New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-12
PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
DEAN RUSSELL SAYS HOME STUDY CANNOT
RE CUT OUT-GERMAN AND AMERI-
CAN METHODS COMPARED.

TO cut home work is absurd" said Dear
Russell Yesterday in talking at Teachers College
concerning the growing prejudice against the study
required OF many children outside Of school hours
There is agitation abroad which in California has
gone so far 10 get law passed in the state
legislature forbidding the study by children Of
school. But the ahsurdity of this is. in the view
OF the college dean. eYtreme. 1t has been done,
he said. with consideration Of the why's or
WheretoreS." and, in order 70 prevent such legisa
tton he Jrsed that the community be encouraged
understand the difficulties Of the public schools.
toth for its own enlightenment and that ~ the
wants
he objected To the method Of American schools
n having the lessons studied at home and recited
at school In Germany. he said. there Is no such
thing Rotations Instruction hours is the term
used there. The school time the teacher spends in
instruction Home study depends the nature Of
the school work. he maintained. II the time in
school is occupied in instruction, home work is
comparatively easy. Tho trouble with the Ameri-
school is that home work consists OF
problems difficult to solve hence the strain that
comes in it, Teachers should learn systematic
the work IN school and then homo stuay to
confirm. strengthen and supplement 1t. TO give
home work Of such A kind that the child should
main IN doubt 10 whether II is right is time
wasted The child IS apt 10 gain bad habits
good
What Of the length of home study periods in
the early grades up to eight years nothing should
work AZ home IN the second grade is no crime. As
the child grows older the amount OF study can be
safely increased. From half an hour at the start
up 10 two hours I'm the eighth grade, should say,
was all any one had right to expect
NO, | DO not approve OF bridging from the kim
dergarten TO nine years. The healthy, normal child
is ready for regular school at six.
What about vacation study? Why. children read
not be guided in their reading Ghiidrca play
all the time Why should they not play in
wholesome fashion instead OF initiating the
drunken and making believe they thieves?
If guided they Will get value from play. u
the principle OF the summer play grounds. The same
IS true OF study. n they read IL IL better they
read something worth reading than haphazard stun
IF many subjects are taught many subjects
the system is wrong: The danger is not in the
number Of subjects, but IN the tendency TO keep
them apart This Is largely dependent on the
teachers. II many teachers can work together
one, no matter how many subjects. the system Is
IDEAL The danger lies In teaching subjects and
not teaching children. but the teachers bounded
with examinations subjects. and they cannot
get II out of mind But advancing right
along and the difficulties will I'm time be solved
The New-York school system, because II IS big
and complex. IS difficult 10 coordinate. but the
teachers and sup. rvi-ors working constantly
perfect f. There many critics who don't
understand the situation.
How 10 bring the teachers and public in touch
the opportunity Of the daily press. but the press
usually takes up the matter sensatonally."