The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-12

DAY OF the ConNenllon oi lnt american
Institute OF Instruction opened with
general session in Woolsey hall, the pa
pers on school problems being preceded
by a musical program.
Superintendent Walter III. Small OF the
public schools OF Providence read the
first paper. his topic being The Prob
lens OF Rights at School,"
MR.. SMALLS ADDRESS.
Mr.. Smalrs paper was In part as fol-
lows:
across either ocean the last point of land
Is taken as the point of departure from
which the casting or westing OF her
public school matters that a point OF de-
parture should be established from time
10 time from which our casting and west.
ing may be reckoned. To my mind that
point Is the recognition OF the rights OF
all parties involved In the school policy
the public which supports the schools
the children who form the raw material,
and the teachers who turn out the more
or less finished product.
"Soon after Dorchester established her
free public school, IL was discovered that
these three inter-related parties had
rights which demanded adjustment, and
among the duties imposed upon the war;
dens In l64b was this. ito judge of and
end any differences that might arise be-
tween master and scholars or their par
ents.'
Failure TO recognize these rights has
been the source OF most school troubles
during the 261 years since that fact was
discovered. AS the time allowed for THE
discussion is short shall present these
rights as a series of propositions without
any very extensive demonstration.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PUByIC.
First The public has the right TO re-
ceive for every dollar invested a dollars
worth of return In buildings, In equip
ment, In service, In mental and moral de-
velopment OF the boys and girls whom
they educate for future citizenship.
Second, The public has the right that
its schools in time and tendency shall
conform reasonably to it's local conaitions
nA nd r,ana rod hxst ha
sensus OF public opinion. Every live
teacher or school official has in mind an
ideal school which grows out of the real,
but this ideal school should not be push
ed too rapidly to the front. Public opin-
lon will not keep pace with IT., The real
school is always little in advance.
Third. II has the right TO demand
that we give our undivided attention 70
the business for which they pay us. that
physical. nervous or mental power should
not be exhausted upon other matters 10
the detriment OF the schools: that we
keep abreast OF the times; that we grow
mentally; that we use vacation in lay
Ing In reserve or pervous energy for
the next school year.
,n1,Ira "Fo,nrth It has a right to fair
ports. visitations or Inquiries. II has
right TO frank. courteous treatment I'm
these visitations or Inquiries
Fifth. The part OF the public vitally
Interested, the parents. has a right 10
minute knowledge OF the individual
pupils belonging TO them. I'm schlar-
ship. department, attendance. honestly
given without fear or favor: the right
10 have its children controlled in school
neither sent home. TO the superntend-
ent, nor out upon the street, except In
extreme cases.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PUPILS.
"First-He has the right to equality,
the right that he should be given an
equal chance with all other pupils. TO
show what he knows and what he does
not know. l allude here TO the tend
ency OF all teachers in all grades to
call on the bright pupil three times TO
the slow pupil once.
"Second-He has the right that as he
advances in grade the traditions. esti-
mates and prejudces OF his previous
teacher shall not be passed on with
him. II is n cumulative poison in the
school body as lead is In the physical
f"Third-It is his right that the teach
er shall have a sufficient knowledge of
child life and child tendencies. OF bodi-
ly and mental growth, that she may
Judge him with probable fairness as to
nutrition, sensitiveness, stubbornness
working power.
"Fourth-It is his right to be recog-
nized as old as he is Grammar pu-
pills should not be controlled nor
taught by primary methods. In diff
Guilty he has the right to respectful
hearing; the right TO belief until
proven Tlbnl Ol dppeuit tNeIy
criminal has this. 1t Is only in the
school room that the prosecuting at
torney. judge. jury and executioner
are ell one and the same person.
"Fifth-He has right to the best
personal influence of the teacher; the
lives of Arnold, Charles Thring. Tenn
pie and a host OF others are illustra-
tions OF this point.
"Sixth--He has the right ohave his
brain power measured by boy and girl
standard. not adult Too often work
is assigned without this recognition.
"Sevepth-He has the right to be
gauged by his ability, not by the call
endar He should be given new steps
when mentally ready, not because
November 3 has come and the course
OF study says percentage. This may
be accomplished by any method which
places the individual above system
"Eighth-He has the right to have
his work properly rated; his geography
examination measured by his geo
graphical knowledge. not by its SPELL
ing, nor penmanship. scholarship
should never be measured by deport-
ment; that should be measured alone.
Ninth He has the right to know
wnat he knows and to know that he
knows IL; that Is, confidence In his
knowledge. mistaken by any brow
beating cross examination.
"Tenth--He has the right to clear,
time in which TO answer them.
''Eleventh-He has the right to the
best energy and scholarship OF the
teacher, not jaded by too many late
hours whether from pleasure or read
ing examination papers
"Twelfth-He has the right TO optim-
ism, not pessimsm, to schoolroom
atrnosihere OF cheer and good WILL to
announcement not encouragement.
Try hard for your promotion Is bet
ter than You won't be promoted
'"Thirteenth-It Is his right to have
always before him an example OF kind
Is dignity of courtesy and or refined
Language I'm his teacher
YoIIh RIGHTS AS TEACHER.
"First-It is your right To receive cour-
teous treatment from the public, in tho
press. in public speech. In tho home
before the children. IL Is your right
20 insist on this courtesy when par
u