The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-10-17

Per cent Of attendance .............-..., 81
The Elective Plan.
Says DR.. Jordan:
have felt for some years that a very rad
fcal change in the course of study for the
high schools was necessary, l think the
course of study if not made wholly elective
ought to be SO arranged that pupils can take
In the main those subjects which they desire
to pursue and which they feel will be of the
most benefit to them in after life. :
One thing is certain that the high schools are
becoming more and more for girls and that
the boys are not taking advantage of the
many opportunities which the high schools
are supposed to present. l have no question
that If an elective course Of study were in
troduced that the attendance would be largely
increased and greater benefits result to the
pupils.A* . = Under the present condition
this would mean thatNthe grades would suf-
fer more than at present and Il cannot indorse
proposition which would have this result.
Industrial Work.
'I do not think it necessary "-says the
superintendent, ITO offer any argument in
favor Of industrial work in the schools -
The difficulty in the music department is
the result Of the lack of singing and tone
ability on the part of the teachers. An
appreciative comment is made on the eff
forts Of the Ladies' Thursday Musicale in
behalf Of the schools and also Of the work
of Mrs. Ada Adams Lockin.
The results Of the piano and picture
fund movement have been gratifying es-
pecially the contributions which the board
has allowed twice year among the chill
dren for renting pianos. The board now
owns thirty-eight pianos and a conserva-
tive estimate of the value Of pictures,
statuary, etc, is more than 1900.
The Pension Fund.
There is now in the pension fund
$5,9O4.1S. 1t IS probable that it will take
three or four years to raise sufficient
money for permanent fund.
Medical Examination.
Says the report:
The plan of medical examination has not
been in use sufficiently long to determine its
value. Some of the objections feared did
not appear and some of the expected advan-
tages have not accrued
More Male Principals.
There is no disposition to disturb eff
ficient women who are in charge of large
buildings, yet more men in the schools are
demanded, not only by the public but by
the best interests Of the schools.
The Truant School and Kinder
gartens.
OF the truancy school the superintend-
ent says:
The continuance of the truant school is as
sured. A more general plan of manual train
ing would probably be advisable. There has
been less truancy than ever before; the mum
Der of cases Of tardiness have been decreased
in number; the value Of the schools is to be
estimated by its far reaching influence upon
the other schools of the city.
The Kindergarten department connected
with the Sheridan school has been largely at
tended and very successful. / am very sure
that the kindergarten at the Sheridan school
should not be abandoned. l hope that 1t will
serve as a nucleus for other schools to which
/ trust will be established in the near future
The Salary List.
The salaries paid are as follows:
High schools-S, $1,000; Z, s1,1OO; 2, s., 1,o5O;
u, $1OO; 5, $3.50; 4S, 5000; s, $3.50; 8, $500; 1,
$3.50; g. 800; 4, $3.50; 8, $500.
Grade schools-3O, $500; 3, $3.50; 329, $7O0; II,
$3.50; SO, $500; 80, $3.50; 42, $500; 81, $780, 32,
$4OO; l, $500.
The salaries Of about twelve others
range from $500 to $500.
Higher salaries are believed by the su-
perintendent to be deserved by the teach
ers of primary rooms
The Teaching Corps.
AS superintendent, supervisors, princi-
pals and teachers 853 were connected with
the public schools during the past year.
OF this number 18 were men.
Speaking of these figures the superin-
tendent says:
1t would seem under these conditions that
the demand that more men be employed in
the schools Is not a radical one. It is not
meant to imply by this that women are not
as good teachers as men, but as / am opposed
to a high school in which all teachers con-
nected with it are men, so l am opposed to
one in which all teachers are connected with
it are women. / think that every pupil In
the high school should at some time in his
course come into the class of an intelligent,
well educated and digniied male teacher.
In closing DR.. Jordan says:
l wish to express to the teachers and pFin-
cipals my appreciation of their faithful work
and Of their loyal and hearty support, and to
assure the board of education OF my desire
to merit their confidence by giving the best
system of schools which 1t is possible for
Minneapolis to enjoy.
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