USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1928 > Part 26
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The Evening Academic School
In the fall of 1928, 347 adults enrolled in the evening academic school which meets three evenings per week. The work for which they enrolled with a comparison with the past five years is shown by the following table:
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Subjects
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
Advanced Bookkeeping. .
Bookkeeping
86
82
83
79
47
Business Arithmetic.
90
100
92
119
69
Business English
164
178
128
191
109
Penmanship
54
96
55
89
44
Elementary Stenography .
186
166
165
142
103
Intermediate Stenography
18
Advanced Stenography . .
24
32
36
Elementary Typewriting.
182
235
215
194
142
Advanced Typewriting
36
37
Mechanical Drawing
182
87
92
69
42
Grammar School Subjects
18
11
23
21
Algebra.
.
13
49
35
. .
Cultural English
. .
.
During the fiscal year of 1928, $2,501.64 was used for evening school instruction and for free evening gymnasium classes. Main- taining free evening gymnasium classes is a new departure for the School Department. In the past a few women have participated in gymnasium classes organized privately and for which they them- selves paid for the instruction with the school department furnish- ing the gymnasium, light, and heat. In the fall of 1928 the school department advertised free evening gymnasium classes on the same basis as other evening school work. As a result 230 women and 28 men registered and classes were formed as follows:
North Junior High School -- 2 classes for women
South
1 class for women and 1 for men
Senior High School
2 classes for women
These evening gymnasium classes meet once a week for two hours under the direction of trained instructors and will probably be con- tinued for about twenty weeks.
It will be noted that all the academic evening classes are smaller than in past years. This is not altogether due to chance. In the past the school has been bothered by the enrollment of many young people whose purpose was frivolous. This fall greater care was taken in registering and it was made clear to all applicants that only students with a serious purpose were desired. Our registra- tion was smaller but it is one of the best evening school groups ever enrolled.
The evening academic classes as in past years are largely com- mercial in nature and will probably so continue. The principal, Mr. Charles B. Thomson, reports that a demand is increasing for a course to help prepare for Civil Service Examinations. It is hoped that enough students will respond to organize such a class next fall.
The Academic Summer School
The Summer School of 1928, with 552 pupils enrolled, requiring the services of 18 teachers and 3 principals, was the largest in the history of the school system. To care for the summer pupils for six weeks it cost the city $2,860.26 or $5.67 per pupil-less than 19c for each pupil per day. The table below shows comparative data for the past five years:
.
48
. .
20
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CITY OF QUINCY
DATA ON ACADEMIC SUMMER SCHOOL
Grades
Year
Total En- roll- ment
Average Mem- ber- ship
Per Cent Daily Attend- ance
Total cost
Cost per Pupil
1924
405
340.40
95.60
$2,187 82
$6 42
VB to VIIIA inclusive
1925
375
334.40
97.90
$2,153 99
$6 44
1926
465
406.59
96.97
$2,141 55
$5 27
1927*
423
394.46
98.48
$2,336 71
$5 92
IV-VIII
1928
552
504.89
96.88
$2,860 26
$5 67
* Summer School maintained for but 5 weeks.
The function of the Summer School varied somewhat from that of past years as nearly half of the pupils were bright pupils recom- mended by teachers and principals for summer study with the hope that thereby their progress through school could be accelerated. This meant extending the subjects taught and allowing the acceler- ated group to take four subjects rather than two as in past years.
During the first week every pupil was given the Ayres-Burgess Silent Reading Test P. S. I and the Woody-McCall Mixed Funda- mental Test in Arithmetic Form I. In the last week of school the pupils were retested with the Burgess Silent Reading Test P. S. 2 and the Woody-McCall Arithmetic Test Form II. The August test results showed that nearly every pupil had made commendable improvement as the grade medians, which were below the norms in July, were in every case equal to or better than the regular grade norms. The test further showed that the accelerated group justified the judgment of the teachers as they progressed at a faster rate than the others. In July the accelerated group had lower scores than the retarded group but in August the median grade scores of the accelerated group were better than those of the retarded group.
