The Glenwood post., 1921-05-07
SCHOOL PROMOTIONS.

possesses great interest for both parents
and school children, and rightly so. 1t
is no doubt just now the frequent topic
Of conversation among the children
themselves at school and elsewhere and
between parents and children at home.
The fact that every child wants to
be promoted and is grievously disap-
pointed if he is not, and that the pa
rents are in complete accord with him
in this is not only natural but altogeth-
er desirable and commendable. To be
sure, the teachers would not have it
otherwise. Such is certainly a most
laudable ambition on the part of both
child and parent and makes for bet
ter quality of work than would be pos
sible otherwise. 1t would probably not
be far from the truth to say that the
teachers are equally anxious and eoa-
cerned, on the whole, in this matter.
Less, possibly, in some instsnsss, but
even more in Others The chief differ-
ence between the two is probably diff
ference in motives prompting the anx
iety.
Unfortunately, however, it frequently
happens that the pupil and parent esa-
not feel that the teacher has this same
interest that they have IN tAs in1fva1nal
case. The parental attitude very often,
if interpreted, would mean that they
felt that they were rspesssnti1g ~
child and his interests and the teacher
was representing the school or the in
terest of someone else. But despite the
fact that the school does not do the
thing that parent and child desire, it
Is representing the child and no one,
else. This being the case, there can
be no grounds for the parents feeling
that they are called upon to defend
their child against some one who is at.
tempting to perpetrate an injustice.
1t would certainly be unwise not to
let the teachers judgment determine
whether or not It is best for the pupil,
whom she has taught for . year, to b
promoted. Hers is the responsibility,
and neither the parent nor any one else
can relieve her Of II. This bsa1g -
case, she should be left free to exercise
her own best judgment, and the parent
may unknowingly and unintentionally
do the child an Injustice by bringing
any undue influence to bear upon the
teacher in the matter The policy Of
any school in a democracy is to see to
it that every child gets . "squars
DEAL and it certainly would not be
a square deal to the child to promote
him if he is unable to do the advanced
work, any more than to fail to promote
the well-prepared child.
It might be profitable to mention
some of the things that the teachers
and the school keep in mind in dealing
with this important matter, as import
ant alo for parents to keep in mind.
First, has been found that the present
school curriculum is a little too diff
cult for the so-called average child.
Second, about one third of the pupils
in the public schools throughout the
country are retarded, that is, failing to
make grade every year Third, the
teacher in the next grade above is ex
pected to get good results next year
with the material sent by the eacher
in the next grade below at this time.
Fourth, the easiest thing to do in this
and similar matters is usually not the
just or wisest thing. Fifth, the pupil
should be in the grade where he or she
will profit most from the instruction
given. Sixth, to promote pupil unpre-
pared for the work ahead means dis
coaragcmeut the following year, and
maybe ultimate failure in the end be
cause of a poor foundation.
The teachers need the sympathetic
CO opera ton of the school patrons in
their difficult task of making sure that
every one gets justice. and there is no
Doubt hut what they will come nearer
accomplishing this under such circum-
stances than where an unsympathctic,
critical attitude is taken on the part
of he parent. Let's remember that the
school and home have the same objec-
tive in mind, that of the eternal well
fare of the child, and that united eff
fort, "pull together" spirit is the
only thing that can have any promise
of progress toward that objective.
8. ]. STAPLES,
Superintendent.