New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-27
PAYS Tribute to Maxwell.

Professor Hanus in his summary also
dwells with evident pleasure on the char
acter and achievement of the City Super
intendent, saying
The present city Superintendent is
man of commanding personality, of clear
vision. of great industry and of unswery-
ing devotion to the educational interests
Of the city. His influence is correspond
ngly great. The City Of New York owes
TO him more than 10 any other person or
gtoup of persons the educational progress
lis schools have made since the CONSOLE
cation. and this progress, in spite OF the
defect we have pointed out, Is yer? great.
Without him IL is difficult 10 see how
such progress could have been made
The Board of Examiners comes in also
for a handsome tribute though certain
faults have been found with its makeup
and procedure.
our study of the work of the board or
examiners has caused us TO reach the
conclusion" SAYS Professor HanuS. that
this board has performed its duties in
decidedly successful manner Its respon-
sihilities are very great. While some
unfit and partially unfit individuals have
bcon declared eligible for appointment 20
service as teachers and some ft indi-
viduals have NOT. nevertheless, consider
ing the many and varied inherent diff
culties Of determining beforehand the
fitness Of individuals for effective service
as teachers, and also the constant
pressure from the many organized in
terests in tho city to utilize appointments
10 teaching positions for narrow or selfish
purposes. the courage. integrity and skill
Of. the board of examiners deserve general
e0mmendation.'
Criticises Examination Board.
Fault is foind with the isolation Of the
board Of examiners from the conditions
and requirements of classroom teaching.
and the recommendation is made that the
board. now numbering five members, be
Increased to nine. including the City 5u-
pefintendent, in his present capacity as
chairman. md that the eight appointed
members be dividcd into four equal
groups, the members of each group TO he
relieved in turn Of their immediate duties
as examiners for one year and assigned
to sach work rs would bring them into
direct contact with the teaching force Of
View York City and elsewhere.
In general the criticism which Dr.
Elliott makes Of the educational policy
ana Methods Of instruction in force in
New York is that no means exist by
which their adaptability and success can
ne measured IN the first place he says
the Board Of superintendent, being i'm
inersed In administrative detail and far
removed from actual contact With the
children, cannot judge Of the wisdom OF
The rules they prescribe And they insist
mat these rules be rigidly obeyed, per
hitting the district superintendents. prin-
erals and teachers no initiative or even
altitude in the matter
Then he complains Of the "inbreeding"
OF the system caused by choice of
teachers. principals and superintendent
entirely from those who are themselves
Inc products OF the very system they are
70 administer and supervise. Such per
sens he points out cannot bring proper
Vltlcisin or perspective 10 bear upon
thelr work without some knowledge OF
'ond'tions and methods and progress out
SIDE the CITY
Proposes Bureau Of Investig ation.
30 he would have a bureau Of investga-
'oh and appraisal established as an In
esfsI part OF the school system. TO
serve as the central agency for gather
'lg and Interpreting statistical ana other
ua'a with reference 10 the schools and
TOT making such Investigations as are
necessary for the internal development
s"d extension Of the work of the school
system"
IT, place OF the Board OF Superintendents
Ut. Elliott would have a supervisory
council. TO consist OF the City Superln-
"ndent, all the district superintendents aI-l
number OF selected directors. principals
VI elementary schools. principals Of high
sehoos. principals OF training schools and
representatives Of the teaching STAFF In
ns INHERENT types and grades OF schools
ms supervisory council, IL Is recon-
'"ehded. should possess general powers OF
mutation and direction with respect 10
programmes Of study and all other mat
iefs relating to the aims, means and
Methods OF instruction.
rue expert investigator found the dis
.'ct superintendent az a class unsatis-
isetory. Professor Hanus says OF them
!" ms summary:
according TO the general plan oil or
s'hizatlon. the district mperintendenta
~. h. Af