The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-15
CRANSTON.
The School Committee Holds an I'M
p0rtant Meeting.
Charges Against Principal-Dlscussion
Over Percentages.

The regular monthly meeting Of the school
committee was held in the Council chamber
las evening.
Mr.. Philip F. White presented charges
against Principal Bowen Of tho Edgewood
school. The nature of the charges was that
the principal is arbitrary and discriminating
in relation to pupils The charges were re-
ferred TO a special meeting to be held Friday,
December Is, at o'clock.
Miss Alice Owen was elected TO fiji the va
canoy caused lbysresgnation of Miss Smith
from the fourth grade in the Auburn school.
Miss May Westcott was elected for a trail
term in the Knightsvillo school.
in September, Dy a resolution, the superin-
tendent was authorized to loan TO any pub
lie library in tho town a set OF the text books
used in the ninth grade grammar and the
High School upon receipt OF an order from
the local committees 1t was understood by
the committee when the resolution was passed
that these books were on hand. Last,evening
bill came in for $25 to pay for the books
loaned TO the Auburn Library The commit
tee werdsurprised and branded the transac-
tions as foggy. A resolution was passed
That the books be removed from the library
and returned TO the schools"
The superintendent reported that there are
1854 children registered in the schools and
142l belonging. The percentage of attend
snce in 1895 was 92 per cent. and in 1896 was
03 per cent. This increase is an illustration
OF tho efficiency Of the truant officer Joseph
Il. Sanders
Committeeman Clemence Of Knightsville
asked that teacher be added TO the teach
ing force i'm the Knightsvile school. Mr..
Clemence's request was granted.
A little discussion ar ose over this request
in regard to the reasons why the Knightsvills
and the Cranston schools, the two that had
before stood the highest in the town, now
stand so much lower in percentage markings.
Mr.. Freeman said that he cannot understand
il. He had visited these schools and knows
that they are doing better work than they
did year or more ago. Mr.. Freeman said
that in the Cranston school the discipline is
excellent. the methods of instruction are
modern, the teachers all work in harmony
and the school in every respect is far in adj
vance OF what 1t was when il stood the high
est in the town according 10 percentage. Mr..
Freeman further said the examination lately
given by the superintendent tested memory
and the cramming Of facts and not the per-
ceptive and reflective faculties as it should
have done. He said that such examinations
had in a few places changed what had been
good teaching into poor teaching.
Objection was also made that the examina-
ton did not test the schildren in what they
had gone sover during last term, but rather
what they passed over years ago. 1t was also
said that since all the schools were not ex-
amined with tho same questions. the percen-
tage averages would form no basis upon
which to compare the schools one with another
President of the committee Hon. II. b. Balm
reported that already $1,000 has been ex-
pended.
Specimens of vertical writing from the
different schools of the town .were on exhi-
bition.
After tho passing of number Of bills the |
meeting adjourned.