The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-18

$24,560
transfers. IA; consideration.
Common Sense in Public schools.

Common Sense in Public Schools.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
Finding it impossible to answer satisfac-
tcrily the many daily Inquiries concerning
the New Method of Grading" l. take this
method of explaining, briefly, my attic mpt
to replace the ''Procrustean bed of grades
by something more pliable. While this will
hardly be a satisfactory answer to many
of the inquiries, it will give a general idea
of the plan here worked out and of the re-
sulting benefits. !f9s1e Hsag
/ All will agree that the children of any
school differ in age, in requirements, in
aptitude, in physical endurance, in the
power of attention., in home advantages
and in many other ways; yet the graded
school of to-day would keep fifty pupils
in intellectual lock-step, not only month
after month. but year after year, for their
whole school lives. For having subjected
all to a useless examination, they are pro-
noted annually by companies. This being
so, need we wonder that the ironelad sys-
tenn Of grading, which, regardless of all diff
ferences. would cast all minds in the same
mold, and subject all to the same treat
ment for the same length of time, and
test all in the same way. is objected to
because it demands so much uniformity at
every step, that the large majority of the
pupils is forced to stop school. and the few
fair start in life? It is any wonder that
from all sides, there comes a demand for
some plan Of grading Which VIII be more
not only the differences of physical ability
and physical environments, but even the
differences in mental ability. which the
Almighty has predetermined
Believing that this is a matter of vital
l n,,b1,r se6eo1 10 a eaery sba 1oy ybs ad tins glT has IN tn the
when the pupil should be given the OPP
rortunity to go just as far and as fast as
/ have sought diligently but unsuccessfuliy
for some better method of grading. An
swers aod le Tieifs OF 70 i1 many of efat 15e gath
cities. prove that the need OF some reform
in the manner of grading, is everywhere
felt. but what change should be made,
no one seems willing TO say. The following
changes, which can be made gradually in
any system, without friction, have enabled
us to secure an accurate classifcat flor IF
pupils into small classes. with but a short
interval between the classes This makes
it possible for any pupil, at any time, to
pass from his own class to the next higher
division, when his work puts him ahead of
his regular class.
First-The examination as a test for nro-
motion was abandoned. The pupils ability
to do the work of the next grade is not
the result of an examination. but by the
record made in his daily work as shown by
his monthly report. A score of reasons
fact that the promotion examination is the
cause and bulwark of the attempted uni
formity in school work.
~Second-The pupils were graded careful
~ on their ability TO do the work of each
grade ana Dul one STdue put III Il ROOM
Third-As differences appeared, each
room was subdivided into several small
groups in essential studies. As no given
amount of work was demanded in a GER
tain time. each group was allowed to go
Just as fast as it could and should ana no
faster.
Among the many beneficial results. noted
during the past two years, may be men
toned the following:
First-As the pupils are graded, in classes
Of from ten TO twenty instead of herded in
classes of fifty. the teacher can come into
close contact with each individual and
secure from each one his best work. The
attention of the class can be held, and the
wants of each pupil stand out.
Second-Every child is touched with hone.
as their advancement depends entirely on
their ability and willingness to do the work
and not on the time OF year or the rest OF
the class AS soon as a pupil gets ahead
of his class he is advanced to the next
division, which is but a short distance
ahead.
Third-Forty-three per cent. of the pupils
in the schools of this city had passed 20
advanced work before the end of the first
wears trial. and had gained from one-third
10 three-fourths OF a years work. The
results this year will be even better, aid
most of the pupils wih gain from one to
four years. VA SHEARER.
Newcastle, Pa, March ~.