The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-01-20

neltler the Board nor / naQ maze auy|t
regulations about this and that we
had no system, except to require Ger.
tain standards for promotion, that
each teacher was at liberty to mark
the daily recitations as she pleased
and that | did not think it wise tol
hamper the teachers with regulations
that would destroy their individuality
and make of them marking automa-
tons instead Of inspiring teachers.
Another reason for not granting their
request was the deleterious effect it
would have on the pupils, causing
them to think all the time Of their
marks and work simply for marks,
which is a very low and almost i'm
proper incentive.
For my own satisfaction and for
the information of yourselves and any
patrons that might be interested |
sent the following questions to about
fifteen of the leading superintendent
and teachers in the state with re-
quests for immediate answers:
l. What regulations do you, OF
your Board, issue to the teachers
concerning their daily class-books
and pupils monthly reports?
2. Do you think it possible or ad
visable for a teacher to mark ever!
pupil in every recitation every day!
| 3. Why?
! 4. Do you think it better for tn
teachers to use definite per cent fig
ures or more general letters in tn
pupils monthly reports:
i The answers l received are yer
interesting, and show that our teaci
ers are putting into practice tn
} principles of good teaching in refrall
, ing from the old practice of man
teachers.
The answers to No. l were unan
5 nous in stating that no regulation
were made by the boards and ID
: matter was left to the discretion
u the superintendent and teachers, OF
+ adding that too many instructions d
e stroyed the individuality of the teac
ers.
& To No. 2 a majority said that
o was neither possible nor adVlsab
q and five replied that it might be pc
Il sible, but it was certainly not advls
e BILE.
i The answers to No. 3, giving re
u sons for the opinions expressed in
II 9, are various Of course, the folloWi
- being the principal ones:
IL TOO much clerical work and 10
d of time that should be given to tea'
IL ing: "Detracts from the interest
It the recitation; All pupils are 7
" tested daily; "Other elements EN-
70 into the teachers judgment of
Gu pills.: encourages pupils to We
only for marks; Difficult to
81 cure right effort on the part OF
eo child; Ceases to work for edu
w tom. DR.. c. c. Henson, princl
liz of the Newman Manual Train
Ut School in New Orleans, and one
70 the leading authorities in the so
&c on pedagogical subjects, says:
W teachers function is inspiring tea
Iei ing, not clerical drudgery, and
oil teacher who marks every pupil eV
10 day may become an excellent ma
net, hut never a twentieth cent
en- teacher" Prof. H. H. Ryan, train
teacher at the State Normal sen
10 saws: "Such practice makes
lae recitation purely quiz, in the mi
for of both teachers and pupils, inst
Ids Of what it should be, discussion
OK DIR. seeley in "a New School n
~ agement" says: mo chlio snou'
lNe subjected to such system"
0n White in his School Managem
ose saws: what the schools need
aeh more vital teaching and less mar
WV and bookkeeping"
soA The burning of the New Hope
Ae, ing reminds me that none Oh
Aeu country school houses are ins'
% and 7 recommend to the Board
'h'' ACCESSIBILITY of considering that
= portant matter.
'"ho Very truly yours,
sa- A. M. HENDoN,
!, Parish Superintendent, west i
- ana Parish.
o 4ho Receipts During The ouar''
Current School Fund ''''''$
,or,, Poll Taxes ...'.''. =,
po,ioe Jurv Appropriations. ~