New-York tribune., 1906-04-18
MAXWELL FOR REFORM
SOME RADICAL IDEAS.
Calls Paid Boards of Education the
'WOrst Possible.

DR. William H. Maxwell. City superintendent of
Schools in an address at Teachers College last
night made several radical recommendations for
reform in the OF study prescribed for stu
dents desiring become teachers. He criticised the
small boards education in several of the larger
cities of the United States. and said that they must
necessarily be paid. and that paid board or edu-
cation must be 1.-The worst possible. He Also spoke
against the annual commencement exercises in the
various schools. which he called stunts where
parents may their children perform. In place
of these he recommended the establishing of va
rious times during the year when parents may VISIT
the schools and see the children at their regular
work
DR.. MaxweT's address given before the East
ern Public Education Associations. the ninth an
nual conference OF which began this city
terday. The conference. which will last throughout
the week, is under the auspices of the Public Edu
cation Association. the City History Club, the
Round Table and the Women's Municipal League
of New York City. The general subject for discus
sion and lecture during the week is Education as
Related to Social Needs" and to DR.. Maxwell had
been assigned this complete subject which he spoke
on in many phases. Dr. Maxwell said in part:
one of the latest reforms is secure small boards
serve uncer small board / haven't made up my
mind that small board is the best thing and I
education placed in the hands of committees is
the best thing The attempt is being made In every
city where there is small boards to have it paid
and paid boards will be the worst possible boards
kind we must be certain as TO its iltn,ete success
| believe that sound scholarship must form the
for the teachers TO learn n how to teach / believe
thoroughly, and must urge IL on you. that the pro
IeSSioIlaI training OF teachers be put the
same basis as that of medicine law. Students
VINO expect TO be teachers must give Their entire
time to the study of how TO be teacher and must
not devote their time to anything else.
DeheXe IN revival of the old methods of al
ioMIns M lhe parents to visit the schools and see
What the children are really doing in their work.
] know many of you opposed TO this method
and helieye that parents should be in the
mnent day when the children do stunts which
w NAT should he done is to get the parents interest
what the teachers and children doing Days
and see the children at work
The address of welcome was made by Samuel t
Dutton. superintendent OF the Teachers College
Schools. Miss Julia Richman district superintend-
ent of schools. also delivered address, speaking
on The Opportunities of the East Side"
AT the opening session of the conference in the
afternoon the meeting held at De Witt Clin-
ton Park. on invitation of Moses Herman Com
missioner OF Parks Of Manhattan. Mrs Henry
Parsons director OF the ChiIdrenr School Farms
of Manhattan and Richmond spoke on -Four
Years Growth Of the First Children's School Farm
or New York City" Her son, Henry Parsons. ir.,
delivered lecture on the work done. illustrated
with stereopticon views
The work of the school farms which is entirely in
teaching horticulture and agriculture to the chit
dren is confined principally TO the children In the
Park is situated -Four Years have been Spent In
farm school work and the result Is said to be ex-
children in the growing and caro- of vegetables and
The conference of the Eastern Public Education
Associations will continue during the week. To
day will be spent principally in visiting schools and
receptions. Tomorrow there viii be lectures at
the City Club in the morning. and at night, at the
speak on The Teaching OF Ethics in the Schoois'
On Friday the conference will meet at Berkeley
dren will be discussed.