The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-25

@. Professional cooperation.
 10. General progressive spirit.
 Dr. Deane explained that the first four subjects came I1R1der the head of '1Discipline." The next four related to Teaching Ability The last two, he said, were -trnore personal Ten in each subject was to be "excellent' seven was passing; and six or under wHr poor
 When Dr. Deane finished, Mir. Hur- ley .aaked hln If there were any cases where the principals were ordered to lower marks they had given teachers. 4
 The superintendent answered in the negative. He did say, however, that he had Investigated cases where there appeared "a wide discrepancy be- i tween principals' markings and the ratings by the supervisors.
 'Hpw do you mark teacher whom you've never v4s1ted?' asked pr. \ Ryan.
 q haven't given any marks" said , the superintendent.
 How about the mark from a super G visor who has visited a teacher once in the school year-alad then only df- l! teen minutes ?'' Dr. .Ryan insisted
 -'Do you think it's a fair marking syseeEn?'. asked Mir. Challenger.
 It's ltberal,'' Dr. Deane answered.
 MT. Bell then paid a few compli u1erts to the principals who didn't cr4t1cise the teachers' work because they were Friends of the teachers
 Those principals aren't friends of the teachers" he said with emphasis.
 Inquiries next brought out the fact that of the three teachers dropped, Miss J. E1fzabeth Bentley had been teaching one year, and Miss Bessie Berg1n for seven years.
 At this point Judge T. c. Coughlin was granted the floor. Judge Coughlin roundly scored the marking system as unfair. He suggested that 8 board of examiners be appointed to hold tests for teachers rather than leave their marks to the caprices and whins of supervisors and principaIs.''
 When the vote had been taken Com missioner Cullinan said: feAn we are looking for is the moral effect. We have no desire to keep any teacher from earning a deserved increase and think if any member will now make an amendment to the report so that any teacher on this list makest good during the year she will obtain her in crease of salary, the members of the committee on schools will vote for it.''
 Commissioner Hurley framed the amendment which was carried. Com missioner Ryan then offered a motion that Miss Bessie v. Bergin be rein stated. He said he did not think she had been marked fairly. He paid com phments to the high marks she has received in her school work The vote
 
 unanimous but Miss Bentley and Miss Murphy having no champions at the meeting the vote that they be dropped from the teaching list stands.
 The discussion of the system of marking teachers continued even af- ter the vote had been taken
 It's not a fair system declared Commissioner H11r1ey. CT have been told of an instance where a teacher made what the supervisor considered k- for that she was marked l0v.''
 Commissioners Hurley then made motion that the committee on schools and superintendent of schools devise a new and fairer system of marking the work of t91e teachers. Dr. Osborn system was very unfair and should be materially changed.
 '.Ii don't think any rule of the board is necessary regarding a system of marking teachers work said Dr. Deane. T have always felt that as superintendent of schools [ possessed the right to institute a system of checking I'D the work of the teachers Some of the teachers to whom have repeatedly spoken in regard to their work now tell me that they cannot re member any criticism ever made. believe many of these teachers are do- \ ing all they can do. They are teach CTS who are simply below par This statement brought quick. and sharp replies from Commissioners teacher fin Barnum school asked Commissions Challenger, 'swho had loniy seven of her 43 pupils pass their e1an1naf1ons for the next grade? I md her slated for a raise here Yes" put in fsarnmdssioner Bell, l how about the teacher who went af- terward and saved 50 per cent. of that room so that the pupils moved on? Why isn't she in here for a raiser" 1 pr. Deanse said he appreciated the good work of the teacher who saved the school but that because 8. teacher passed high percentage of her pupils it did not always follow she is a good teacher.
 We'll said Commissioner Bell, let's establish fairer system of the supervisors No one can spend 15 minutes in 9 room with a school teacher and then give her a fair mark ling on her yeats work
 Unless legal action is taken by some of the teachers or the board is over 1 whelmed by the criticism it is likely the marking system will stand After it was shown to be inaccurate, Com l missioner Hurley proposed that the committee on schools be instructed to l formulate a new marking system. and submit it to the board''
 Why not make the motion read "a marking system ?'' casually sug- gested Mr- Bishop, who is a member l of the committee on schools
 That's the way the motion read when it was put to the board and the l plan was adopted. AS a, result, it is ] believed, the committee on schools l will bring in the same system, and tn e same persons will support it. l