The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-21
GREAT STEP
IN HENRIC0.
Uniform School System at
Last Adopted.
MODELLED AFTER THE CITY
Written Examinations Have Been Par.
TALLY Abolished and the Monthly.
Standing Scheme Resorted To.
To Teach Morals.
MODELLED AFTER THE CITY

After many weeks Of long and careful
work, the School Board Of Henrco has
finally adopted and promulgated an en-
tirely new system of studies and class
regulat lions for the public schools of the
county.
The changes made are radical In char
acter, and will prove epochal in their eff
feet 1t means change from system
slightly organized to system completely
organized: the evolution of uniformity out
of a mass Of hitherto rnassimilated and
unassociated material. TO all the people
of tho county the movement will prove Of
the utmost benefit and Importance. All
the schools over the entire county VIII
hereafter be graded after uniform sys-
tenn; tho courses. books. hours. regula-
tons. ETC., for long time different and
more or less confused will be the same
al every place, and Will conform to
large extent with those oftthe schools OF
Richmond, into which scholar can then
be promptly graduated. In some cases
consolidation has been effected. Every
where more efficient instruction will be
the result, at the same time that there
will be probably less expense to the
board.
So far as has been found practicable.
the public school system OF Richmond has
been adapted to tho conditions IN the
county. It is an interesting fact that
Henrico promptly follows the lead set ana
partia1ly abolishes the obnoxious written
examinations It Is provided That all pu-
pis. from the Third Primary to the Fifth
Grammar grade, inclusive. who make an
average monthly standing OF seventy-tive
pei cent, and who are not deficient
(standing less than sixty per cent? IN
any subject, shall be promoted Pupils
| in the First and Second Primary grades,
shall be promoted on the recommendation
OF the teacher. when approved BY the
principal. Pupils in tile Fifth Grammar
grade shall take an examination on all
subjects, and for graduation shall be re.
4 quired to make an average or at least
seventy-five per cent, with not less than
sixty per cent. on any subject. together
with a combined per cent. OF not less
than seventy-hve.
In reference to the high school In the
county. the new. regula tons provide as
follows: t
That the intermediate and tinal ex-
aminations, except in the graduating
4 classes, be, discontinued, except as herein.
/ after provided. 49, Tna 2Nl
\ Q. That in all grades below the gradu-
ating classes promotions be made on class
| standing.
That pupils in all the GLASSES, except
| the graduating classes, in order to be
! promoted, shall obtain eighty per cent.
1 in general class standingis a nd~not less
than sixty-fve per cent: on any subject;
nut pupils standing sixty-tlye per cent. or
more, and below eighty per cent on class
standing, shall have the privilege OF tax.
Ing a wr.x. en- examination, In which they
must make not less than seyenty-fve ex-
animation per cent. and not less than
sixty per cent. on any study pupil
who makes eighty per cent. on genera!
class standing, and falls below s!Xty-nve
per cent on only one subject. shall have
the privilege Of taking a. written exam
/ nation on that subject on Whicn no mus
| stand not less than sxty-five per cent!
| 4. That IN pupils monthly reports
class standing shall be given on each
separate study, as well as on all the
i subjects combined as at present.
s. That pupils who are absent as much
4 as twenty school days during the halI-
session shall remain in the grade, Or II
they desire it, take the written examlna-
ton as printed in section 3,
| 4, In the graduating classes OF the
\ Henrlco County High Schools the pupils.
1 In order to obtain diplomas, must average
not less than so per cent. general aver
age, 80 per cent. on examination, and
| not less than 70 per cent. on each sepa-
rate study
I. Any pupil who, in the judgment Of
the principal, obtains the promotion mark
by the use OF improper means, shal not
be entitled to promotion.
| The remainder of the rules and regula-
tions applies to the details OF the school
| life and work and is pretty much the
Same as It is In Richmond. With refer
ence to the punishment OF the pupils
there is the following:
principles and teachers must not
strike pupil, for any cause, with the
hand but may infiict reasonable cor
poral punishment for offences against
tho rules of the schools. Principals must
confer with their teachers and instruct
| them as to the Importance OF exercising
becoming discretion IN enforcing the
rules of the sohoos. - Principals are
authorized In extreme cases TO suspend
| and report at once their action to the
board; provided, that proper effort has
been made to subject the pupil 10 dlsc'-
pline.''
| In view Of the present discussion over
the teaching Of morals in the public
schools Of the section 1t Is interesting
to note the provisions made on this point.
The regulations declare that the moral
| and social culture of the pupils should
be especial care of the teachers. Begin
ming In the first primary grade moral
instruction and influence are given and
exerted In the direction Of obedience.
truthfulness, polteness, punctual'ty.
cleanliness. duties to porents, teachers,
brothers, sisters schoo-mates, and 9TH
ers; the golden rule, kindness the basis
of right conduct, forms of pollteness TO
be practiced at home, In school, and In
public places, protection and care of pub
lie ana private property, and 80 on.
|