The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-06-10
YEAR ROUND SCHOOLS.
Experiment Tried in Newark, N j., is
Commended.


The alI-year schools of Newark, N. j.
are commended in special report by
w. S. Deffenbaugh, specialist in city
school administration of the bureau Of
education, department of the interior
Mr. Deffenbaugh finds that time is saved
street loafng is largely prevented, and
health is conserved by eliminating the
long summer vacation.
The children in Newark who have at
tended school for the past year or two
on the all-year plan speak enthusiastic
ally of it, The bureau investigator
asked the pupils in the seventh and
eighth grades to write compositions tell
mg why they attended school during the
summer Nearly all the pupils stated
that the schoolroom was much cooler
than the streets and their rooms at
home; that they were glad to have some
thing to do besides running in the
streets, and that they hoped to gain a
grade or two by the time they were old
enough for their work certificates. Par
ents who were interviewed favored the
plan because their children were able
to get more schooling than otherwise.
One parent said:
IF there were no summer schools we
would not know where our children are.
They would leave home early in the
morning and run all over the city. Now
we know that they are safe in the
schoolhouse and in no danger of being
run over by automobiles or street cars"
The attempt was made to find out how
much time the children actually saved
through the all-year schools. OF 27l
pupils in the sixth, seventh and eighth
grades, % made no gain, 81 showed a
gain of one third of a year, 80 a gain of
two-thirds of year 81 a gain of one
year, and SO gain of one and one third
years.
1t was found that the pupils in the
all-year schools not only made more
rapid progress through the grades, but
maintained as good scholarship as the
pupils in other schools. Many of the
pills were able to enter high school as
a result of the time gained in the all
year school, and these pupils have had
no difficulty in keeping up with their
work. IL is expected that many more |
pupils will now complete the elementary |
grades at IL years of age, enter high |
school and attend for at least two years.
Once in high school, they are likely to
remain even after the compulsory age |
limit is passed.
One criticism that has been directed /
against the Newark all-year schools is
that the pupils in these schools must do
ten months work in nine months in or
der to gain three months year and thus
the eight grades in six years.
1t should be understood, however, that
the regular ten months course has been
modified so that a pupil may complete
Il in nine months, and all non essentials
have been omitted Furthermore. less
reviewing is needed in September for
The children who have had only two
weeks vacation than for those who have
had two months vacation. The month
hat is usually taken at the beginning
If the fall term to review pupils in the
work of the preceding grade is not neces-
AIRY for pupils who attend continuously I
r. with only short vacations. IL
In regard to the health of the children
Who are kept in school during the sum
ner months, Mr. Deifenbaugh declares;
'The medical inspectors Of Newark re-
.ort that the health of the children who !
ave attended school all year has not
zen impaired in the slightest degree. The :
ocular school medical and nurse service
in the summer, so that the health
{ the children in school is better cared r
or than that OF those not in school. Good :
ealth habits acquired during the regu- :
IT term are not broken up by a long :
ummer vacation when the children not \
d school are beyond the influence of the /
chool physician and the school nurse. /,
he physician and nurse both report that >
be children who have been out Of school
uring July and August come back in
eptember in poorer physical condition 4
han those who have attended these two 4