The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-04-30
PRICE. FIVE CFNTs.

ion THAT the greatest defect IN our un-
graded school system is the utter abb
sence of any records which will be
OF use to the school ait the beginnine
of new school year In graded
schools this difficulty is not encounter
ed, for pupils are passed from grade to
grade by promotion when the allotted
work has been performed, and each
tdacher hlroni, exakitly whht work
each pupil has done, but In the country
schools, which are NOT graded, nor
should be, the uncertainty as to the
attainments Of pupils is cause Of
great confusion and loss OF time.
Every teacher upon taking charge
OF new school, is confronted by an
almost insurmountable difficulty, that
OF having q room fun Of pupils Of ali
ages, to classify and direct, without
having a single record Of past work
to refer to in order to make correct
classification.
Most teachers, too, find 1t necessary
TO commence their work In a new
school wathout even a copy Of the last
years program to help them in dis
covering mihat cAasses there are in
the school
AS a result OF this there is a neces-
sary loss of several days time in or
ganizing the school anew, and every
school board realizes that the pupils
lose fully a months work in becoming
accustomed to the new organization
which the teacher is compelled to in-
stltute.
And since a majority OF the ungrad-
ed schools employ new teacher for
each succeeding year, the loss to the
schools of she entire county is con-
siderable and THE more to be regretted
because Vt Is tn measure unnecessary.
All the confusion and loss of time
occaa!oned by change OF teachers
could be prevented II each teacher,
upon leaving school, would prepare a
complete Year Book" for the benefit
Of his successor.
Amy teacher having a professional
spirit, and feeling an interest In the
advancement Of our public schools,
would deAve suitable record OF that
tlnd without being requested to do
so. but under present conditions dt is
not. and WIN not be done unless re-
quired by the difedtUis TIE teachers
contract should provide that the last
months salary must not be paid until
a complete report Of the school had
been filed with tine clerk OF the board
The STATISTICS required by law are
Of no practical use to new teacher.
The report, to be of use, should
give. program of classes with The
names Of anl Fulplls In each class
and the lesson assigned for the new
year. 1t should contain statement
Of the work already done by e1ch pu>
pill and recommendations as to the
needs of each pupil during the follow
ing year. There should be given a
summary Of the rules and customs Of
the school, as wen as a general out
line OF tine methods pursued by the
teacher making the report.
That much should be required by
the school board, and with ahat by
way of introduction, a teacher Of or
dinary ebillty should be able to make
a success of any school
But can see how a Year Book"
might be OF use and interest in other
ways. 1t could be made record book
Of local events could contain a speed
men of the original work Of each pu-
pill, and could be a record Of the
progress OF the school and commu-
nifty.
If a Year Book" were prepared and
carefully filed each year. AFTER the
lapse Of quaHber OF century the
collection of Year Books" would be
the most highly prized property Of
the district Men could then icok
back over their lives and read a writ.
ten rdcord OF gtheir progress. The
next generation would receive an In
calculable inspiration by reading such
hooks and carefully observing how
others had gone out from Clatsop
county schools TO lives of usefulness
and honor
This batter use for the "Year Books
has been suggested TO me by the read
ing Of some old collections OF school
work left In the district by former
teacher, now our county superlntend-
ent.
Although this collection Is but seven
years old, our school clerk guards II as
carefully as he would The last will and
testament OF rich relation.
But let us ait least provide for sucn
report at the end Of each school year
as will insure the least possible diff
Guilty In opening the school ait the be-
ginning of a now year.
A. W. PRESCOTT.
clatsop. Oregon.
--------
r,1r, e,g.rrr,.-r ctrvrr nv, nv