New Britain herald., 1926-03-25
Less Loafing; Fewer Failures
 Noted At Senior High School

] HN' NNNt+ NStAb 'iAA4N1AF 10 NfN sHFN 0e nearly as possible in 20 parts, Alter about every four twentie,hs, supple mentary work and tests are provided for those who work more rapidly ana for those who are candidates for college certific,tion or 'honors
 "Ths assignments are typed and multisraphed, Each student of the course is given a copy In the arrangement Of the assignment, the following topics may be used; Intro ductory paragraph 10 arouse the confidence and interest of the stu dent Textbooks, reference books, ground 10 be covered, topics for study, standard Of attainment, out line of the assignment Gn twenty psrts), supplementary work
 The new marking system was 'n- 'roduced partly 10 meet the needs Of the new plan Of assignments and partly 10 introduce other changes long desired
 For some time tho school ad- ninistration had been dissa tisfied with the system Of marking, A per centage system which combined, in the usual way, fiction and chance and the very definite registration Of very indefinite judgments, had long been in use A new system of work gave the opportunity for new method Of keeping the records.
 The percentage system for all final records was done away with The chief question in determining a students credit was to be: Has he completed his task? A symbol had to be determined upon, a symbol that could be averaged with other symbols, and that would be readily understood by other parallel and higher institutions, without transla- ton and elaborate explanation. TO was made this symbol, 70 means that the assignment has been con- pleted. The demands of higher insti- tutions made necessary a further Justification and distinction, Work and tests supplementary to the mini mum essentials of the assignments were arranged and another symbol was needed. 'S0' vas selected to mean that the supplementary re- quirement for guaranty and certifi- cation had been met. The awarding of 'honors' i. had seemed best to re- tain. and so further supplem entary york and tests were provided. '65', 'o0', 'a5' and 100 became the sym bols for grades in the attainment of honors.
 "Under the old plan. it had been the practice of the school, every five weeks, to send out for those who were logging behind d so-callcd deficiency report This was discon tinued and for every student, pro- fcient and laggard thore was pro- vided an individual graph card. TEis card contains an eEuIn eration Of all the students courses in process with q scale divided in twentieths upon which may be indicated the ad- vance toward accomplishment. The instructor's autographed initials in rdicatn his agreement with th" students iudgm ant. A parah ! column for recording absences offera an opportunity for one explanation ot lack ot accomplishment. Tn" student Is expected 10 show his in dividual graph card whenever asked 70 do so by teachers, administrat- i've officer, or parent.
 "Wh"n the plan was introducel, no change was made in the system Of promotions; the regular quarter Iv reports 70 parents have been con- tinued 4 definite daily programme is laid out for each student; but rhen occasion requires. and through tie pass system, I student may ta'" time from 8 course in which he ha@ mot tho requirements and put addi- 'tonal time upon q course in which he is falling behind.
 The fourth of our innovations Is the nc" ordering Of the schedulrj period. The New Britain plan makes necessary q very close relation be tween teacher and student, In some cases it is resolved almost 10 priVa'" tutoring. To reduce the number Of such cases 70 a minimum and to cconoulit@ the time and energy Of the teacher. strong attempt is made 10 keep the large majority Of the group together. Directions and quizzes that may Just as well he given 10 tNenty-four at once as 10 each of the 2t as many different times are so given. There Is nothing in the plan to preclude activities bv the entire group together when cver all are ready or whenever TO particular preparations need be aa- sume5 Usually there gre 9. few In every group 1ho must work ny themselves. When surh eases become hopeless Tn the regular group, they are transfAvrna % q so-cal}ed ''un- rraded group" in which, because of smaller cnrcllmrnt, the instructor can give more time to the individual,
 Such are the more important remedial mrasYres which the eY- pericnce ct New Bri'ain suggests.
 That 'hn measures have been mora or lees successful Is indicated by q hctNr sririt of work than the present administration has ever seer lN 'he schcol--and that means rAriod Of almost i3 years-and by less loafing and by fAwer failures"
 FIGHT FIRE IN BOAT