The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-30
sTENoGRAPHY ~ THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
A Demand for Instruction In the study. which
Il Being Met-Its Value.

The Introduction Of shorthand into the public
schools. which was tried ms an experiment some
time ago in Chicago and Brooklyn, has been
watched with interest by school superintendent
In other places, and there are indications that
similar instruction may be given In many Of the
smaller Cite, of the country. II Is not at all
unusual to find stenography taught In night
schools. bur for various reasons the progress Of
night school pupils has not been entirely salts
factory. on the other hand, the advancement
made by students in day classes. for example In
the commercial high schools of the Borough Of
Brooklyn, Is said TO be extremely satisfactory
and to Justify the opening Of similar shorthand
courses elsewhere.
In the high schools Of Chicago this year nearly
800 young persons are enrolled i'm the steno-
graphic department, while in the schools Of
Brooklyn the attendance Of stenographic stu
dent, Is nearly twice that number. 1t is re-
ported that in Chicago applications for nd
mission to the shorthand classes are so numer-
Gus that the project is likely to be- greatly ex-
tended before the close Of the school year.
There the senior pupils devote four days u week
10 shorthand instruction and the rest OF their
time 10 ordinary studies. II is believed by the
faculties OF the schools that by devoting specific
DAYS to the subject pupils are less likely to lind
the study mOnOtuuOus.
One reason why the progress Of shorthand
pupils IN day classes II nOtiCeubly better than
that of those ia the night schools il that the
latter, by their Inability 10 attend day school,
have not, III many cases, received Il rudlInen-
tary education. and consequently lack the
knowledge essential 10 even moderate Success
az stenOgraphers. IL has been shown also
that the duration Of the night term l. too short
70 make a stcnograVhic course what should
be. Nevertheless, the attendance at the night
classes Is large, ANA young men are now hold
Ing places as amanuenses whose ilrst instruC-
ton in lien tracks" was received there.
SnHuklnH nI fIA Nnlla pf such IA tplpNa ia
the. public schools "a veteran stenograI her
said recently 10 a SUN reporter:
Free tuition In shorthand Is certainly an
excellent thing for young people, provided
the latter are adequately equip ed with other
knowledge 70 appreciate 1t and benefit by il.
IL that condition is not COMPLIED with the
pursuance Of Il stenographic course Is not only
absolutely useless but positively harmful.
which every one. whether he intends 10 be-
come a stenograuher or not. must be familiar
In order 10 make his way IN life. There never
was a time when SCI much was expected Of a
stenographeT in an oiliCe as there l. now, and
greater proficiency l. REQUIRED in New York
who could take diCtation az a fair rate of speed
ana transcrlbe his notes in a reasonable length
OF time was looked uIon as a capable stenog-
ttuentlv and accurately every word suuken.
but no flaws must exist in the spelling and
punctuation. The chief reason hat 80 many
stenoRraG hen are ulemUloyed to-day is that, |
when they began TO learn pot hooks. they did
not possess the proper elementary ground
vork-a thorough common school education. |
In other words they lack the mental ability
OF efficient clerks.
There has been some doubt as to the COM
potency of the teachers in our night schools to I
imrart to pupils a practical idea ~ S'cnographv. /
People are 10 hc found who dispute the right
some Of the teachers to be- called verbatim |
reporters. A. Q matter Of fact, however, IL
really Inatt"rs little whether tho instructors
themselves nr" or are NOT expert stenographers.
SO long ls they understand clearly tho elements
o. shorthand and can teach them. II must not
hc thought that full-ncdcod reporters can be
graduated from Q public school. Such an idea
would ~ ridiculous. shorthand students in
H." public schools should not oXpcct up0n
cr1du1'iuG - p" able 10 report faultlcsslv an
address by Bishop Potter or Chalncpv NJ Do
They may, however. b" skilfui enough
~ ~" art a. tuk" d~iC'a'.pu in an Office. and In
WY gradual" become eyDort. There h !
1o question that st"nogruphy Is helpful 10 any
who masters IT, The most important thing
To- consider is whether The subject will inter-
with tho study NJ other branches II greater
iIl-ruUNd Importance"