group is part. The group-teaching should in
turn be followed by placing the student-teacher
in charge of class, so that the difficulties OF
ordinary teaching may be met.
The ideal course would be one of two years
length, but do not suppose a course of SUCH
length could be successfully inaugurated at
once in this City, and l therefore suggest
course OF one and half years-one and quar-
ter years 10 be devoted to theoretical work and
observation under mode[teachers and prac-
tice-teaching under critic-teachers, and one
quarter of a year to substituting.
If the substituting were done by the pupil
teachers of the Normal Training School with
out cost to the department it would effect
saving of several thousand dollars each year,
besides securing the services OF body OF sub
stitutes under the close supervision OF an ex-
perienced and professional educator.
Under this plan application for substitutes
would be made directly to the principal of the
Normal Training School, and the assignment
of them would be, under the direction of the
superintendent supervised by him.,
In this matter in particular, as well as many
others pertaining TO the school, the superin-
tendent could and should be an important
factor, for, by keeping in close touch with it,
he could exert through it an inspiring, an up
lifting force upon the entire department.
The reports OF the work OF the .pupil-teachers
would not only enable the principal to de-
termine their fitness for graduation and for
the profession, but would, by close study OF
their success or failure, enable him to know
the needs and requirements OF the schools. 1t
is not contemplated under this plan that the
principal OF the Normal Training School should
have anything to do with the appointment OF
teachers to permanent positions, but that he
should so conduct the school that in the course
OF the determination of the fitness of the stu
dents for graduation they should do the sub
stituting of the department.
If the substituting were done in the way
suggested, no necessity exists for the MAIN
tenance of a substitute list. A vacancy would
be filled by the election of some one to the
particular position. If the teacher elected was
d graduate of the Normal Training School, she
would have already successfully substituted in
the department during her period in training,
and would be qualified to fill the position
not graduate of the Normal Training School,
it is presumed that she would be graduate OF
school of equal or higher rank, which had
demanded as much or more practice teaching
or that she presented evidence OF successful
experience in teaching. 1t is presumed, of
course, that probationary period would be
served as now, before final election into the
department. Very respectfully,
RICHARD D. FAULKNER.
In connection with the question of retrench-
ing expenses the Board of Education will also
take up that of consolidating Lincoln and
Webster schools, which are on the same lot.
Director Henderson even believes that both
these schools should be merged into some
other, as their location is not proper one, for
the reason that their neighborhood swarms
with resorts not calculated to benefit the chill
dren who may gaze upon and into them from
the school-house windows. The Director, IN
suggesting change, calls attention to the
fact that only nine rooms out of twelve are oc-
cupied in the Cleveland Primary School, and
only eight out OF fourteen are occupied in the
jefferson Primary School. There are likewise
number of schools nicely located and with
spare rooms, which are entitled to the pupils