The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-08
Debate on Adding
Psychology to List
of Studies.
RECOMMENDATION ADOPTED.
Order for Additional Sala-
ries to Principals
Turned Down.

Certain members of the school COM
mittee are of the opinion that psychol-
ogy is not a necessity in the curriculum
of the public schools of Worcester, and
they expressed themselves to this effect
in no undecided tones at last nights
meeting of the school committee.
The fun started when the committee
on teachers submitted a report trans
hitting, without recommendation the
recommendation of the committee on
evening schools that George E. Part
ridge be employe as substitute teacher
in psychology in the evening high
school until Jan. l, 1900. salary to be
placed a 81 per hour. DR.. Carver moved
that the recommendation be accepted,
and the motion was seconded.
DR.. Duggan was the first to offer an
opinion on the matter He was of the
opinion that psychology had no place in
the list of studies that should be taught
in the public schools more especially in
the evening schools He considered the
primary object of evening schools is to
instruct in the elementary branches of
the studies which may be used to best
advantage by pupils who have limited
opportunities for securing an education.
He was firm in the belief that a study
of this sort is intended for the higher
institutions of learning and should not
be included in the course of study in the
public schools.
DIR. Finn voiced the sentiment of DR..
Duggan. Rev. Mr. Hague wanted to
know who the people are that want to
Ia 10 Il, . -
study would require a pretty good foun-
dation 10 start with, and wanted to
know where the pupils will come from.
DR.. Bray explained that the matter
had been discussed in the committee on
evening schools and it was decided to
give the matter a trial in the evening
school before making recommendation
for the day schools.
DR.. Carver explained that the recon-
mendatior was merely experimental
and involves a comparatively small out
lay Of money. Supt Carroll also spoke
at some length in explanation, saying
that the course is one that many teach
ers in the public schools are anxious to
take w and one that is invaluable at
the present day in handling children to
the best advantage Eic also explained
that the expense al present is SO a week
although pupils are anxious to add an
other hour each week
DR. Duggan refused to change his
opinion OIL the matter He understood
that many of those taking the study
were not graduates of the norma
schools, and, as there is an unwritter
law providing that all teachers. in Wor.
cester shall be normal school gradu-
ates, he could see no sense in Worces-
ter paying for education of teachers
who go outside to teach. Henry F. Har.
ris does not favor the Introduction OF
psychology.
Mr.. Gallagher wanted to know what
psychology really means as taught
Before any one had a chance to ex-
plain Dr.. Underwood jumped to his
feet and characterized the whole dis
cussion as ridiculous. He said the com
mittee on evening schools had asket
TO have the course continued until Jan
l at an expense of less than $40. The
amount of pirate and prattle INDUCED
in by some over this comparatively
trivial matter, while matters involving
the expenditure of thousands of dollars
go through without murmur, was dis
gushing to him.
Mr.. Johnson clinched the matter by
quoting the rules, which give the com
mittee on evening schools authority L
add such studies as they deem yhN,
to the course of study. He explail1eC
that the class includes "a persons
whose average age is q years. The cos
involved in adopting the recommends