The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-05

The examination can test the knowledge
of facts Of subject and the ability OF
| the pupil to think in the subject A ques-
! ton may ask for statement of facts;
( it may present n condition and ask for
/ the conclusion, based upon the previous
/ study Of the subject; it may outline an
! effect and ask for its cause. In all such
/ directions the examinations is legitimate
and valuable. 1t Will in these particulars.
/ give quite accurately the students abil-
/ ity. On the other hand. no written test
/ can determine proficiency in school infu-
| ences. which produce culture Of mind and
! heart quickened notions Of obligation.
! sensibility to right impulses. manly and
womanly qualities, ability to express or
| ally the thought in mind, ability Ito think
4 on ones feet" all of which are very es-
! sential elements IN good education. The
moral culture and physical development
| so essential 70 well rounded education are
| not measured by the written examination.
/ The carpenters square would not be ap-
/ preciated as a means of measuring, II
! placed in the hands Of the clerk behind the
| counter. The clumsy lumber rule is wen
adopted to its purpose but would be use
angles. Each instrument finds its utility
when used in its proper place. So exam
/ nations find their utility when used in
I their legitimate sense. Let them test
| what they can properly test and they full
| III the first function.
As a teaching exercise the examination
| has an important place. The teacher does
| her work best who IS most intimately &C
| quainted with the ability and progress Of
/ her pupils. She should use such legitI-
mate means as VIII best scQuaint her with
| these conditions. one Of these means is
4 the written examination, not given that
/ she may compute the exact fraction Of per
/ cent which each pupil makes, but that
/ she may read carefully the manuscripts
! and learn from them how well her teach
fEg has succeeded in impart.ng lnforma-
/ ton and developing power. One manu-
! script may show weakness in knowledge
/ of important facts; another. lack Of pro-
+ fcicHcy n reasoning, another a deficient
expression q a correct idea: etc. All this
I information Is of untold value 20 the
/ teacher. who EIu know better which pu-
/ pills need her special attention and in
what respect they need Il.
L should not BE- understood that this
/ s. the only source Of her Information. bar
IS che OF the many sources.
The confidence in ones power ,hs op-
portunity 70 express ones thoughts. TIE
drii. IN written expression. etc. all come
as good results from the written exauina-
ticn
When properly useH. and not abused
( outside q the school rom. thu sxau1ina-
tlon offers no greater source a dread %
the pupI who faithfully and honestly
{ does lis best, than do the chores about
+ tne house Or an GRAND 20 a aesr-bT store
u Is To, a. uufrquen, occurrence that
an honest. but over anxious parent zayE
% ne T VAN uy child alz8os; every
f day that h can no pass bis examinations
unless be 90 TaoTe studying Ths error
q ~ honest parent e. ore = The causes
- The dread q examinations. TIE chE6
hears TIE swf1l warning Day hr dav.
u--E the thought % cancellations -
cones = task - be frssdes ~ TIE chEd
work sor ~ sake - za-k. each dosnE his
res. ls the srlTst - p-oper school work
T-nEs- s1ca r,lrzsta-cea these aupasre
evils u1 result in good ard serve -Ae
parqsss In e5ueaslon Which they wers S.
/ tsa6e5 20 serre-
Rave paced L AAass q proper can