Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-16

held thar the absence from school oil
children Of school age waa entirely too
large. Last March it was found that
2TS children between z and II years of
ago had left school since the oeginning
of the school year. MIR. Harlan thinks
it reasonable to assume that 200 OF
these we're out of school without valid
excuse. a compulsory education law
would authorize properly appointed
officers to look after these children and
get them into school again. The usual
course is for the school attendance
officer 10 endeavor to persuade parents
TO send the children to school, and fail
ing in persuasion, 10 send legal notice
and warning that u prosecution will
follow, If the children in question are
not sent to sCoohl. II the compulsory
law is at first held in contempt by
some parents, small number OF prose-
cutionH wi usually lead 10 proper re
speCt for 1t.
But Mr.. Harlan does not think it ad
visahle to put into the regular public
schools all the absentess, Tor although
it would be good for those children, it
would be bad for the children who 60
without cOmpulsion. For the truant
usually behaves badly in school. lie
favors special schools for those who arc
too old to he classed with children of
their attalnments in the regular day
schools, and a home in which TO con
fine, those who wi mot attend the other
schools,
In discussing tho subject, Too Many
Pupils for Teacher" Mr., Harlan
says that the primary school rooms are
furnished for 81 pupils and the gram
mar school rooms for 40 pupiis to a
teacher, and that these numbers are
too large. Forty primary pupils and %
grammar pupils would enable the
teachers to get much hetter results.
''There is a great deal said about the
Overwork of pupils, but outside tins
circle OF the personal friends of those
who break down, there seems TO be
lttls thought of the overworh OF
teachers. Tins number of good teachers
that are breaking down under tho
strain put on them by the new de-
mands, is matter deserving serious
attention.
1.-The best interests OF both pupils
and teachers demand that the number
of pupils to n teacher be considerably
reduced. In this way more than in any
other the efficiency of our schools can
be increased, -
or reading the superintendent SAYS
three ends should be in view in tearh.
ing it: l., To get the punila to rr.i
well and easily: =, 10 get them to love
reading; 3, to get them into the habit
OF reading as means of culture.
MIR. Harlan treats also Of language,
penmanship and drawing lie iavors
the appointment OF special teacher of
drawing TO instruct the teachers in
that bran ch. 1t would increase the
salary list less than one per cent and
the averBge quality TO the teaching of
drawing easily 10 per cent.
lie considers Huperyisinn by princi
pals a good thing and save most Of
them ought TO spend two hours day
in the class rooms watching the work
Of the children and participating in
the teaching OF the cass teachers.
Some space is given to tho superntend-
ent's reviews and tests. In the year he
made ]. $50 visits 10 class rooms. The
| normal training school at No. is dis
cussed and tho work of MiEH Lewis,
the teacher of pedagogy is commended.
In closing Mr.. Harlan Gays it has
heen n good year in the school. "Ail
have worked together for the better
ment OF tho schools The controlling
motive with all the teachers ms seemed
to be tho moral and intellectual i'm
proyemunt of the pupils. The re!atiuns
between teachers and pupils have heen
| growing more pleasant, and school life
| ia becoming more enjoyable to both.
| The committees have hsen unusually
active in Keeping the buildings In good
| condition and in supporting the school
princinals The interest manifested hy
the ladies' of the New Century Club
has been worry helpful.
More pupils have been in the high
school classes than ever before. Somt
of these pupils have been very studious.
Many OF them have heen fair students.
wish | could say of more Of then
that they have shown proper appre
citation Of their opportunities. The
teachers Of that school have done {
year's faithful work. The
grammar ami primary schools have
without exception bRen kept up TO 1
good standard.
'The improvements that have beer
made have heen maintained in the tls
tails OF teaching and in the spirit o
schuul life. In instruction the Htlor
has heen TO make the puDil observan
ami thoughtful. Kindergarten methods
have heen brought more and more int
primary work.
"All grades of teachers have beer
caught by the spirit of progress, ant
all to a greater or loss degree have beer
inquiring for the better ways in teach
ing.