Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-06-15
EXAMINATIONS.
10 The Editor Of the Herald.

EXAMINATIONS.
TO the Editor OF the Herald.
We rise to second the motion oil
the Herald to dispense with the usual
examinations, both in the classroom
and at the end ofthe term.
What are our objections to them
In addition to our former remarks on
the subject, we add further criticism:
1. All examinations tend to special
''cramming" on the part of the pupil.
This is very detrimental to true men
tai growth and directly opposed to the
best educational development of the
mind
2. Examinations do not measure
the pouyy the child has gained or his
development-the true objects of eju-
cation, but are merely memory tests,
and as long as mere memory tests are
made the basis of promotion and grad
uation for child and teacher, SO long
will true mental growth be subordinat-
ed to low false standards.
3. There is too much time lost-too
much examining" and too little
teaching being done iii our schools
today.
Now examinations have become one
of the Objectionable environments of
our schools. 1t is a mere cross-road
we have taken, having abandoned the
main course. They are bane to the
child, misleading and Disappointing.
1t is rush, stuff, examine to the end of
the educational race, then the gradu-
ate goes out into the world either
mental imbecile or a selfish "skinfint, /"
hollow, unsympathetic. and unbusi-
nesslike.
1t is mistake to think that educa-
ton is fact-gathering. filling the chill
dren full of facts for a certain time,
and then subject them to an empty
ing process called examinations.
This work does not create ideas. 1t
makes superficial, selfish, unAmeri-
can citizens. 1t is not education in
any proper sense.
If we are to determine child's pro-
ficiency and standing by final exam
nations, we deem it very poor test
indeed.
But, Mr.. Editor, we do not stand
alone at all in our position in this
matter. Let US see what others. who
are wiser and more experienced than
ourselves, think. Their opinions
have the weight of official authority:
Supt. Burke, Manchester, N. H.,
says: Il do not favor the percentage
examination as necessary step for
promotion, owing to the evils of ner-
vousness engendered bythis system. >"
Supt. J. w. Anderson, San Fran
cisco, says: "The most prominent
cities now make very little account of
written examinations. 1t is to be
hoped the time is near when they will
in all PLACES be relegated to the shades.
The trend of reform in this particular
is in the right direction. The stand
ing of pupils during the year should
determine their status at the closing
thereof
Supt. E. E. White, Cincinnati,
says: mo one familiar with graded
schools in cities need be told that the
uses of the written examination for
promotion and measuring the sue
cess of schools and teachers, have
been the prolific source of bitter jeal-
BUSINESS and rivalries between schools
and teachers, and that they have
otherwise been attended by serious
evils. They have perverted the best
OhOt 10 vi lCdAAOlo anu ndltOWCu dllu
grooved their instructions; they have
occasioned and made well nigh imper-
alive the use of mechanical and rote
methods; they have occasioned cram
ming and the most vicious habits of
study; they have caused much Of the
overpressurec charged upon the schools,
some of which is real; they have
tempted teachers and pupils to dis
honesty; they have permitted a me-
chanical method OF supervision.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we leave it to the
Judgment of all interested in our
schools whether it would not be best
to get rid of the examination feature.
TEACHER.