The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-06-17
Promotions in the Schools.

Promotions in the Schools.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL: / wish
to state through the columns Of your paper
some changes in the arrangement of the
schools this year, and explain, if possible,
the necessity and reasons for such changes.
The object of this letter is two-fod: First,
to explain the condition of the schools now,
and to outline the future policy of the de-
partment; and secondly, to win the cooper
alton of the parents for the stimulation of
this plan, especially such parents as have
children involved in the change. The
changes that are now taking place are
these: Firstly, the final examination bears
only certain per cent. to the years work
and is not sufficient unto itself fer promo
ton. In the intermediate Grades the int1u-
ence Of final examinations, so-caled, is
only one-tifth; the daily work for the year
having the other four.tifths influence; in
the Lower Grammar Grades the influence
of the finals is only one-fourth; in the Upper
Grammar, one-third. 1t will be seen from
this that groaoM is the thing to work for,
and that the tendency will be to promote a
child when he or she is ready for promotion.
Secondly: the practice of "averaging" will
be dropped. A child who is good speller
and poor reader is not an average child
educationaly. The lack of one thing and the
overplus of another does not have the ten
dency to ''round the pupil OUT Each pupil
will need to acquire a certain degree of pro-
ficiency in each study, if we are to produce
we'll trained young men and women. The
theory of averaging has produced educa-
tional cripples, with uneven limbs, hobbling
along on account of a certain development
in one thing, and lack of development in
another.
Thirdly. No pupil will receive "con-
ditional" certificate hereafter. 1t will be
seen from the foregoing that there can be no
such thing as a conditional certificate
Work must be done in all branches, not for
the benefit OF the system-for the system
can take care of itself and is of the least i'm
portance-but for the benefit of the pupils
| themselves. Out of the number of pupils
that were advanced conditionallv last wear.
We can recall no instance where the pupil
is not weaker on the whole than year ago.
Out of the number who were conditioned
last year, and who had the choice to 90 on
| or remain back, and who elected the latter
we cannot recall now a single instance
where the pupil is not among the strongest
and is ready to do good and vigorous work
in the next grade. Comment is unnecessary
Now. it may seem to many that this is
rather a harsh and unfair plan, and one
which would be unjust in many cases
In reply to such, let us outline the plan of
the department., which is now being put into
operation. We have refused certificates to
about sixty pupils for one, two, three or
more arrearages, which, if not made up. and
the pupil be allowed to go on, will cause the
pupil to stumble many times in his future
work in the schools and perhaps, in the end,
leave the work unfinished. The depart
ment has famliarized itself with every
individual case that has deficiency
The health, ability, Incidence, neglect,
everything that is likely to produce poor
work and render pupil deficient, has been
taken into consideration and planned for.
The amount of work to be done, the home
influence and environment, with other
things not necessary to mention here, also
have been taken into consideration and the
department feels competent to give advice to
parents in each individual case. 1t is for
this purpose that the department., at the
present time, is sending out letters Of invi-
tation to parents to call and confer with the
Superintendent relative to their children
When this call is made each parent will be
advised to restrain or push the pupil during
the vacation, as the case may be.
Books will be loaned, work will be laid
outin detail along the lines of deficiency. 1t
is hoped and believed, that parents will fol-
low the advice offered by the Superintend-
ent. No arbitrary rules will be followed ::
what is best for each individual boy or girl
is the only thing that is to be considered,
and every effort will be made to enable those
children to advance who ought to be adj
vanced, and keep back those who need to be
kept back, or who can not 60 on without ul-
innate injury to themselves Another trial
will be given in September for such children
as are now deficient, and the child if found
competent to go ahead successfully, will be
at once advanced.
We believe that this plan, and the efforts
put forth by the department, will offset any
apparent injustice that might be anticipated
from the plan outlined in the beginning of
the letter. Very faithfully,
FRANCIS S BRICK.