Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-02

There are three types of measure
mente commonly applied in education
~ measurement by opinion t2) meas
urement by comparison 60 measure
ment by means of scale or units Of
measure. These types are not distinct
but rather merge into each other. The
dere lopment of accuracy has been
brought about as we have progressed
from the first type of measurement to
the last When We have reached max
imum If development in the direction
Of scales for measuring our work we
shall still find it necessary to compare
results in order to establish standards
aud we shall still have recourse to
opinion concerning the value of the
results measured.
THE supervision of instruction has
to do with increasing the efficiency or
teachers Often the superintendent oil
schools is SO busy in administration.
l. e., organizing a system of schools
and providing the means in towns al
buildings. books and supplies. courses
of study and teachers with which to
carry out his plans. or in the lnspee-
ton of the work as planned in order
to replace or add where the means
seem inadequate to the work in hans,
that he has little time for the super
vision of instruction. Strangely
enough little attention has been given
to the efficiency of supervision. In
discussing the measurement of the
efficiency of supervision it is neces-
sary to depend almost wholly upon the
opinion OF successful supervisors ana
the testimony of teachers.
If we attempt to measure the ef-
ficiency of supervision as defined
above. we know that it is only when
there has been some change in the
practice of teachers that any result
has been achieved. Not all changes
in practice are good but any Increase
in efficiency must be paralleled by a
corresponding change in procedure.
Among some hundreds of teachers
who were asked by the speaker to tell
what supervisors had done for them.
large majority placed first in the
list some actual demonstration of
successful teaching done by the SUI
pervisor or arranged by him and lat
err discussed with him This is MT
accidental Teaching is for most men
and women who belong to the profess
sion an art and in mastering any art
demonstration and imitation play
most important part.
To the demonstration of successful
methods of work there must be added
constructive criticism, co operation In
making the course of study. exhibits
aF taanhpre meetings in
sttutes and summer schools. ana tn"
mea surfing of the accomplishment of
children. all of which are means COM
monty employed by successful super
visors. Supervisors will use these
means with varying degrees of ems
phasis and with varying success but
do not believe any supervisor can
hope to be most efficient without q
thorough acquaintance with these
methods of work, and a conscientious
attempt to apply them in his field.
a. A. Heaid. executive secretary of
TIE Laymen's Christian Federation of
Maine. took up the subject of The
Opportunity of the superintendent for
Community Service" In treating this
topic. Mr. Head showed first that
while community service was not a
part of superintendent duties as
outlined in the terms of n state law or
by any contract with the school COM
mittee, it was binding obligation up
on. all who were interested in the legit-
innate activities connected with the eff
ficiency Of tine profession. He also
made clear that such effort was worth
while, if considered only from a pYac-
tical basis.
Mr.. Head enumerated five different
forms of community service that were
needed and easily accomplished by the
superintendent os vision and showed
that countless other activities would
present themselves to those who made
a serious study or survey of a com
munity. The survey he held was need
ed to show just what things should re-
ccive attention, saying that IAN archi-
tect draws the plans then builds tn.
house, a doctor makes a diagnosis ano
then plans a systematic course OF
treatment. a railway company makes q
preliminary reconnaissance then builds
the lire, the mining engineer sinks 3
series of test shafts and is then ready
for future operat tons, so likewise any
superintendent who desires to entel