Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-02-15
SCHOOL SYSTEM
NOT EFFICIENT
Says Former Senator Freling-
huysen in Statement Re-
garding Investigation.

TRENTON. Feb. 15.-Mr. Joseph S.
Frelinghuysen, who was chairman OF
the committee appointed by the Sen
ate to investigate the public school
system. made the following statement
in answer to two question which have
been frequently asked him during the
past month:
"a Did the Senate investigating
committee inc the Senate committee
on education of 1911 ascertain the views
of the educators in this State?
ca What consideration was given to
the provision of the law of 1911 requir-
ing an examination for admission to
the High School?
lie answered:
Senators Bradley, Silzer and myself
were named to act with the State
Board of Education as a committee to
investigate our public school system.
More than 500 witnesses were exam
ined, many of whom were educators.
1.-THE examination of educators
brought to light a fact which. in our
opinion. was most important. Some
superintendent rarely visited their
schools. Some were doing office and
statistical work which a trained office
assistant could have done far better at
less cost. Children were promoted re-
CARELESS of fitness. The judgment Of
teachers to at least one-half of whom
teaching is not a profession and the
average age Of which half is about %,
was almost entirely relied upon So
shocking were conditions that the most
eminent child psychologist, DR.. Cod
dard, in this country, testified that
many of the children in our schools
were wholly untitled for grade work.
1.-The law requiring an examination
for admission to high school was enact-
ed for the benefit of the public and
more particularly for the benefit of
parents and children. It was not
enacted to continue the comfort of
school men who fear comparison and
the criticism of the public. 1t was
enacted to make such school men
work.
'Who are the school men who neg
lected real school work and who OPP
posed an examination, the results of
which would serve as a basis for COM
parison? An examination of the rec
ords Of the Senate committee now on
file in the department of public in
SITuCliOn VIII icNCdi tiO IA VI
many. 1t will also reveal the I'M
of Woodworking and conscientious
school boards and educators who are
ever ready to improve their schools
and who welcome publicity.
THE investigations of the Senate
committee and the recent examination
in the Trenton Normal School should
cause all parents to carefully consider
whether their children are receiving
the education for which they pay
taxes. 1t is my desire, and I know
that it is the desire of the members
of the State Board of Education to
have a system Of education which will
be second to none; to have a system
which will be thorough and efficient.
Such a system will never be acquired
unless the welfare of the pupil is the
first to be considered, and unless SUI
perintendents. principals and teachers
do their share and welcome any I'M
all plans which will enable the public,
the Legislature and the State board
to see what results are accomplished
and to make comparisons.
There has been some suggestion
that the schools may be used for po-
litical purposes or as a stepping stone
to crafty ambition. Any man wis
would use the schools for any such
purpose merits contempt. 1 have given
considerable time to the schools and
consider 1t is my duty to give even
more IL possible. The members of the
State Board of Education are likewise
giving considerable time to the schools.
Their meetings are open to the pub
lie; their actions and deliberations are
entirely devoid of anything political.
The good of the schools only is sought"