Evening star., 1911-08-20

ian languages shall be taught in connec-
tion with the work in English. The value
of this plan has not yet been decided
upon by educators, but q number OF
these schools are now in operation and
are designated as Cosmopolitan
schools.
One of the most important problems
now confronting the educators is that of
devising some plan Of grading that will
be flexible enough TO meet the Individual
the laggard who does not keep up with
his class. Under the present system
fully 10 per cent of the school children
OF the country are repeating their work
each year at a great Getriment to them
selves as well as great loss to the
country. The money COS: of the repeater
in school Is estima ted at over $500 eco
annually. and this sum is practica ly
wasted, sinee children doing the same
work the second time get little if any
more value from 1t than if completed
in one year. according to the plan of the
school system.
1t is claimed by some that the present
course of study in the common school is
planned for the unusually bright child
instead of the average or dull child.
W neither this Is true or not, the fact re-
mains that comparatively small num-
Der of children complete the full eight
grades without repeating at least one
years work. Statistics Indicate that at
present the average child requires 81
years to complete what IS supposedly
eight years work. The consideration of
the school laggard. the causes and possi
bilities of doing away with the repeating
process were well discussed at the recent
convention of tho National Educational
Association and some steps to remedy
the evil are already under way.
There is a difference of opinion also
as to the methods of teaching conducive
TO the best re-
Difference Over suits in the
Teaching Methods. hoa, m m a.. a r
age of specialization. many educators
advocate that each subject in the schools
be taught by specialist. The plan of
specialization in the elementary schools
has probably reached its highest develop
ment in Philadelphia. although it has
been experimental upon in other cities
II is being stated however. that in the
lower grades the specialist is not an un-
quailhed success. The personality Of
the teacher tends to detract tho atten-
tion of the child from the subject being
aught, and school discipline is harder to
obtain. Such complaints as John gets
along fine with his history teacher, but
ne can't bear his spelling teacher" and
If Mary had all her lessons with her
teacher that taught arithmetic. she
wouldn't have her bad marks In con-
Duct, come into the principals room
very often. According to the results of
the investigations made by the special
committee appointed by the National
Educational Association to consider the
elementary schools. specialization in the
early grades IS not to be commended
The relative Importance Of the studies
Of the common schools, as indicated by
the amount of time given to each. is also
subject which received the attention of
a special committee. After a very mi
mute investigation. this committee. which
included the United States commissioner
OF education, the superintendent of
schools of several cities and some other
prominent educators, recently have pub
at least as suggestive authority upon this
subject.
This report divides the twenty -tiv e
hours of the school week into regular
periods for each
MAKES DIVISION study and these
of Study Ho-' ea,.enas airer as the grades @
first two years, physical exercise and
play occupy four to fou< and half hours
per week. while only two hours a week
are given to this subject in the last six
years. This report suggests that ele-
mentary algebra and geometry receive
from one to three hours per week dur
ing the seventh and eighth grades, and
four hours per week may be given to
some fore.gn language in the last three
years. These branches shall be more or
less elective to the student. Many Of
these suggestions are already in opera
ton with good results in different schools
The report deals with both rural and
city schools. and, while its suggestions
Will be modified to meet local conditions,
the fact that the committee was selected