Evening journal., 1915-03-01

= difference in the two statements of
S1.S9o9O for 1910, Ss.56s14 for 1911.
and S1.219.5S for 1912; a total diff
ference for the three yeprs OF
s6.67962.
Closed Book List.
''rhe Alumni Association desires TO
restate that the Board of Education
has adopted what is known as the
CLOSED book list BY this, as was
stated, is meant that only one book
is specified for a given use. while the
proved books and permits the prin-
cipal OF teacher TO choose the text TO
be used. Such is the general under
standing and use of these terms. II
would be absurd TO contend that one
company furnishes all the books used
in the schools. as no single company
publishes all the approved books that
the many requirements of the various
grades in the school course demand
Especially is this true in the High
School grades But it cannot be de-
MED that one company. namely the
American Book Company. has a mo-
nOpoly of the basal school books used
in the elementary grades. although IL
may be true that a few supplementary
books published by other companies
are used in such grades. That such
/ list is a CLOSED list is testified 70 by
| the fact that the various book COM
penies have requested that their
books be listed on the approval list os
( the board, but except for some few
I books that are used in the High School
grades they have been unable to have
/ their publications included During
/ the latter part of January of this
/ year, a member of City Council and
Representatives of twelve of the lead
ing book companies were in confer
/ ence and they protested TO him that
the companies they represented 'Tere
unable TO have their publications for
the elementary grades listed by the
board The above statements are fully
borne out by reference to the book
list containing the books regularly
adopted and published by the board
for the purpose of securing bids and
awarding contracts. An analysis OF
this list shows that of the eighty-onC
books. other than the large desk die.
tionaries, listed thereon. twenty-five
are used exclusively in the High
School grades. and fifty six are used
in the elementary grades. The ave.
rage attendance in the High Schoo
grades during the years under consid'
Grafton was S34. and in the elementary
grades 7,1S9. OF the iifty-siX books
used in the elementary grades, fifty
two are published by the American
Book Company.
The Mrcfr pootrc
In regard TO the music books. th
Alumni Association did not questio
that such were very desirable for ~.
I tematizing the course in music. IL
stated that there were IN the school
l7.llO music readers, 10 replace whic
the same number was purchased. TIL
reason given for purchasing the ne
books was that the books then la u.
were of three different kinds and tha
it was impossible TO systematize ti
work. The association does conten
however, that considering the po'
physical condition of the schools, Il
! complete substitution of new mus
readers was not advisable at that tim
. but could have been postponed until q
physical especially the sanitary--coi
ditions had been improved. Their retei
J tion could have worked no disadvantal
! TO the children. the Sl,700 could ha'
been placed to a better immediate us
and we are sure that with one of Il
ability of our supervisor of music
I, charge of this branch of work. satisfa
:, tory results could have been obtained.
H. Average OF Graduates.
III "In regard to the statement of q
= board in relation to the low averal
= OF graduates Of those entering IL
I, first elementary grades they stat
that such has always existed and thi
- it is a matter largely resting with th
M parents and guardians and one oye
, which the board has no control. TIL
= fact, III 10 IS a fact, that this has al
ways existed is no reason why
should continue to exist. The stu
alton is. as has been stated, that onl
about . per cent. of the students cr
u tering the primary grades continu
- and graduate from the High SchO0
7 while the average for the Unite
= States .as shown By the commissions
- of education. Is a little over 10 pC
= cent. Surely the parents and guar,
J. ians Of the children in this city al
IT not less willing that their childre
'r should receive the benefits of a
'f efficient public school education.
'r No. 30 School.
4 "As 10 the advisability OF buildir
D. No. 80 school. the Alumni Associate
'e is well aware of the persistent an
insistent' demands for a new scho
d house in that locality. Il is col
e tended, however, that such demar
i should not have been met at tn
p time. in view of the greater necessi
d for the Improvement of conditions q
e listing I'm other sections of the cit
= and which demanded immediate a
o tention. IL has already been show
d that there were 1882 vacant sea
p in the other schools, besides six "
" cant rooms, and no great hardsh
s, could have resulted in postponing Il
+ construction of the school.
II 'rhe sole object of the Alumni A
n sOciation Is that the children Of th
e city shall have the best education
It system that can be provided Publ
IS dissatisfaction with present conc
.. tions is demanding a change from Il
n present system. If this demand Is
}; be met. the association feels that
IS is IFS duty TO take such steps as
+ can to secure the best system obtai
,r able"