Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-13
The Old and New school Methods Con
traSted.
To the Editor of The Evening Star.

10 the Editor of The Evening Star:
As a public school teacher, with a ner-
sonal knowledge of local school systems
past and present, and, therefore Interested
in the criticisms on the present manage
ment In general and the superintendent in
particular. | would submit a few facts nv
way of contrast between existing methods
and those in vogue fifteen years ago.
First, as to algebra and arithmetic: For
merely. specified number of pages to he
covered during the year, the same limit
Tor all schools of the same grade and no
allowance made for difference in Localities.
AT present, the limit left to the intelligent,
conscientious judgment of the individual
Iedcher, with due consideration to home en-
Vironment of pupils
AS 10 grammar: Formerly. specified
NUMBER OF pages of technical grammer the
same amount for all schools of the same
grade and as test of proficiency the M
pr aplllty TO define terms in book Ian
sudse ana TO illustrate by the stereotyped
sentence from the same source AT pres
ent, language faithfully and critically
taught as vehicle of the child's Thought,
and as result a more intelligent knowI.
edge OF correct English in the oral and
written work of the lowest grades than
was possible formerly in the recitatfons and
grades.
As to penmanship: Formerly. one dozen
absolutely perfect copy books (as specimen
Drlcks OF the whole structure) for the lime
eXhlblt, TO obtain which duplicate books
Were required, correct position of pen and
pupil alike disregarded and time and re-
Eous force OF teacher and pupil wasted.
later, as a result of popular outcry. a s,Id.
den and radical change as to position and
d tyrdnnical fnsiStence upon ramrod hack
bones and pens held at an unyaryfne, anpIs
OF iorty-nve degrees. AT present, a rapid.
!eg1ble. business-Hke penInanship, securad
IN all the primary grades at a minimum ey
pehdltufe of time and without the Iabori-
Gus, nerve-trying effort which charactar-
lied the former method
AS to spelling: Formerly, near the close
OF the term a list of fifty words (origin.
meaning and use unknown assigned To fha
S ae oest spoilers as competitive contest
between schools of the same grade Al
present, lists of words selected from, oil
studies IN the curriculum and given in con-
nectlon with each study as a part of the
daily exercise of the school.
As 10 science work: Formerly inforr,.
tlon gained from reading about things in
nature At present knowledge acquired by,
seeing and handling the objects
as TO the grand total: Formerly. the
basis OF promotion written tests COVERING
three days in June (the hottest month %
the school year., in preparing for which
the pupil exhausted his ingenuity in efforts
10 discover and invent dishonest methods
OF securing the coveted percentage and the
professional worth of the teacher was
gagged by the percentage made nv The
school. At present, the basis of promotion
me teachers knowledge of the ability of
the pupil as shown by his record through
out the year.
Finally, as to those teachers who are
AFRAID of the superintendent who dare
not Freely tell how they are treated bv
MIN, who complain of him and his work =
VINO say that they have been compelled
10 learn new method of teaching every
month and that they are not allowed 70
answer Questions asked by their pupils, {"
let them put these statements In writing.
WIN signatures attached, then let the opin-
In VI nose holding contrary view be
similarly stated and both be placed in The
scales OF Justice, and l venture the predic-
ton that the former will kick the beam.
FACTS