Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-02-08
NSONE SCHOOL REFORMY

The Trenton Chamber of Commerce
held a smoker last Monday evening,
and among its guests was Calvin n.
Kendall, the new State Commissioner
of Education, and we are sure that
what he said of the State schools will
be read with interest in Gloucester
county. From a report of the meeting
we quote:
DR.. Kendall was introduced by DR.
James H. Green, head of the State
Schools. DR.. Green said in part:
1T is an auspicious occasion when
a Chamber of Commerce tenders Il
reception to an educator, auspicious
not because it has been inappropriate,
but because it has been unusual.
Tonight the Trenton Chamber CT
Commerce, of which | am a member
extends its hopsitality to the School
Masters Club of this section, of which
| am a member, and in honor of ou'
new State Commissioner of Education.
/ of whom am friend, and gives to
me the gracious duty of introducing g
these respective parties. Under the
circumstances you may feel that there
is danger of my introducing me to my
self, but shall run no such risk
There is no greater public business
than that of education. We are spen L
ing in New Jersey for public schools
some $30.000000 year, and when We
add to this amount the cost of mainte
nance of the pupils, we can see how It
is easily our greatest public interest,
and yet when we regard our education
we are influenced not SO much by de
mands based upon what the pupil is
to do after he leaves school, as by
traditions, customs and the size o.
the budget.
Our new commissioner comes to us
as a man of reputed experience in
Ithese problems. If in the expendi-
ture of our thirty millions and more
he can help us to increase our effect
iveness five, or even one per. cent, he
will have made his calling and ele.-
tion sure. To whatever may be his
professional accomplishments he adds
those of a gentleman and a friend.
DR.. Kendall, in his talk, declared
that there had been an increase in
school expenditures during the pas
few years of 238 per cent. and in
wages paid to teachers 1870 per cent :
By that, he said, he did not mean that
the salaries of teachers had been in
dividually raised, but that the increas-
ed sum represented the aggregate to-
stal with the number of new teachers
employed
ss'Fhe conservation of health Should
be the most important aim N school
workP stated Dr. Kendall Bad seat
ing arrangements were responsible
for much impaired eyesight. In va
rious cities, he said he had visited,
little children are permitted to sit
with their feet dangling, yet not
touching the floor, and any physician
will tell you how injurious this prac-
tice is
"A school house should be as clean
as hospital The grounds should
be ample and suitable gymnasiule
should be provided in each building.
Boards of education have never bean
known to purchase too much ground
to surround school building. 1t is
wise investment and will be graf =
fully realized by future generations.
There seems to be sentiment here
to open schools for public purposes
in this city and believe that much
good can be accomplished from such
purpose. Entertainment under t. {
supervision of proper authorities will
prove most helpful to the community.
DR. Kendall stated that there was
a limit to the number of children that
could be taught by one teacher. He
advised that 35 children should be the
most placed under one teachers care.
! When more than that number is plac-
ed in one class, they are not educat-
| ed but just schooled.
DR. Kendall declared that there
should be special institutions for de-
fective and incorrigible pupils. At
tention should also be given to the
pupils who are bright and quick to
learn, as we'll as the dull and back
I, ward student.
Schools are hampered more than
! the public realizes, he said, because
of the irregular attendance. But one
sixth of the child's life is spent in
school during the year,and it is shown
that the average absence of stu
/ dent is IL s1-2 per cent. annually IT.
| is a tremendous loss to the taxpayer
and one little realized by him.