New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-17
DEFENDS STUDY COURSE.
likes EIGHT-YEAR PLAN.
DIR. Marcel Says Departmental
Scheme Works We'll.

CIV supersntendeut Maxwell devotes a large part
~ lis annual report the condition Of the public
schools for the year ending July 81. SOS which was
made public yesterday, to a defence OF the new
course OF study and the department system OF
study. The formulation and adoption OF tbs new
course Of study we're made necessary BY the terms
~ the new charter The elementary part OF Il is
now a uniform course OF eight years throughout
the city In defence Of the eight-year course DR..
Maxwell says:
me ibaf Il bas "tScked on year to the old
course and 50 has shut many thousahos OF
In the first place. children have been smut OUT
a! children over SIX years OK ase wh1 nats spyiE1
ing chiloren under six) have increased enormously;
d 1 !A7 ne astusi Conditions have been recognized.
The duplicate grades, wherever existing. have been
been. lad the old course continued, IN the gradu-
auug classes OF the sovereign c4uISe, aro ,I no"
Z re proof is mat there will be no break ia tae
transfer Of pupils from the elementary schools 70
Possibly cooking is included among the .'fads and
De argucd, however, that knowledge on the part
Of vomtn Of how TO cook properly IS more neCe rs
community than knowiedee Of history or seog,
rathy or a know ledge Of Almost any otner bTAIeh
inclled o. common consent in the elementary cur
In determining what subjects should be intro
duced INTO the Of study the board OF super
ntendents was guided chiefly oy lne pLII = t
Commissioner Of Education. IN the report OF the
OF ntteeu appointed oS llle ANdtAci-o-
partment of Superintencence ,. =, -, -,
OF the many changes brought about IN the local
schools. probably has been provocative OF
more serious discussion than the wide adoption by
principals Of grammar schools OF ne system o. &c
detrimental instruction substitute for the class
teacher plan. Under the old class method ca
teacher was in charge OF single class TO whicn ne
O. she taught all the subjects Of one grade OhdeT
tho departmental programme several teacherS are
assicned instruct each class in the highest three
or often. IN The highest two years OF tle eie
ncrtary course. The method OF division Is on the
seemingly logical basis % subject rather than OF
groups Of children. II IS interesting 10 note MAJ
a. 0Cr cent OF the principals report that positively
beneficial results have been obtained In ~ out OF
the schools the results appear to be cntirey sat
isfacIory. In but II cases Is there ar expression
schools out OF i52 report that discipline has i'm
proved is entirely satisfactory In 10 instances
The verdict seems 20 indicate that conditions are
either a. good as. az least no worse than, they
rereriiy is there any positive statement that ols-
cipiine is less satisfactory now than II was ioT-
r~erly.
II closing Dr.. Maxwell wrote:
There are two circumstances IN the present condi
ton OF schools which at hrSt siEht may seem
tain class Of teachers-the same class OF teachers
who iu the past sought appointment or promotion
through pUll-are now seeking the came ends
through litigation. This phenomenon Is not serious
vher the Utirants are successful through techni-
-a1frses. means have been found. through the CO
operation Cf tie Board OF Education and the Board
Of Supernterderts. 10 prevent the appointment or
promotion Of the unit and 10 preserve the rights
Of the uertori0us.
Tire other cause OF alarm Is that. owing TO the
reduction made ny the Board Of Estimate tnd Ap-
Tort-onrrerf in the appropriations asked Tor oy re
which have been built with 50 much care ana
labor may BE seriously crippled