The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-11
Text Books and course Of study

Text Books and Course of Study
From the Committee on Text Books to
the Board of School Inspectors Gentle
men:
Having carefully examined the bids of
puhllshers who propose to supply text
DOCKS for the schools of ST Paul and
having carefully considered the results of
the work in our schools with the text
DOCKS and materials, at present fin use,
the following is respectfully submitted:
change of text books especially Of
tnose most commonly used. involves con-
siderable expense, and to some extent
Mozks tTat a change In method or plan of work
that e1ten causes loss or an incon-
Venlence. If one book be Supplanted by
another, no better there is no possible
gam and the loss incurred thereby is
Whoiiy unnecessary. Changes. therefore,
should be made only where the books or
series of books in use are so inferior that
teachers and pupils are alike hampered
and mconVenienced. Nearly all of the
text books in use in the grade schools Of
st. Paul are excellent. In support of this
may be cited the excellent arguments of
. IeIed 1 by all the representatives of publish
eTs mat appeared before the Committee
on Text Books on May 81. 1t was not
claimed by one of them that the books
were not excellent, and if it should be
argued that this was simply the courteous
recognition OF the rights of competitors
oy the speakers, it should be further not
60 lhat there were many special COM
mendationS of the books now authorized
No sufficient argument or reason has been
advanced why the larger part of them
should be changed in any way. The books
nave been prepared by distinguished
educators whose great knowledge Of the
SUBJECTS, and whose successful experience
IN the school room have enabled them
70 oHer DOCKS that rank with the very
pest Inc strongest Endorsements that
tney nave received from the most eminent
teacnefs and scholars in America; their
cohtlnued use in a great number of
N. th0f
fayorable consideration.
In the discussion of the merits of the
pookkS, IL has not been seriously claimed
by those making propositions for intro
uuction mere that, with possibly three ex-
ceptlons, the present authorized list is NOT
equal TO those offered as substitutes
In respect to history everyone con-
ceoes nrSt place to John Bach ,McMaster.
among living American historians. hui
mere are those who believe that the logic
troo 4n arrangement and the philosohy of
Ha HIeatment which characterize his United
states History, render the text too diffi-
cuit Tor pupils of the grade schools. The
tsnot Eslue or history, however. lies in its
treatment of causes as shown bv facts
ana OF ehects, as shown BY conditions
and the relation between these nnust he
properly and logically established if the
sluuy OF the subjects is to be of any
value to the pupil. This is the admirshiSs
pan OF McMaster's History nor Is the
language too difficult for the children to
CoIllpIeneno We can find no sufficient
subject A1 VI Ihls
In respect to Music, the books oefarod
aS s substitute for those in use, present
no features that would justify a change
ASIDE from this, the books in use have
I1qt peen finally and fully tested. fhe
Wnole series has not been tried This
taNen IN consideration with the fact that
me tile teachers are just beginning 10 ma -
tt tSI' Iauly, the subject, and that during
lile past year the work has been far roore
succesSIui than ever before 1t follows that
II Mouid De most unfortunate to offer an,r
fadlcal departure from a method IF tren+
ment having the Endorsement of tba bioh
est musical talent in America acn1ain33ad
WIN public school music and in T,b;ct1
our pupils are making admirable nropraSS
Inc primary Physiologies in use are are
not satisfactory M use are
The subject of Penmanshin is oman ~
1ndily objections. A system that enableS
lhe teachers to use successfully nithar AZ
vertical or the slant form of letter Tro'1I5
ceptable NC most ac-
III f seems desirable that, so far as nos
Si!ole' the Board should control the seIoc-
lion lion ana use of supplementary readine IN
otf schools, and in accordance with fhis i
view, a recommendation of certain booI1S .1lS
~ ,II. ,1Ittached TO the accompanying iist '1N'
: i ne 1olloWlng list of books Is resnoo+
Luny presented for adoption. for excIi1Si,co
use, as the regular texts. in the orra y c
s Scnoois OF St Paul for a period of ihrae
TEXT BOOKS