Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28
Public School Examinations.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
one Of the differences to be drawn from
Superintendent Powelrs defense of the pub
lie school system is that an examination of
the child shows very little if any of the
benefits conferred on the child by the
school, An examination may be unreason-
ably technical or 1t may be reasonably prac-
teal. Questions in an unreasonable tech
meal examination may be so presented that
practically nothing will be brought out that
shows that the pupil has an acquaintance
with the fundamental principles of a subject
or that shows the scope of the knowledge
or the subject acquired by the pupil, or
what phase of the subject has been ap-
propriated and digested by the pupil or
whether the pupil can practically apply his
knowledge. Pupils who have only that
knowledge called for by an unreasonable
technical examination will not have that
depth of knowledge of the fundamental
principles of subject that will fit them for
the practical duties of life
practical examination should do three
things for the pupil: First, it should test
the scope of the pupils knowledge of the
subject; second, it should show definitely
what Kind of knowledge of the subject has
been appropriated and digested by the pupil
and has thus become a fixture; third it
should show how the pupil can practically
apply the knowledge of the subject gained
In the school room. For the teacher such
an examination may acquaint her with her
own points of weakness in imparting knowl-
edge to her pupils, 1t shows her the defects
in the pupils knowledge of the subject, it
enables her to form an idea of the develop
ment OF the pupils mind by reason of the
instruction she has impaired. and it will aid
her in deciding to what extent her pupils
have ability to practically apply the knowl-
edge acquired by them, and thus she is
better prepared to say that A or B is COM
petent for the work of the next grade
Examinations should be held at least
quarterly, but monthly examinations would
produce the best results. because then the
teacher. after finding the weak points in
to the work of applying the proper instruc-
ton to remedy the defect. and If she is not
progressing In the art Of imparting knowl-
edge she can adopt more adrot and prac-
teal means to instruct her pupils If pupils
knew that al the end of each month or
quarter they had to render an account of
what they had done in the school room they
would have something to stimulate their
exertions.
record during the month, quarter or year
but most people know that one who pos
sesses knowledge that cannot be applied
when necessary is in the position of a lum-
Der dealer who has a quantity of rotten
lumber on hand for sale.
School examinations are guides to the
teacher and parent that show how and
to what extent the pupils mind is develop.
Ing as the child passes through school, and
we regard practical examinations as being
the best test to bring out the knowledge ac-
quired by the pupil in the subject and also
the best means Of showing the ability of the
pupil to make a practical application of the
knowledge received in the school room.
JOSEPH H. STEWART