The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-27

as an incentive to better work. am
delighted with the system
Mary A. Fosque. primary department.
seven teachers, three years a student
at Silver Lake and at Chautauqua, n.
V, says: The uniform graded course
for rural schools, in my opinion. is the
very best system ! have ever seen
Lena, y. Bull, one teacher school. a
. Farmville woman, says: The uniform
graded course has been great ell to
me. When / took this school it was not
grade he is in. the work expected of
him, and Is in earnest to advance to
next grade at close of the term. Hav-
ing tried this system, ] do not know
how I could do without it.
c. ~ Swineley. graduate Randolph
Macon College, principal, eight teachers,
81. enrolment, says: Without a uniform
graded course / would feel perfectly
helpless, at sea Ike mariner without
through such a course that the school
can be satisfactorily arranged so as to
get best results yearly, and in the end u
well-rounded whole
Mrs. Mildred Fosque. last year one
teacher school, this year principal of
graded school. a Farmville woman, says:
In my work the uniform graded course
OF study has readily dispersed the chaos
and confusion of the ungraded school
1t has been so much help to me in so
many ways that I commend in toto such
a system of school work.
II. l.. Lowry. principal, four teachers,
graduate OF Randoph-Macon College,
says: Without this graded course of
study it would be impossible for the
work to be carried on in such sys-
tematic manner as it now is. In my
opinion the young people OF Accomac are
receiving through this course a better
training. under home influence, than
would be possible otherwise
C. e. Edwards, principal, four teach
ers, graduate of Randolph Macon Col
lege, says: The uniform graded course
has greatly simpified and aided the adj
vancement Of our school work. In my
opinion this system Is far better than
where each successive principal is al
lowed to grade the school according to
his likes or dislikes."
A. l.. Burger. principal, seven teach
ers. graduate of Washington and Lee.
/ says: 1.-THE adaptability Of the uniform
graded course for all rural schools ceases
to be theory; it is proven beyond ques-
ton by its successful operation in the
schools of Accomac in the past three
years during which time not only has
the work been unified and the general
standard of efficiency raised, but there
has resulted n progressiveness and en-
thusiasn, in the schools that before the
intrpduction of this course was to many
inconceivable. 1 speak from personal
Observation and experience, having been
, connected with the schools OF the county
before the adoption of the graded course,
when the Onancock school alone had at
tempted to grade Its pupils. Among tho
many good features OF this system that
/ am strongly impressed with and would
emphasize are the following:
II. 1t correlntes the work OF the prl-
| mary. grammar and high school depart
ments.
80 1t facilitates and simplifies and in
| sures cassification-pups transferred
| from one school to another being readily
| classified on certificate.
'.3. 1t prevents, In a great degree, UNI
necessary repetition of the subject year
| after year.
"A. 1t stimulates the pupil to a greater
| effort, placing before him definite
amount of work to be accomplished, pro-
| motion at the end of the year being an
/ incentive.
.'5. 1t reduces the number of classes
! thus enabling the teacher to devote more
| time to each class.
/ &c. It removes the possibility of grad
! ing by incompetent teachers.
-. 1t secures better general attend
ance--the majority of pupils avoiding
absence, which lessons the possibility Of
| promotion
| I have chosen to discuss this subject
| by submitting the results obtained from
using a uniform graded course Of study
by corps of competent teachers in u
| county of one hundred and ffty-three
schools. Upon such testimony, and upon
| my own personal observation of these
facts even more than our teachers have
| stated, do not hesitate to recommend
, to the educators OF this Commonwealth
the use of uniform graded course of
study for the free schools or this State
as the quickest, safest and the best way
to round out, unity and systematize the
work Of all the public free schools In
\ Virginia.