Of the pupils enrolled, 258 were in the accelerated group. Of these, 45 or 17.4% left before the end of the term; 21 or 8.1% were not recommended for advanced standing and 192 or 74.5% were recommended for double promotion. Two hundred and ninety-four pupils were trying to regain a lost promotion or remove a condi- tion. Of these, 37 or 12.6% left before the close; 19 or 6.4% failed and 238 or 80.9% were recommended for promotion.
Reports were received in November on 450 pupils whom the Mas- ters had placed in advance grades because of summer study. Of these, 211 were accelerated pupils of whom 128 or 60.6% were doing passing work in all subjects; 46 or 21.80% were failing in one subject; and 37 or 17.5% were failing in two or more subjects. Two hundred and thirty-nine pupils were those who had failed to be promoted in June or were conditioned in one subject. Of these, 133 or 55.6% were passing in all subjects; 50 or 20.9% were failing in one subject; and 56 or 23.4% were failing in two or more sub- jects.
The type of school work done in the fall by summer school stu- dents seems to justify the summer school economically. After ob- serving summer school pupils for three years I believe those chil- dren are more contented, happier, and healthier because of summer school attendance.
385
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Special Classes
The proper education of mentally retarded school children has been greatly helped by the establishment of three new Opportunity Classes, bringing the total number of such classes to five. Further- more, with overage classes in three of the Junior High Schools it is possible to there help many of the mentally retarded children of adolescent age.
A careful examination of retarded children revealed the fact that we now have 153 children three or more years mentally re- tarded and 16 who will be before they are fourteen years of age. Seventy-six children are in Opportunity Classes of the Elementary Schools and 23 children, three or more years retarded, are in Over- age Classes of the Junior High Schools. An Opportunity Class for the children of the north end of the city should be established as soon as a teacher can be secured. If the opening of the new schools at Merrymount and Adams Shore makes it possible to have a room, a class should be opened next fall in the Coddington School.
One of the greatest difficulties in the organization of classes for mentally retarded children is finding teachers qualified in every way to teach such children. Massachusetts has taken several for- ward steps in the training of teachers for this difficult task but is finding it hard to get young women of the proper background to undertake such training. At present many young ladies with normal training but unable to get places in the regular grades are taking extra training to teach backward children, thus hoping to obtain a position. They do this not because they are specially fitted for it or love to teach backward children but because the demand for such teachers is greater than the supply. During the spring of 1928 the entire state was canvassed to obtain three teachers. Many teachers whom we visited did not have the necessary quali- fications to teach in Quincy. Some that did seem satisfactory wished more than Quincy could pay. At present no definite under- standing has been reached in regard to the maximum salary which a teacher of mentally retarded children may earn. I believe that the maximum for this work should be placed high enough for Quincy to draw the best teachers to be found.
Under-age Pupils
In the fall of 1928, 36 under-age pupils were tested at the request of their parents. Sixteen received a mental rating which justified admitting them to school, 20 were refused admittance. Of the six- teen who were admitted to school their teachers report as follows :
Doing work of very high quality 60 66 good 66
1 66
6
average 66
7 2
66 below
Of the two doing poor work one child has been absent because of illness one-half of the time.
An analysis of the ages of children examined indicates that in most cases only those children one or two months under-age were successful in attaining a mental age sufficient to justify admitting them to school. If the policy is to be continued of admitting under- age children, the age of children who may be examined should be limited. At present all children who become six years of age on or before the thirty-first of March may enter grade one. It is recommended that all children who become six between March 31st
386
CITY OF QUINCY
and June 1 may be examined, if their parents desire, and if the mental test justifies it, may be admitted to school.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. Dear Mr. Muir:
Herewith I have the honor of handing you my sixteenth annual report for the Senior High School. Comparative statistics for en- rollment and membership are as follows:
1926
1927
1928
Number enrolled
1,524
1,594
1,691
Membership at date
1,480
1,552
1,642
It has been necessary since the opening of school in September to require pupils of the entering class, desiring to have typewriting, bookkeeping and other subjects of the Commercial Curriculum, to attend classes in the afternoon. An increase of numbers in Janu- ary will require a further extension of afternoon classes and the opening of school in September, 1929 will probably find the school definitely organized on a complete two-session system as existed before moving into the new building.
