The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-30
The PuhIic schnnI.

The speech Of Superintendent Powell at
the final meeting of the old Board of
Trustees Of the Washington public schools
clears up the fog of mystery which has
for some time hung darkly above the
schools The recent report of the Senate,
after the methods of Mr. Powell were in
vestigated, created some bewilderment
People naturally asked what the matter
could be; why children about to enter
the high school could not spell, punctuate,
or write legibly, and why some of the
statements In the examination papers
were so remarkably mixed Superlntend-
ent Powell now explains He says. among
other things:
eve have believed in Washington that an ex-
animation does not show the fitness Of a child
for promotion. We believe that the teacher who
has taught child FOR number OF months
year knows better than be shown by an e1-
animation whether not child is prepared for
promotion. whether not he should remain
where he is or be sent to lover grade. Every
teacher knows that he who passes the poorest ex-
animation may be the who is best fitted to
proceed to = higher grade For fourteen years
the teacher has been told tina; in promoting his
the child rather than the standing Of the
TEACHER the school. II in the Judgment of
the teacher the interests Of the child would lie
better promoted in another grade he should be
sef't there albeit he may not be able 10 pass as
good an entrance examination for tina; grade as
others might pass.
Thus at any time children may be found in
grades for Of the studies Of which they
may not be so thoroughly equipped to stand
the test Of a rigid examination. Furthermore,
parents have been allowed voice in this matter;
their Judgment has been taken; they know the
Possibilities Of the child well his ambitions;
child has labored under, Of sickness other
causes OF privation of school advantages. enables
them TO assist the teacher in determining the well
fare Of the child
The latter part of this explanation is
the part that explains. Every teacher
knows that II the judgment of the parents
of Charlie, or Susie, or Jimmie were TO
be the standard OF promotion. there would
never be anything but promotion in the
schools. Some of the children might be
promoted two or three grades at a time
But none OF them would, under any con-
sideration, be made to go back 20 the
lower grade. II that is the plan which
has been followed In the Washington
schools many things become clear and OBJ
vious.
II is quite true that examinations do
not best show the fitness of a child for
promotion. Some children become ner-
vous and excited at such times, and while
good scholars in the classroom, forget all
they ever knew when called upon to an
swer ten question upon which promotion
may depend. 1t is cruel to make whole
year of a child's school work depend upon
such test: and IL is not fair. Promotion
should depend, not upon ability to give
general answers TO few leading ques-
tons at the end Of the year, but mainly
upon the daily work OF the classroom,
as shown in monthly averages. This. how
ever, should not be allowed to determine
the whole matter, since sometimes child
misses half a terms work through Illness
and is obliged TO make IL up in a hurry
or lose a year. The examination should
be a test merely OF the knowledge OF
general principles-the residuum OF infor-
nation which the child must carry into
day by day in the classroom. But TO
abolish examinations entirely would be to
leave out a necessary bit OF drill. 1t is
important that the child should learn SELF
possession. among other things, and since
during his entire life he is liable to be
brought face to face with emergencies in
which he must give proof Of his ability
on-hend. II is Just as well that he should
meet some OF these In his school life
When he applies for a position as clerk
he h liable to be Judged by his first days
work. or his answers to leading questions.
and IL he brings to this test the self
possession. quick wit, and ready speech
needed to pass an examination success
fully. - viii not run the risk Of losing