The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-25
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
of Cutting Down Home
study for school Pupils.

study for School Pupils.
The Board of Education at it's meeting
last night took steps toward cutting
down the amount of home study required
of pupils in the High School and in the
sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The
movement is in harmony with the action
of the board at the meeting last week.
when it was decided not to require home
study Of pupils below the Sixth grade. All
the members were present at the meeting
last night. and they conferred with Super
intendent Stuart as to the feasibility Of
cutting down the amount Of work outside
of school hours required of young people
in the higher classes.
At present pupils in the high school are
spending an average OF four hours daily
in work at home. The tendency of the
board was to the belief that two hours
should be enough for pupils in the high
school. and not more than one hour in
the higher grades. 1t is not expected that
this curtailment can be carried out with
cut some loss in the ornamental educa-
ton of the children. but the members of
the board believe that the loss would be
trifing beside the gain in health and in
sound mentality. The members discussed
the recent failures of the high school foot
ball team to win games. and considered
ii 4 dangerous symptom OF overstudy re-
sulting in undeveloped physiques. No de-
cisive action toward reducing the hours
fer home study was taken, but Superin-
tendent Stuart was instructed to give the
matter his attention and submit recon-
mendations as soon as possible. 1t is be-
lieved that much will be done by cutting
down part of the time spent in recita-
ton. and giving 1t to the pupils for study
during school hours. Ii is expected that
all home study will be OF such charac-
ter that the children can master the les
sons without asking assistance from par
ents or older friends.
The question of field work." as jaunts
for nature study and the study of govern
mental branches are called, was taken up.
1t was practically agreed that not more
than one such expedition should be made
by a class during each year. and then only
after the most careful planning. The sub
ject was referred to the Committee on
Text Books and Course, which will report
soon.
AS several children had been hurt while
disputing the right of passage through the
turnstile at the Johnson school the board
ordered that it be replaced by a gate. II
was decided to ask Congress to pass new
compulsory education law in place of the
present defective enc, which cannot be
enforced. Congress will also be asked to
authorize the appointment OF tTuant ofi-
Ger and an assistant and also eleven med
zeal inspectors at a salary of $500 year
each. The latter officers would look after
the sanitary condition of the schools and
the physical condition of the pupils.
The question of whether admission to
the high school from the eighth grade
should be by examination or by transfer
was considered, but no action was taken
1t was decided that the board should fur
nish free text books to the various public
night schools in the district. Leaves Of
absence for three months from November
l were granted to Sarah F. Robinson.
teacher in the fifth grade at the Bright
wood school, and to Catherine W. Koontz,
teacher in the fourth grade at the Towers
school.