Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-21
HIGH SCHOOL STUDY MARKS
Board of Education Holds Animated Debate
on the Topic.
BLAMEs TEACHERS FOR THE FAILURES
superintendent Required to Report
Hereafter on the work that IL
being Done by Tutor and
student Alike.

Hereafter the Board OF Education pro-
poses to keep a close check on the quality
OF service rendered by the acher in the
high school. This resolution, made by ].
]. Smith and seconded by Holman, was
passed last night, no one dissenting:
That the superintendent furnish each
member OF the board a report upon the
conditions in the high school. showing the
number OF teachers, number of classes
taught. by each, the number of pupils in
each class, the number Of failures In each
class and the grade taught by each teacher,
said report to be twice each year.
The action was taken after a prolonged
discussion during which alleged delinquency
on the part Of certain high school teachers
was dwelt upon at length. Not only we're
the instructors accused Of incapacity by
members Of the board, but partially and
favoritism as we'll. Member Mcintosh
started the trouble with a resolution di-
recting that the system Of credit marks be
restored to what 1t was during the first
half Of the school year. He said that en-
forcement Of the new rule, made by the
board, had caused much anguish among the
students and that "multitudes had been
moved almost to tears after a recent OK
animation.
Question of Credit Marks.
It developed in the talk that followed
that there has long been a board rule that
daily recitation marks shall count for one
half and examination marks for one-half
In the standing Of the students, but that
until the last examination the rule never
was enforced. During the recent rule re-
vision 1t had been spoken Of, and Superin-
tendent Pearse asked, II It were a good rulo,
why 1t was not used. He said 1t would be.
Previously daily recitation marks have
counted for two-thirds and examination
marks for one-third in the final standing.
Member Christie said that he understood
that out Of a senior class of seventy, thirty
had funked at a recent test. This thing
ought to be. Investigated" declared Dr..
Christie, "and II we have teachers that can
not enthuse a class Of students so that at
least two-thirds can pass an examination
creditably, l think they are teachers we
ought to get rid of, no matter who they
are. When they can't instill inspiration
into more than two-thirds of a class 1t is
time they ought to quit"
I'VE must remember hat the RESPONSE
bility must be borne by the pupil and the
parents as we'll as by the teachers" said
Member Mcintosh.
Smith After the Teachers.
81 heartily concur in some Of the things
DR.. Christie has said,' asserted Member
Smith. Il have been in favor for some
time Of calling some of the high school
teachers down on the carpet"
Superintendent Pearse tried to explain
that the complaint referred but to a single
study and went into a dissertation concern
ing the merits Of the original question, but
the storm continued to brew. Mr.. Smith
said he had asked for and received not long
Il n HO q Rannrf 81 m 1
This examination was before the rule
was enforced" he said. at shows that a
large umber of children fail, particularly
in German. The number Of failures are
beyond all precedence. 1t is so great that
1t is preposterous. II the teachers we
have employed in the high school cannot
get their pupils in condition to pass ex-
aminations we ought to let them go. Not
only this, but am told that some teachers
favor certain pupils in the markings"
Asserts Proof of FavOritIEm.
did l understand you to say that favor
itism is being shown" asked DR.. Christie.
"You aid. and / have proof to back my
assertions" replied Mr.. Smith. This started
DR.. Christie on a forcible announcement of
Partially, which he illustrated by an in
cldent that came under his observation a
lew years ago OF a boy receiving W In q
Latin examination, while his companion
who translated the Latin for him was
marked So.
BY motion of Mr.. Holman the rule Of equal
credits for recitations and examinations
was suspended and the Mcintosh amend
ment adopted. Then Mr.. Smiths motion
was put and carried Just before adjourn
Ement.
Truan Omcer's Report.
A report that caused considerable sur
prise and some comment was that made by
Truant oficer Will Parker, In part 1t read;
From February 2S to April IS 1 looked up
308 cases Of absence. Shoes and clothing
were furnished for four boys and three
girls. Central, Lake and Long schools
helped to supply the needed articles.
In prosecuting tobacco dealers who sell
10 minors and In prosecuting parents who
do not send their children to school,. L do
not have any malice or hatred toward
them, but l do hate the wrong things that
they do as well as their neglect I'm seeing
that their children have a chance TO gel
a good education.
It is just as necessary to stop the chill