New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-06
TRUANT SCHOOLS SUCCESS.
1T MADE LITTLE GENTLEMEN OF SOME
BOYS THOUGHT INCORRIGIBLE.
THE OFFICIALS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ARE MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH THE
FIRST YEARS WORK

THE OFFICIALS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ARE MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH THE
FIRST YEARS WORK.
School Superintendent Maxwell. who Is In town
for a few days, is much pleased with the first
wears work of the Truant School under the man
agement Of the Board of Education. The school
closed last Friday and vacation time there will
last through the months of August and Septem-
Der Just when the school will receive truants
again is somewhat uncertain. The public schools
will not open this year until September IA, and
after that there must b, time for bad boys to alb
sent themselves and require treatment for tru-
ancy before they can become inmates Of the Tru-
ant School That will not be until after the be-
ginning Of October in all probability.
The result OF the first year of this school as a
mart of the public educational system Of the city
Is regarded as entirely satisfactory by officials OF
the Board of Education. In fact, their eXpecta-
lions have been more than fulfilled and they ex-
press full satisfaction with the results achieved.
The school has been in existence for many years,
and was formerly known as the Truant Home
To 1t youthful criminals were consigned, as well
as truants from the public schools, but the treat
ment they received was not what II should nave
been, and the institution, being under the direc-
ton of the Board OF Aldermen, was used by them
as a resort for carousng and cardplaying on Sun
days and holidays. and perhaps at other times
Under the present law only truants are COM
mitted to the institution, and great pains are
taken to teach and reform them. Good teachers
are provided, and a regular military drill mas
been instituted for the boys with excellent re-
suits During the year just closed llo boys nave
been sent to the Truant School, and of that num-
Der between sixty and seventy were discharged
on probation from time to time. The good effects
of the treatment they received there are to be seen
In the fact that only two Of those let out had to be
sent back In one Of these cases the boy acted on
an impulse. and did not give any indication OF be-
ing really incorrgible.
Superintendent Maxwell has received numer-
Gus letters from friends Of the boys released.
speaking most warmly Of the Improvement
wrought in the lads by being subjected TO the
strict discipline Of the school One woman wrote
that her brother who had been regarded as al
most hopelessly bad. had become a little gentle
man" after being In the Truant School, and she
wished to express her thanks for what had been
done for him. The boys who are dismissed from
the school are required to report at the offices OF
the Board Of Education twice month and bring
cards showing their record In the public scnoos
they attend. In every case the reports nave
been good, and in several cases these boys are
said to be the best boys In the school.
The Truant School Is located in Jamalca-ave'
on the line between Kings and Queens counties
The building which is of brick. has been put In
better condition than formerly. but the Board or
Education has not yet been able to carry out the
project Of providing addition to 1t. The plans
for the addition have been made, but the money
is not forthcoming. The principal of the school
for the last year has been George W. French. for
merly a public school principal and he VIII re-
main In that position, while his wife VIII con-
tnue to act as matron Of the school. The tone
of the institution has been completely changed
under their Immediate direction. and still better
results are looked for In the future.