During the past year there has been a notable achievement in the thorough reorganization of the school curriculum. One feature of this reorganization has been the establishment of a complete pro- gram of physical education including physical training for every pupil in the school, unless excused by a physician, and a compre- hensive program of athletics, both competitive with other schools and interclass, with an adequate corps of competent coaches. To carry on the work in physical training, a full time instructor for boys and another for girls have been provided. More detailed in- formation regarding this work will be found in the report of the Supervisor of Physical Education.
Another feature is the reorganization of the program of studies particularly in the Commercial Curriculum. In this Curriculum, the work is differentiated after the tenth grade to allow pupils to specialize in accounting or stenographic lines, if they wish, or a general clerical curriculum is provided for the large number of pupils who will probably not make use of the technical commercial subjects such as stenography or accounting after leaving school. Such subjects as Business Organization, Office Practice and Com- mercial Law and Economics have been introduced to broaden and enrich the Commercial Curriculum. The study of Problems of Democracy is required of all pupils except those preparing for col- lege. and World History has been added to the list of social studies.
The Manual Arts and Household Arts Curriculums have been retained but with increased requirements.
The College Preparatory, Technical and Normal School Curricu- lums have been consolidated in the Preparatory Curriculum with opportunity for as wide a range of studies as will be accepted for admission to higher institutions of learning.
A General Curriculum has been added to the program where a pupil may have the widest possible choice of subjects and follow
387
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
his own interests almost completely always, it is expected, under proper guidance.
In all curriculums the common required subjects are English and Physical Education throughout the course and a year's work in American History and Government. In the interest of better scholarship, the number of points required for graduation has been increased from 72 to 80 and the grade for passing has been raised to 65.
Scholarships were awarded to graduates last June as follows:
Wollaston Woman's Club Scholarship to Mary L. Gassett, who entered Simmons College, and Mary L. Widlund, who entered Bos- ton University, College of Practical Arts and Letters.
Quincy Women's Club Scholarship to Anna M. Leahy.
Atlantic Women's Club Scholarship to Catherine H. Ryan.
Rotary Club Scholarships to Donald B. Gilman, who entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Franklin C. Davis, who entered Boston University, College of Business Administration.
The Washington and Franklin Medal for excellence in American History was awarded to Anna M. Leahy.
Besides the pupils mentioned in connection with scholarships, several other members of the January and June graduating classes have entered college. This brings up the constantly perplexing and misunderstood question of admission to college. The fact needs constant repetition that there are only two methods of admission to the New England classical colleges and technical schools; ex- amination and school certificate. The certificate implies a high grade of work on the part of the pupil, particularly in the later years of his course; and the examinations are those set by the Col- lege Entrance Examination Board which are uniform for all col- leges. Harvard, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bos- ton College, Holy Cross, Smith, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke and Wheaton require examinations for admission while the others will accept a certificate from the principal of a preparatory school in- stead of examination. It should be stated that an enormous num- ber of young people apply for admission to these colleges every year and of course only a part are accepted. So great a problem of selection has been put on the colleges that some of them have made it a matter of competition and admit only those having the highest grades in examinations or the highest preparatory school records. The Massachusetts State Normal Schools in line with other higher institutions of learning are adopting this latter method of selection. The College Entrance Examination Board examinations are intended to be a thorough test of the candidates' knowledge of the various subjects as well as of their power of reasoning. So searching are these that, according to the report of the Board, only a little more than half of all in the country who take the examinations pass them. We have been able to maintain this average at least and have in college many graduates of our school who are maintaining very creditable standing as evidenced by reports to this school from the colleges. The following will give an idea of the graduates who entered college in September:
3 passed C. E. E. B. examinations, entered M. I. T. 1 66 66 66 66
taking fifth year in pre- paratory school.
entered Princeton.
