Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1901-05-17
A PROMISING
EXPERIMENT.
Exposition of One Of the Many
Weaknesses of Our Pub
lie Schools.

D. w. Tomlinson. President OF the
Board Of Education at Batavia, N. r..
says:
1t is usually conceded that the graded
school has within itself a tendency to
become clogged. The clogs are little
children and young people who have
become confused. b~ewildered, discour-
aged, crushed. Their final and inevi-
table disappearance is the principal
part of the tragedy Of the graded
school. A second great element in the
graded school tragedy is the break
down of teachers who are overstrained
in the attempt to force along an OBJ
structed system. Another deplorable
result is the injury done to those who
are retarded In their efforts 10 acquire.
interest once chilled or destroyed Is
difficult of resurrection. If even pos
sibIe. N Mo- 0AhE
sThose evils are known and conceded;
and their REMEDY is the question now
uppermost. in the minds of educators
and philanthroplsts. Some distinct
efforts have been made to save the in
terest and the careers Of the brighter
pupils by disengaging them from those
not endowed with equal q~uickess OF ap-
prehennsion. This move Is but parti-
ally successful; for where it succeeds
in disengaging Its subjects It does so
at some sacrifice of continuity of edu-
cation. On the other hand, It practi-
cally worries the greater multitude Of
the discouraged; and It does not entire
ly relieve the strain on the teacher.
So far the argument considers only
the disadvantages OF education en- n'dsse
But on the other hand sound educa-
tlonaf philosophy recognizes a great
stimulus and positive benefit in num-
bers; and the problem Of the hour is
how to get all those great benefits with
out the well-known destructive concom-
itants. So great and apparent is the
necessity Of organization. SO manifest
are its advantages, there IS practically
no ate mpt to lind relief in disintegra-
ton and chaos. 1t is postulated that
the graded school must exist; the only
question is its relief from every des-
tructive strain.
Individual attempts at sel~f-protection
have led to the building up of various
kinds Of special schools and to nom
education. And now compulsory edit
cation steps in to arrest the latter. The
general and complete relief of the
graded school is a question that can be
no longer eVadeo.
AT the foot of the Hill Of Endeavor. s
oYoung One, look upward and see
The shine Of the prize
That dazzles the eyes
With the CLEAN of the glory to be-
Three years ago the board Of educa-
ton Of Batavia, N. T.. began an ex-
pertinent looking to such complete re-
lief. Their success has been such
that they are still carrying IT on with
the greatest confidence; and it is at
tracing much attention. They did
not deem it wise or necessary to dis
turb the general framework OF the
graded school or its essential plan.
The grades are still as they were, and
there has been no change in the course
Of studies Nor did they find it nee
essary 10 make any addition TO the ex.
pense; en- the contrary some saving has
been made n reducing the number O
rooms. heir experiment consisted
N trying tie use Of larger grade-rooms
into which twice the usual number o
children could be assembled under tw'
teachers ere teacher to conduet all TIL