New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-01
SCHOOL SYSTEM ALL
AT SEA, SAYS HANUS
Board of Examiners Only Feat
ure Commended in Final Re-
port of Harvard Man.
"CRITICISM is STIFLED"

clares, Is Lack of Definite and
Detailed Knowledge-Board
of Investigation Urged.
Practically the only thing In the entire
public school system of New York which
impressed Professor Paul II. Hanus. the
Harvard educational expert as in any de-
gree worthy Of It's salt was the board Of
examiners. That. Professor Hanus stated
In his final summary report submitted to
the Committee on School Inquiry OF the
Board of Estimate yesterday was de-
cidcdly efficient. But even that needed re-
organization. the professor held, to Inn
prove and maintain Its efficiency.
The rest Of the school system. the re-
port averred. vas seriously defective. II
advocated the abolition OF the Board of
Superintendent. In the general system
OF supervision, II advised. helpful CO.
operation under leadership should replace
bureaucratic control The Board Of Edu-
cation. II maintained. should acquire
clear conception OF It's functions and
should come to close quarters with Its
work.
In short. Professor Hanus declared. the
Fundamental trouble with the system was
II didn't know what II was driving at. nor
how. What those responsible for II
needed to get into their heads. he said.
was that the schools were meant to pro-
vide % the means OF appropriate. and so
far as possible. complete general devel-
opment, and ~ various kinds OF voca-
tional training adapted to the needs.
tastes and future callings OF all pupils
who pass at once from school to their
life work. and for those who wish to
improve themselves after they have gone
to work.
New York City schools do not do either
OF these things effectively. in the opinion
OF the Harvard expert. To back up this
opinion. he cited the reports Of the va
rlous investigators associated with him.
whose findings I'm the main have already
been published.
DR. Frank NJ. McMurray's study OF
classroom instruction. he declared, showed
the spirit to be one OF Journalism and
disregard for adaptation TO social and In
dlvidual needs. He recommended that the
number OF parental and disciplinary
schools be increased. the mode OF com
mitment TO the simplihed. and the adj
ministration OF corporal punishment al
lowed.
Taking up the report Of DR.. Henry II.
Goddard, he advocated that the means or
discovering and treating defective pupils
be improved. More intermediate schools
should be established. he maintained, and
Ia. al
gether. Cooperative or continuation
schools should be established FOR voca-
tional training. and the high school
courses should be thoroughly revised. ac-
cording to Professor Hanus
The report then referred TO the system
Of supervision. Long service. rather than
potential supervisory capacity. was consid-
cred I'm the appointment OF principals. II
declared Hence New York failed TO pront
bv the infusion Of the best professional
ideals of other communities. Again. dis
trict superintendents failed to live up TO
the RESPONSIBILITIES placed upon them by
the bylaws Of the Department Of Educa-
ton. because Of the great size OF the dis
tricts. the absence OF high standards or
qualification and the devotion to routine
administrative duties.
Finally. the report held. bar was
placed In the way Of progress by the ex-
pressed unwillingpess OF intelligent lay
and professional critics to come out In
the open with their suggestions. on the
ground that to be known would endanger
their professional standing and advance
ment. Though such an attitude might be
wholly groundless. Professor Hanus re-
marked. Il was nevertheless widespread
and indicated a serious obstruction to the
professional growth and efficiency OF all
concerned. That such feeling should be
possible In modern educational system
Professor Hanus deeply deplored. and he
denounced It's cause In the following
words:
at present competent criticism Is
either Intentionally or unintentionaliy dis-
Outraged. and unintelligert and carpins
criticism is allowed to undermine profess
sjonal interest and enthusiasm within the
school system and public confidence With
out"
ON account Of this long continued stiff
ling OF criticism. the professor added. the
school system was suffering from lack
OF definite and detailed knowledge OF its
own workings and Its own cost, to supply
which he suggested the establishment as
an integral part Of the school control a
board OF investigation and appraisal
which should be In charge OF superin-
tendent directly responsible to the Board
OF Education.
This body. explained the educator. would
serve as a central agency for gathering
and interpreting data referring to the
schools. and for making such investisa-
lions as were necessary for the Internal
deveIopment and extension Of the work OF
the school system.