Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-26
SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS.
How They Might he Fitted to Assist
Their Children.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
the following suggestions are believed to
be worthy of the careful considerable of
parents and others DESTROYS of taking ad-
vantage of an opportunity to improve them
selves intellectually. and it is hoped that
you will kindly give space for the same as
well as to those who desire to discuss the
merits or dement's of the plan proposed
Washington has, l believe ever been thu
recognized leader in adopting new methods
for educating the masses. 1t is also doubt
ful II better system of public schools or
a more efficient corps of instructors can be
found in this country. This satisfactory
condition is apparently due to good man
agement and freedom from political inter
ference.
This letter is written particularly in the
Interest of parents who have children in
the public schools, and who are daily. or
nightly rather. appealed to for assistance
in the preparation of lessons. There are
probably few parents who have not been
hampered or embarrassed in trying to aid
their children on account of not being IA
miliar with the present method of teaching
the various subjects. Especially is this
true of arithmetic or number work. In fact
1t often happens that parent, after spend
ing considerable time in correctly solving
a problem by the method fully approved
when ne went to school. is Informed by his
child that that is not the way we are
taught now, and if l hand it in that way l
will be criticised This is annoying to
both, and, under circumstances as just Civ
en-, the hands of the parent literally
tied and this, too, merely for the want
of knowledge of the present methods of in
struction. Pages might be written to fur
Their illustrate the various difficulties under
which the parents labor, but it is believed
that the above statement is sufficient.
As it has been observed that there is a
tendency at the present time to place before
those of mature years whose early educa-
ton was neglected. either through want of
opportunity or lack of application, advan-
tages to further their intellectual progress,
and as there IS already in existence good
system of fairly well attended night schools,
it is suggested as a remedy for the above
mentioned condition of affairs that there be
established what might be called silent
corner or silent class and that an in
vitation be extended to parents and other
adults to be present at the sessions of the
night schools merely as observers Subject,
of course. to such rules and regulations as
may be deemed necessary by the superin
tendent and board of trustees). thus giving
them an opportunity to familiariZe them
selves with the present methods and put
themselves in closer touch with their chill
dren in their intellectual development.
There is another class of persons who
would probably avail themselves of an OPP
portunity of this kind. l refer to those
whose early advantages were so limited and
who still desire to attend school, and who,
if graded strictly according to the present
system, would be placed far down that
they would be reluctant to show their ig
norance, especially so if required to recite.
By such the silent corner would be fully
appreciated.
And there is still another class that would
take advantage of such an opportunity. |
have in mind those holding places in the
departments and who, under the rules of
the civil service, are permitted, after
service of two years or more to appear for
examination for a clerkship. Many of these
have families to support or have such other
sary additional expense of attending Al
private school.
All Of the persons referred to above could
study at home and, of course, would fur
nsh their own text books Such u course,
then, would not occasion the expenditure of
additional dollar. All that is necessary
is a sitting space and a welcome.
Opinions of those interested would doubt
less have weight with the school officials,
to whom the suggestion has been made.
November % 1898. N A. STRAIT