Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1895-01-25
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EXHMINH TIONo.
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I'm Article Of 1nter<>t to I'll
Patrons OF Our High
School.

appropriate time than the present,
when semester examinations are be-
Ing held and but a few days before
the state examinations take place,
to state exactly the position we
have taken regarding these examina-
lions. We make this statement be-
lieving it will be of interest and also
possibly make clear points regard
ing examinations which are not fully
understood. l will state briefly the
policy we nave adopted and which
has, il. our Judgment, proved the
most satisfactory.
During each semester careful
record of the daily class work and OF
the results of periodical quizzes or
examinations is kept for each pupil
pursuing preparatory or high school
studies.
At the end OF the semester, exam
nations are given in every subject,
covering the work for the entire
term. II the subject is one for the
study of which but one semester Is
given, the examination is final and
covers the entire field passed over.
The final marking received by each
pupil at the close Of the semester. or
at the completion of any subject, is
based upon his class record, the re-
suits of periodical quizzes and OF the
semester examinations. Each OF
these factors is thoughtfully consid-
cred, and upon no enc or two Is a
pupils final standing alone depend
emit.
Upon the standing thus received
depends whether or not Il pupil can
Justly be permitted to undertake the
state examinations. 1t most GER
tainly would not be proper to per-
nit a pupil whose work had proved
unsa 1isfactory to his instructors,
and who was not prepared t" drop
a subject, to attempt the state ex-
aminations with the idea that me
might pass and thus be justified in
pursuing higher work.
State examinations are held at the
end of each semester, and it devolves
upon the pupil to show whether or
not he is qualified to take them. NO
restriction is imposed apon him.
He is free to act. The entire time
and energies of the high school fac
ulty are at his disposal to assist and
encourage him.
On the other hand, if pupil has
labored conscientiously the entire
term; has given his entire time and
interest to his studies; has attained
results wholly satisfactory to his
teachers, and has proved himself
qualified to pursue work farther adj
vanced in his course, but from some
inscrutable cause or causes fails to
pass the state examina tiOns, it does
not seem just, or in any light, equit-
able, to require him to spend an
other whole or half year in retrac1ng
the steps he has taken.
If there is any one thing that will
thwart students interest; check
hts aspirations, and make him feel
discouraged and grow indolent and
careless, it is to require him, at the
loss of time in his course, to pursue
work he has thoroughly, and to the
satisfaction of his instructors, done.
1t is impossible that the State
Board of Examiners should, in every
instance, give examinations which
would be just and fair to every high
school pupil in the state. There are
many factors which enter to render
this statement true. Textbooks
are not uniform. Some subjects are
so broad, and are treated so d.
versely by different authors that it is
wholly impossible to prepare set
of questions which will cover the i'm
portant points emphasized in each
text. 1t is far better to give pupil
q thorough understanding OF a
limited portion of a particular sub
iect. if time cannot be taken to mas
ter the whole, than to give him but
q smattering of the work in hand.
From. this it obviously follows that
until uniformity Of texts and OF
methods of instruction has been es-
tablished, no one set of questions
can he prepared which will be just
and fair to every high school pupil
in the state.
In my opinion, it was never the
intention of the state high school
board that state examinations
should supersede. or in any way in
terfere with local examinations. The
object was and is to offer an incen-
tive for better work to state high
school pupils. 1t is extremely un-
fortunate that so much time has
been appropriated to the prepara-
ton for these examinations to the
absolute exclusion of other ends,