New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-24

handing It's attention: but conceding that there
were differences Of opinion among the members at
the outset II is significant that all Of them agreed
in the end on the correct number Of members. for
the report distinctly states: I'VE have great pleas
In reporting that our hnal action on every point
considered hy the committee has been unanimous.
Il is difficult 10 that any advantage will arise
from nearly doubling tho membership OF the board.
The general tendency In the cities ~ the country
Is toward compact Boards OF Education: even IN
New-York there arc only twenty-one members, and
tho same number 81 provided for In tho reorganza-
ton biz now pending In tho Legislature. The IN
crease - taenty-seven Is plainly n concession to
those who think large board better than small
one hui the concession f. not likely 10 dlsnrm TIN
opposition - those opposed to any change In sys-
TEN that ls almost universally recognized as anti
qri'el ari hopfess,y defective.
'rh. same spirit Of concession is 10 be seen In the
change from me original bill providing Tor the re-
ma,al - assistant supor.nienienis and principals
only after tral before the Board Of Education. bu;
ODD change has been made In reference to the re-
nova, q teacher which Is LETT In tho hands OF the
standing Committee On Instruction. There is some
thing t. be said IN favor ~ the new arrangement
Ia reference 10 assistant superintendent. since Il
VII tend make them 20 a smaller extent the
creatures q the Superintendent Of Public Ins,ruc-
ton
one thing which tho committee IN its recommen-
d4t.ons AMI bill Vas scrupuous to guard was tho
character AMI standing ~ those becoming members
= the teaching force In onier 10 raise this 10 a
higher level II therefore provided as follows ION
and after January J. 1895. person shall receive
license or certificate ~ teach IN tn public schools
~ nrookl,n who\has not pursued course OF study
In "A hlgh school or In institution OF equal or
higher rank. for az least four years: having had.
also teachers professional training FOR at least
.one year or such experience in teaching as the
Superintendent and the Committee on instruction
shall deem equivalent to such professional train
ing In the amended bill. printed. the words
"for AZ least four years" are stricken out That.
Of course VII make very great difference In the
training and capacity OF candidates for teachers.
since "a course Of study In high school" may
mean only few months work there. This phrase
is an elastic one. and may be construed to mean
much next 10 nothing.
II Is interesting to note that one important sec
ton which appears In the amended bill IL not to be
found at all In the measure recommended by the
committee. II ls Section 70, which Is short. but
vital. Ii IL as follows: This act shall take effect
Immediately" As there were two lawyers on the
committee, the omission OF the "enactng clause" Is
interesting. 10 say the least.
Despite all the changes which have been made.
there can be no doubt that the enactment OF the
bill In It's present shape Will greatly improve the
educational system OF Brooklyn. which Is merely
a survival from anterior conditions and I'll adapted
- the needs Of city OF million people In speak
ing this subject weknown citizen who has
given close attention to school matters In Brooklyn
talked TO this effect:
while | DO not think the bill as revised IL az
good as II when 1t left the committees hands.
| have no hesitation In saying that II enacted II
will make vast Improvement In educational
system. can see good reason for making "A
board OF twenty-seven members instead OF fifteen
and fear that with board Of that size there Will
be some attempt 10 perpetuate the system Of local
mi fcea ttbl has hoo fbo
abuscs-perhaps OF most OF the abushs which have
grown UP in our schools. II seems to wise to
diminish the powers OF the Commissioner Of EIuca-
ton proposed by the committee. IT, az appears from
the revised BILL he II to be appointed by each in
coming Mayor for a term OF two years There il
clearly need Of officer to devote all his time To
the business affairs OF the Board OF Education and
1t seems desirable TO have an officer i'm mis- denart
ment who shall bear the same relations 10 the
Mayor az the heads of other municipal depart
political office through the appointment 10y some
Mayor Of politician and hence The desrably Of
the education department, properly speaking.
, rhe ,e Yea OF The committee as | understand IT.
the Commissioner Of Education and gave hin. power
To- nominate the Superintendent. In the expectation
thit a man or the highest character. expert In
both education and business might be found to MI
H. liam ana W. with the hope that such man once found
the commissioners term to two years made neces-
ssry rearrSngng Of the functions OF this Official
excellent one How 1t would work In practice s
ana the appointment or UNIT
man To hold this place for five years would OF course
be serious blow 10 the school system"
What do you think OF the other changes I'm the
commit tees bl| was asked.
wei. so FAR as have examined the matter most
OF them strike me as unobjectionable. think there
Is something to be gained by the provision for trials
or accused assistant superintendent and principals
before the Board OF Education. We don't want to
have Superintendent who IL an absolute autocrat,
for II would be easily possible to get In a man who
OF reducing the requirements for entering the teach
ments HIGH and the omission OF the provision FOR
take. trust that II will turn that this mistake
Will be amended In this respect
How did Associate Supernrn Wards ideas,
as set forth In last Sundays Tribune Impress you"
one OF his suggestions certainly novel and in
teresting. and wish that he had opportunity
to present II to the Advisory Committee. That IL
In reference TO the confirmation OF appontees to the
Board OF Education by the board Itself The effect
or that In maintaining high standard In the board
would probably be good. At the time. there
would be some danger. II certain class OF men
got into the board. OF making II close corporation:
suppose there were n board OF fifteen members and
the terms OF five had expired. and then suppose that
the rtmainng ten refused to confirm any nominees
made by the Mayor. II would be possible for the
ten men already In to perform all the duties OF the
Board OF Education Nor do | understand clearly
Just how the first board would be made up under
this system. am afraid. too that Il would lead to
wlre.2ullin. and log rolling and make the board
hotnsd OF poltlcs.the very thing which It Is most