The Estancia news. [volume] (Estancia, Torrance County, N.M.) 1904-1912, 1909-12-17
Control Better than Expulsion
Expulsion Compulsory Education
Reform School,.

Expulsion Compulsory Education
Reform School)
Gentleuien
1t has come to my notice in several
cases that teachers have resorted to
expulsion of children for misconduct,
for truancy, or for other reasons that
seemed to justify. Is there not in such
a course of action suggestion of weak
ness on the part of the teacher? The
school is for the child, and an efficient
teacher will control that school without
reducing its numbers by expulsion. Of
course, there are certain young people
who should not be in the public school.
| The management of these people is
provided for, however, in section 10,
Chapter g. Laws of 1868, Page 1859 Of
the Compilation of School Laws for
1909, Some teachers find it much
easier to expel a child than to control
him; for this reason the number of
cases of expulsion increases very rapid
ly unless The supervising officer gives
close attention to the matter. In the
great majority Of cases those pupils who
are expelled from school are the very
ones who are the most in need of the
influences of the school and who can
least afford to be without that influence.
Urge upon your teachers that they
make every effort to have the school be
of the greatest possible benefit to the
greatest possible number. Remind them
that every hour in school should bring
.profit to every pupil there and that
there is real loss to the pupil for every
absence from d successful school.
In some cases the teachers follow the
practice of dropping from the roll a
pupil who has been absent for six sue
cessive half days. This means merely
chat an effort is being made to advance
The lercentage of attendance which is
10 Lc reported to the county superin-
tendent at the close Of each month. 1t
| is only fair thut pupil should give
Immediate notice to his teacher if for
reason of sickness, moving out of the
district, going away for long visit, or
other reason, he is te be absent from
school for some time. His name may
be immediately dropped from the roll
and the absences not charged against
the room. Of course, it is understood
hat if pupil does not have satisfac-
ory reason for his absence, the com
ulsory education law should be brought
20 bear upon his case
We sometimes in the administration
Of sch oil affairs overlook the fact that
The parents must be held responsible
for the control of their children and the
dea should not be permitted to gain
very great strength that the control OF
he child is assumed by the state through
the administration of the schools. If g
child is truant let the parent pay the
penalty through the enforcement Of the
4; mpuls ry education law. If pupi
is vicious, idle, or of vagrant habits lei
10Th the parent and the child pay thu
penalty through the enforcement Of the
law found in Section 10, Chapter 2
, Laws of 1903. Let US in all cases b'
willing to share the responsibility O
improving the growing generation il
every possible way, but jealous teach
ers are too liable to assume the entir,
responsibility and relieve the parent o
a charge he should fulfill.
All W me to call to your attention
sight error in the Christmas Day Pro
S gram The sentence in the introduc
q {, ry statement reading 1t is suggeste
chat the program be given on Frida
Afternoon, December twenty-fifth,
II should be corrected to read ''Deeembe
Cwenty-fourth."
Il Yours very respectfully,
J.E. Clark,
Il erritorial Superintendent Public Ins
: truction.
Il Department of Education, Santa Ft
New Mexico, December 18th. 1909.
Il A. B, Renehan came dow