Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-17

Better grading systems, semi-an-
bal promotions and a lengthening Of
f. school year as means of over
lining deficiency in study are
|nong the recommendations con-
Eined in the annual report of Rev.
lhn A. Dillon, superintendent Of the
iIrochial schools of the Catholic do
IS of Newark. The report, when
submitted TO Bishop O'Connor
|a the other members Of the dioce-
Fl school board today, is volumi-
bus one and reflects the compre-
&nsive scope Of the work done by
s. author 1t contains statistics for
|e l9l3-191# scholastic year. and re-
brts in detail on the work done
.nce the present system was put
=Io operation in the diocesan schools
BE years ago.
IRetardation and holidays are the
10 principal subjects discussed by
|ather Dillon IN his report. Both
these subjects, he states, are the
bpermost topics wherever eduea-
Rs come together. Retardation is
as applying to pupils who
n above the average age Of their
bass. This condition, the report
|ates. has been remedied to some
ktent by the elimination of over
fowding. AS a result better faeili-
Us assist in giving more attention
backward or unusually slow pu-
lis. 1t is added that school princi-
bis can do much by study of indi-
|dual cases and by seeking the
|rect cause of their pupils def
|ency.
lone great source OF retardation is
Dor grading and n-promotion,
|ather Dillon asserts. He goes on
point out that one powerful means
br decreasing this drawback is for
tinclpals TO arrange the grades so
hat a child may be promoted when
/ Is fit for promotion and not to walt
ntil the end of the year. He strong
recommends the division of the
FADES into two terms of six months
hen with seni-annual promotion. In
lis way, it is explained, pupils at
'nding summer school for six weeks
the summer would be able to ad-
ance a half-term when they go back
y school in the fall.
Failure to properly guard the
visions within each class and to
Eep each division in distinct adj
Rnce of the other division was re-
Donsible for much of the backward
ess he found during his inspection
the schools, Father Dillon says.
A pupil who is retarded a full
bar" he states, rarely RECEIVERS
'om the effect of it, whereas one re-
Irded but half a year is buoyed up
nd made more earnest by the hope
+ recovering quickly the ground lost.
there Is no distinct line between
Missions within a grade, this cannot
done without a whole years
ork.
"a special or ungraded class solely
Il backward pupils is also recon-
ended by Father Dillon.
Holidays"
Under the head of Holidays"
ather Dillon says: I'VE should have
! a minimum time in school five
,urs a day, five days a week and
n full months in the year.
.The school day of five hours
Iould be devoted entirely and ex.
bsiveiy to actual school work, cur
lied in no way by assembly or d s.
Issal. collection and distribution of
vtning. These rather should pre-
de and follow the fiye-hour period.
tsThere is no wish on my part, In
Ie presentation of this subject, TO
Ininate from the child's life all the
'eded stimulus for healthy recrea-
5n; nor is there any inclination to
jure the child by too long hours
study or overwork. 1t has been
owed, and quite conclusively, that
It'll wise pedagogical methods, good
Initiation and properly arranged
hedules, there is no mental fatigue
sulting from a five-hour school
ID, and moreover, that study and
ucation are particularly healthful
ia health-producing things"
European school Hours.
In France, Germany and England,
Ie report states, the school year
nges from forty-two to forty-file
eeks a year, six hours a day, and
the case OF Germany six days
EEK, contrasted with the American
hool year of th'rty-iVe to forty
aeks five hours day and five days
week.
II realize that the time schedule
'the European child cannot be tully
III ed under American conditions"
il be able to have forty-five weeks
the year, nor six days in the week,
II six hours in the day, but we can
a should get over the tendency Of
bling the months, robbing the
eeks, robbing the days and robbing
E hours of school work"
The suggestions for a longer school
ar. If adopted. according to Father
lion, will simplify two of the edu-
tional problems that are featured
of primary importance in discus
ms BY prominent educators. These
q problems, he said are retarda-
m and lack Of time for doing ele-
entarv work.
m other parts Of his report Father
1'on again calls attention to the
ressity of centralized high schools.
E claims there are IN the Newark
Geese many schools teaching one,
10. three or four years Of high
hooI work that would be productive
better results if the teaching forces
ere centralized nj a smaller number
schools. He suggests the CONSOLE
ton of these higher grade classes
the various parochia' schools into
bcesan institutions. Less teachers
build be required, Father Dillon
5nts out, and the children could be
ught fewer subjects, but taught
til greater efficiency.
High School Plan.
IN recognition of this need for con-
ntration, the report states. the do
san school board has adopted a
an whereby high school education
ay be received by the graduates of
e parochial schools with no direct
ST to them and very little cost to
e parish from which they come.
were made with the
schools and other classes
Seton Hal College. at South Or
lge: ST. Benedicts College. at New
X: st. eter's College, at Jersey City;
vincent's Academy, at Newark;