The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-02
EDUCATIONAL NOTES.

EDUCATIONAL NOTES.
A race to avoid being the last State
in the Union to adopt compulsory edu-
cation laws Is APPARENTLY under way In
the Southern States, according to re-
ports received at the United States
Bureau of Education. There are now
only hree States without such laws,
Florida having joined Texas and South
Carolina In adopting compulsory edu-
cation by Legislative enactment. The
three States still without laws are
Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
The new Florida law provides that
electors of any special school district
or county, the county board of edu-
cation shall call an election to ueter-
mine whether attendance shall be COM
pulsory therein. A three-fifths ma
jority vote Is necessary for adoption.
Children between eight and fourteen
years of age are required to attend
for at least eighty days each year.
unless exempt because of physical or
mental stability: because they live two
and one-half miles from school and
no transportation Is provided; because
their services are required for the SUP
port of a dependent family; or be-
cause their parents are unable TO pro-
vide books and clothing.
BY the provisions of the law the
county boards of education are au-
thorized to appoint attendance Of
ficers to enforce the law and to take
census of the children between six
and twenty -one years old.
Although the Florida law Is thus OF
the optional type, IL Is clear recog-
milton of the compulsory principle
and Is regarded as a real step In adj
vance.
Oniciais OF the Bureau of Education
point out that this years compulsory
educational legislation Is part Of pig
educational advance all along the line.
Nearly all the State Legislatures were
In session during 1915, and much OF
the educa tional discussion that has
been going on for several years
crystailized into law. The Alabama
Legislature has reconvened for the
sumner session and much school legts-
iation will be discussed, including
compulsory education law. The fact
that Alabama does not meet again for
four years makes 1t likely that
Georgia and Mississippi may get ahead
OF her in adopting compulsory legts-
lation. Unless action is taken this
year.
In the field of compulsory education
throughout the United States 1t liz be-
iieyed that the next steps will have to
do with the adoption of Statewide
laws where optional laws now pre-
vail: the raising Of the age limits in
conformity with the best principles
In child labor legislation, and more
strict enforcement OF existing laws
Promotions Without Examinations.
Few schools now rely entirely upon
examinations as a test for promo
ton" declares w. s. Deffenbaugh.
chief of the division of school admin
istration of the United States Bureau
of Education. in his annual review
Of school conditions in the smaller
cities
an some schools examinations arc
made to count one-half. while In
others they count only one-fourth. It
is now recognized that examinations
are not true tests OF the pupils ability
to do the next grades work. and that
a pupil should not he promoted on
what he knows, but on what he can
do. OF T5e superiutendents In the
smaller cities reporting see say that
they are now depending on examina-
lions much less formerly"
How pupils shall be classified so
that they may advance through the
grades without loss of time is ques-
ton that is continually presenting
itself to thoughtful superintendents,
according to Mr.. Deffenbaugh. and
some cities are undertaking special
experiments in this field
In Carthage, N Y, all those chill
dren VINO cannot read are started on
their educational journey In much the
same way. Gradually they are re-
grouped into three divisions. The first
composed OF the most mature and
most capable. comepletes a certain
amount OF work in one year: the next
group is given one and one-half years
in which to accomplish the same
amount. and the third. two years
Before the close OF the first year each
of the three groups is likely to be d.
vided again into the higher and lower
Therefore. each pupil who enters In
the fall with no knowledge OF the
books, has before him the possibility
of being in any one of SIX groups
before the close of the first year.
There is g special teacher In the lower
grades who devotes her entire time
TO misfits-those pupils who for some
reason or other cannot do all z their
work to the best advantage in any of
the regular groups. This teacher
coaches backward pupils and helps
the brilliant ones TO Jump to the next
higher division.
In East Chicago, Ind. child IL
promoted at any time the teacher
and superintendent feel he would be
benefited. The plan Is to pass pupils
II they are doing their best, even IL
the grades are tow.
The superintendent of schools i'm
Williamsburg. Va, reports: 1--WE use
the shifting group plan OF grading
pupils and O form OF reports TO
parents that keep parents thoroughly
informed as to the pupils standing
during the year. As each weakness
OF pupil Is discovered by the teacher
It becomes matter OF special con-
sideration and study by teacher. prin.
cipal and pupil. Tentative shifts can
be made at any time. The aim Is
to relieve the teacher OF all red tape
and to reduce routine to the minimum.
but to insist upon a constant and sym.
pathetic study OF the child-every
child--but particularly every child
who Is in danger OF falling behind
his class. No percentages or grades
are accepted from teacher as ex-
cuSeg for promotion or demoti0n. r.