The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-15

lows, the exceptions are so low as TO CONFIRM rather
comes naturally that the test for FIRST Ambulance
OF children 10 the public schools be based upon
weight and height in connection with age in
stead Of upon age alone, as now From the re
suits obtained in the ungraded school 1t is hoped
that in time much help may oe given t. back
ward pupils by the study OF individual cases
The physical force Of the child has been found
to vary Noteworthy throughout the school day;
thus, at o'clock in the morning IL is fair, at 10
il is strong. al II decreasing, aud at noon very
low At there Is a slight revival at il is fairly
tinued and closer study along this line may be
Of great value The degree Of physical endur.
STS IS by sG an % ne Ss IN n Shown in
the lowest grade, though the highest degree Of
endurance in the highest school grade is much
higher than the highest in the lowest From
this Il follows that the grading of the pupils
for physical culture exercises should be based ON
the bodily condition Of the children instead of
tons 81 strength shown in pupils OF the same
age and the same mental grade would seem 10
indicate that there should be increased elasticity
in the various schuol courses, particularly AS the
upper grades are reached
II Is held that standards fixed and deductions
made from the examination Of children strictly
American by birth and parentagc may not fit
at all when children of other nationalitics are
examined Scientific investigation is not neccs-
sary IL show that Italian Swedish, Hungarian,
Finnish and other children differ materially in
mind and body from American children. Yet
exactly how and i'll what degree they differ can
not be determined accurately until they are sys-
tcnatically investigated This may point the
way To modification Of the school courses for
the benefit Of children having different racial
qualities. The examining Of truant children
may lead Ia much good on the basis that intense
dislike Of school and consequent triHnCy may
depend largely upon abnormal physical con
dtions which. while not always removable, may
I've modified materially.
With regard 10 the thoroughncss Of the exam
nations II is realized that il Is not feasible and
would not be proper 10 carry them beyond certain
limits, and that much more can be done in some
agencies but the records made by the new de-
partment may suggest and he used as the basis
Of more extended Investigations by the family
physician.
II seems more than probable that the steps
taken by the Chicago School hoard in establish
ing this department is the beginning of sweeping
reforms in the American public school system gen
orally, and in taking the initiative the Chicago
School Board has shown itself ready tn adopt an
advanced position in educational matters. The
value Of such department depends wholly, of
course upon the nature Of the men who attend TO
the detailed and general work. They should be
thoroughly competent and possessed of that
strictly scientific spirit which seeks 10 prove no
theory whatsoever, but 10 learn the facts exactly
as they are, and 10 base a future operation upon
them. DR.. Christopher, the head of the Chicago
department is almost an ideal person for the
place II was due 10 his INTEL gent initiative and
steady persistence that the department was eStab-
lished. Its work is now being conducted by com
petent specialists along lines "a down by him, and
there is no doubt that future Investigations will
equal or exceed in value those which have already
been made.