New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-01


by the Board Of Superintendents IN Its
relation TO the control and administra-
ton of the educational side of the pub
lie school system occasioned marked
change IN the attitude Of the board or
Education in the matter O. hlllng the
vacancy IN the Board OF Superintcnd-
ents.
The lack OF Virility and Of educa-
tional accomplishment upon the part
Of the then existing members OF that
board was so clearly indicated that the
Board of Education was constrained TO
abandon all hope of appointing any
candidate on the score of political or
kindred influences. SO marked was the
effect of this revelation upon the COM
mittee on nominations of the Board OF
Education that it shrank from the re
sponsiblity of naming q candidate. In
place of doing so there was submitted
20 the Board Of Education list Of
some ten or eleven names. comprising
various candidates Of both high and
low degree candidates who had made
application for the JOB. The man who
was elected does not appear 20 nave APP
piled Tor the Job.
As forctold by The Tribune. the out
of-tovn educators were counted out.
The situation required the most care
full handling. The wisdom of choosing
live material with which TO remedy
the molluscous condition Of the Board
of Superintendents became obvious TO
all-wheu pointed out. The candidates
who had been the most prominent IN
the scramble became the least conspic-
uous: and. finally, the mantle OF er-
mine fell upon the shoulders Of DR..
William McAndrew. the well known
principal of the Washington Irving
High School.
DR.. McAndrew is man who does
things: his educational accomplish
ments are many in number and varied
in nature. His sheer forcefulneSs and
strong personality have made the
Washington Irving High School wha'
IL now is-the most wonderful ecuca-
fionsl institution Of its kind IN the
whole world IL is doubtful whether
DR.. McAndrew viii have the oppor-
tunity 70 distinguish himself more as
an associate city superintendent than
he has already done as the head Of the
institution which he is leaving. ana
which is mainly Of his own creation.
At last q specialist has been elecleu
10 membership in the Board OF super
jntendents. and Zine" promotion and
mere Gock-step" prefcrment have Tor
the first time IN many years given way
20 ability.
DR.. McAndrew IS an authority upon
the practical organization or me
American high school. not necessarily
the mere nerfunctury organization OF
classes and the assignment Of teachers
thereto. which almost mechanical tunc-
ton is so often mistaken for real ad-
ministration; but ne knows how 10 CO.
ordinate the school curriculum with
the needs Of the community. The Wash
ington Irving High School eEemplihes
this feature. and its vocational aspect
IN regard TO the future Of its giii
graduates is unique in its effectiveness:
Although the school is not represented
20 the public In the light Of trade
school 10 is as truly and as pracu-
caliy vocational. in its particular line
OF activity. as are others which are
specifically represented and designated
as such.
II now remains 10 be seen whether
Dr. NcAndrew will become merely a
voting unit I'm a cumbrous BODY or
whether his originality and selt-as-
sertive qualities viii be preserved ard
will assist i'm the task OF vitalizing edu-
cational control and educational mar
agemept.
The Board Of Education has still an
other momentous question TO solve
namely. whether or not the autonomy
of the Board of Examiners shall be
preserved. The official term of ONCE Of
Examiner Walter L. Hervey has eN-
pir.d. lie retains his place as hold
over" The public has been mystlheG
IS 10 why this official has not been re
appointed because there is nothing
against his record as an educator ana
much may be said for him. He IS par
ticularly qualified for the office OF eN-
aminer by reason of his knowledge,
experience and calm judicial tempera-
mcnt. .
The Board Of Examiners consists Of
four members, with City Superlh-
tendent Maxwell as an eX ofiicio fifth
member. One Of the most delicate
functions TO be performed IN connec-
lion with any school system rs the
selecting and licensing Of teachers. The
examining body stands at the portals
of the school system, and upon ITS IN
tegrity may well rest the success OF
failure of the educational structure
and the welfare of the children
Efficient teachers are absolutely es-
sential. The purity and fairness OF
their mode Of selection is fundamental
No member of the Board Of Examiners
can ever hope 70 De popular, because
there are more inefficient persons de-
string to enter the school system than
there are persons who can prove their
efficiency and who are admitted. Com
paratively few who fail in their exam
nations are willing 10 admit then
shortcomings. In their estimation
either the examination Is unfair or
the examiners have erred.
Therefore il is impossible for the
examiners TO please or to satisfy all.
Nearly every unsuccessful candidate
feels that he or she is either martyr
or a victim, sacrificed upon the altar
of education and deprived Of hopes oil
a thereafter
No one will assert that examiners
are infalhble or ia at they never make
mistakes. Doubtless they do err some
times. but an appeal. II merted, gen
orally secures the desired relief for
the sufferer. However, there are APP
peals and appeals. The most awkward
situation i'm which an examiner can be
placed is TO face the necessity oil re
sisting the impOrtunate demands OF the
politician or even Of the unlntelllgent
vet well meant efforts of some person
clothed with authority who seeks the
passing of a candidate who has failed
in examination.
MANY of the mistakes doubtless made
in the marking of so large number