1
60
66
66
66
66
66
entered Radcliffe.
1
66
66
66
66
entered Boston College.
1
66
66
did not meet complete re-
66
66
66
1
388
CITY OF QUINCY
3 failed one examination each,
3 failed several examinations,
quirements for Harvard, entered Brown University by certificate.
taking fifth year in pre- paratory school.
entered schools other than originally intended.
9 members of 1929 classes took a total of 27 preliminary exami- nations in which there was a total failure of 5 examinations.
1 entered Boston College by examination.
2 entered Boston University, College of Liberal Arts by certi- ficate.
1 entered Tufts College by certificate and examination.
1 entered Wheaton College by certificate.
1 entered Emmanuel College by certificate.
4 entered Simmons College by certificate.
12 entered State Normal Schools by certificate or examination. 30 entered Northeastern; Boston University, College of Business Administration or Practical Arts; University of New Hampshire; and other colleges.
The above is probably not a complete list but includes graduates concerning whom we have accurate information. This is a good showing considering the fact that ours is a general high school with a large majority of its pupils not intending to go farther in education, to which group the greater part of our effort must be given and not the much smaller group intending to go to college.
The school acknowledges the gift of a beautiful colored engraving of the Cathedral at Seville given in memory of the Class of 1878 which has been hung in the front vestibule of the building. Also, we acknowledge the gift from Mrs. N. S. Hunting of a radio set with all equipment which we hope to install in the auditorium for use in assemblies.
May I express to you and to the School Committee, in closing, ouf appreciation of the help we have had, both in kindly sugges- tion and in material resources so that our work has been made more pleasant and has had, we hope, a greater measure of success.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST L. COLLINS.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL DEAN OF GIRLS
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir :
It is my pleasure to present to you the annual report of the work of the dean of girls.
In the past year those conditions which most peculiarly affected the work were, first, the change of our curriculum, second, the addi- tion of a full-time physical instructor for girls, and third the in- crease in our enrollment. The change of our curriculum made the electives within the preparatory course more elastic, it broadened the business course, and it brought the long-sought general course.
389
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
My records show that within the past year at least 500 girls have had guidance from the dean's office on their program of study. In relation to our department of physical training, from April until June, I supervised the organization of some 80 girls in tennis. In September Miss Louise Baker, the teacher of physical training, relieved me of both the tennis and the hiking clubs which I had organized in the previous Spring. In the Emergency Room our records show that some 100 girls were treated for minor sicknesses, due in the main to breakfasts too hurriedly eaten, inadequate ex- ercise, insufficient sleep, and unbalanced diet. Our girls very much need a class in hygiene in connection with their physical training.
The present double session makes a satisfactory social or club program impossible, and decreases the opportunity for afternoon pupils to take an active part in school life.
Social Program
The past year has seen some advance in the social program of the school. Four successful and largely attended formal dances were held. The football reception, for three years the least suc- cessful of our dances, has at last been replaced by the more dig- nified athletic assembly.
Seven clubs have been carried on in the activities of which girls participate. In addition, the Big Sister Club installation, a High School contribution made yearly to the city's poor, a Junior High School Day, and an all girls' Margaret Slattery assembly have been inaugurated.
Some work was done in the organization of cafeteria marshals. That work is prior to the growth of a student council, to be begun at a more opportune time.
The School's social program was for the first time compiled in advance as a school calendar. This will lead to a needed readjust- ment of school activities. A file record of student participation in school activities has been started. This study will lead to a limi- tation and distribution of membership.
A social program for our faculty has been inaugurated. In the past year there have been two organized socials and three teas for the entire faculty body.
