The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-05-08

should be practiced so that there might
| be saving in some branches by either
! disseminating certain studies or by the
dismissal of some special teachers OF
supervisors
This committee was authorized to IN
vestigate the system of supervisors and
make such recommendations as seemed
wise and in the interest of true econo-
my and for the public welfare. The
committee believe it to be the supreme
duty of this city to give all children the
best educational advantages in the most
economical manner, consistent with
good results, so that they may become
useful and honorable citizens.
The committee appointed by your
| honorable body last fall consisted of
three aldermen and three councilman,
|, and we have tried, to the best of our
ability, from information that we re-
ceived to render this report.
1t has taken this committee over four
and one-half months to investigate and
patiently hear all those who have wish
ed to be heard, and to express them
selves on this subject and the diversity
of opinions We're of such different ma
lures, which had to be carefully con-
sidered before we could come to any
definite conclusions, During this time
the committee has held some fifteen
public meetings and also had appear
before us the superintendent OF the
schools and members of the board of
education, so that they also might ex-
press the efficiency of the work desired
to be carried on
Also, the members of the committee
had numerous private interviews with
interested citizens who have the welfare
of the schools at heart, and the testimo-
ny heard during the investigation COW
cred some one hundred and forty type
written pages.
The members of this committee are
frank to say that they have received a
great deal of knowledge in reference to
our schools which we may not have
possessed when we first went into this
Investigation, and we are also of the
opinion that more citizens would have
taken advantage and come before this
committee and testified were IT rot for
the criticisms and cartoons published
by some of our daily papers, particular
ly so if their testimony was against the
present board.
During the Investigation 1t was hint
ed that to some extent the supervisors
in giving their particular lessons make
the teachers feel uncomfortable in the
presence Of the scholars by the impor-
lance attached to themselves, which, in
our opinion, must be embarrassing to
the teachers, and such spirit is not
conducive to good feeling between the
supervisors and the teachers.
We are also deeply impressed with the
fact that the system of instruction is
overburdened, especially in the primary
grades, in our schools; too many
branches being taught. such as chem
istry physics, astronomy, elementary
science and nature studies-thipgs
which in our opinion, should be left to
the higher branches and classes to cope
with. a9al iH
These studies also increase the task of
the teachers to such an extent that they
feel themselves, at times, insufficient for
the work.
We are also of the opinion that the |
committee were barred from obtaining !
valuable information from the teachers |
employed in the schools by the apparent |
fear which existed on their part of the |
which prevented their tes-
timony before the committee.
MUSIC.
Your committee approve the teaching !
IF music, but In their judgment the sum
If $1,000 year seems rather large |
sum to expend for that purpose. and we
pn1ll1 he |
oracticed and inaugurated in this
branch without any injury to our
schools, 903A
We also took into consideration that
such cities as Newark, Springfield,
Worcester, Brooklyn and Providence,
which also employ such instructors, do
lot pay one individual such a sum for
heir services. and we are of the opin-
on that the teachers of the several
lasses are the ones held responsible for
aid instruction under their care, as the
supervisor spends only one-half hour
,er month with each class, In making
he above statement we mean no dis
to the supervisor, who we
eel, is qualified to fill that position.
DRAWING.
Your committee approves Of drawing
s a branch of public education, but
re opposed to all color work in either
rayons, water or oil colors, Of any kind |
We recommend that mechanical draw
lg be introduced in the two higher
lasses only, in our public schools.
In 1898 there We're employed two SUI
ervisors, one receiving $500 and the
ssistant $3.50 per year Since then one
as been dropped, and only one super
isor employed, with a salary of $1,500
year, saving Of 81, $50 to the taxpay-
rs.
We are not supposed, or expected to
reduce all artists from the instruction
eceived in this branch in our schools,
ut, however, we do believe that in
)me unpromising cases. drawing might
2 discontinued, especially so, if the
'holar was found to have difficulty in
coping up with the Others in the more
'sential work of the class. ~
SEWING.
The committee recommend that the =
struction of sewing, as now establish
in our schools be continued. One
ason for sustaining this branch is
that all mothers are not gift
or qualified in this branch and we |