Advising
Advising is the main work of the dean. Already I have men- tioned the fact that I gave at least 500 girls advice about their programs in the past year. I have dealt with some 20 disciplinary problems. I have dealt with about 60 girls who were irregular in attendance. In personal conferences with about 100 girls I have given vocational advice.
Failures
Next, the adjustment of failures is a pressing problem. Our academic failures seem to increase with our increased enrollment. In the past year, in the incoming class, the dean has had a per- sonal conference with each girl who received a failure mark, two group conferences with study habits as the subject of discussion, conferences with other failure pupils, with their teachers, with parents. From this work some improvement in the standing of the pupils has been evident; some failure has continued.
Orientation
The orientation of the incoming class has been facilitated by program conferences with the girls, by the Junior High School
390
CITY OF QUINCY
Day, by the Big Sister Club, by the five-week period assembly, and by the Mixer Party and the Shore Party for the girls.
Some closer organization of Junior and Senior High School guidance seems imperative.
Normal School Pupils
Normal School and College guidance have received special atten- tion. In the past year the dean has explained the requirements in grades and subjects to each girl who declared her normal school intention. In an assembly for the girls and in a tea for the parents Miss Pope, Dean at Bridgewater, further explained the require- ments and the opportunities of Normal Schools.
College Pupils
The dean has compiled a list of all girls declaring college in- tention. An advisor of each college has been assigned. In addi- tion the dean has had some fifty conferences with girls about col- lege requirements, and one assembly for girls interested in col- lege opportunity. In general, the dean's office has become a place with which the girls are familiar, to which many varieties of need present themselves.
Attendance
The dean has co-operated with the sub-master in the follow-up of girls who are absent or who leave school. The result has been a hastened return in at least 30 cases and a delay in the pupil's leaving school in at least 20 cases.
Financial Aid
This work has led to some 25 home-visits. It has led to the con- tinuation of an agency for afternoon and Saturday work for high school girls.
Seventy jobs have been distributed in the past year. Two homes were provided for needy girls. Twenty loans and gifts were ex- tended from the fund so kindly provided by the women and the Women's Clubs of the city.
The need of a scholarship fund to enable boys and girls to re- main in high school is evident.
Extra-Mural Work
The dean's extra-mural professional work has consisted in some 50 home-visits, the follow-up of the above-stated problems; in 6 speeches made to organizations in and near Quincy, that the work of the school might be better understood; and in professional ser- vice to the Massachusetts Deans' Association as chairman of the program; to the National Deans' Association as speaker at the convention, and writer for the Year Book; and to the Boston Uni- versity course for deans as assistant lecturer.
In closing may I express my appreciation of the co-operation of the teachers and principal in the establishment of my work. To you and the School Committee I owe gratitude for the prevention of obstacles and for concrete aid to my office.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPHINE D. BAKER,
Dean of Girls.
391
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir :
It gives me pleasure to submit the following report for the music department.
With the cultural, ethical and social, as well as the vocational aim in mind, we are endeavoring to so present music in our public schools that every child may have an opportunity to develop his particular aptitude in music, whether it may be as a singer or a performer upon an instrument, or merely one of the larger group of appreciative and discriminating listeners.
Vocal music, including the correct use of the voice, music read- ing, and love for singing, is emphasized from the first grade through the senior high school grades-compulsory through the ninth, and elective in senior high. The fact that over seventy-five per cent of the senior class elect chorus work shows that the work is properly stimulated. Girls' and boys' glee clubs of selected voices have been formed in all junior high schools and public performance is encouraged. Operettas were given this year in two of the juniors and in the senior high school, and, following your sugges- tion, each junior high school is planning to produce an operetta during the coming year. The spirit established between the music department and the other departments of the school system makes the value of operettas a lesson in co-operation. Added to this is a marked value in the fostering and encouragement of young solo voices. In order not to lose sight of the higher musical interest in true choral work and artistic performance, the combined junior high school mixed glee clubs have just given in public concert a choral version of Sir Arthur Sullivan's "Pinafore" with the solo parts rendered by members of the clubs.
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