USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1879 > Part 3
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With regard to the Evening School. your committee, who were at first doubtful as to its expediency, and quite uncertain as to its practical operation, are now happy to pronounce it an entire suc- cess. The number of young men, desiring to avail themselves of this opportunity to acquire a better education. and make up for past deficiencies, has greatly exceeded our expectations. We have been highly gratified to observe their zeal and devotion to their studies,
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and the progress they have made. We are thus led to recommend the continued support of the Evening School.
The appropriation made for repairs proved quite insufficient for the work to be done. But the Committee deemed it clearly their duty to see the school buildings of the town did not suffer from neglect, and to keep them in good repair. They believe the repairs were necessary and the money well expended.
A large sum has been spent during the year for exchange of books, which has caused the excess of our expenses over our re- ceipts. The introduction of new books is a matter that has been under consideration for many years, but owing to the hard times, action has been delayed, and Milford had fallen far behind other towns in this respect. Your Committee felt that changes were so essential to the interests of our schools, that it was unwise to delay longer the use of certain books, believed to be much superior to those formerly in use in our Common schools. This large purchase of books was made at the lowest rates, and on the most reasonable terms.
The salaries of some of our teachers have been reduced the past year, that of the Principal of the High School from $1800 to $1600; those of three Principals of our Grammar Schools from $720 to $648.
After careful consideration, your Committee recommend the following appropriations for the ensuing year :
For salaries of teachers
$16500 00
" superintendent .
1500 00
Care of houses.
1000 00
Fuel.
1000 00
Repairs
1000 00
Incidentals 1000 00
Evening School 500 00
$22,500 00
C. J. THOMPSON,
J. T. CANAVAN,
G. W. JOHNSON, Z. C. FIELD.
G. E. STACY,
C. A. DEWEY.
School Committee.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
MILFORD, MASS., February 10, 1879. TO THE CITIZENS OF MILFORD :
In submitting to you my second annual school, report, it is very gratifying to record that steady progress has attended the efforts put forth in favor of the public schools, and good returns have followed the appropriations made for their support. The evidences of im- provement, both striking and encouraging, will appear upon these pages. The report will also present a plain and honest exposition of the defects that still encumber our school system, with mention of suitable means of relief. Such recommendations will be made as appear necessary to secure continued advancement. An account will be given of the most important measures adopted by the School Committee. A summary of the services rendered by the Superintendent, will appear in this general recital.
CHANGES MADE.
When I entered the schools of Milford as Superintendent in September 1877, all the teachers had been engaged for that year, the promotions made, the schools organized and classified according to the customs and methods that prevailed. Under such circum- stances, it was evident that no general changes could have been well introduced at the outset. My first work, as I comprehended the situation, in making the acquaintance of teachers, scholars and citizens, was that of a careful inspection of the schools, and a considerate investigation of their condition, wants and defects. This work well performed, then the foundation would be laid for a regular and systematic course of action for building up and improving the schools. After a few weeks' resi- dence in town, I was impressed from my associations with the School Committee and citizens, that a general sentiment prevailed among the people and patrons of the schools, that the amount of useful school instruction and public education received was not commen- surate with the amount of public good which should be reasonably expected from the money expended. At the same time, I was further impressed from my visits to the schools that the degree of
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confusion which existed in their organization and management con- stituted a strong barrier to improvement and success. These vari- ous defects were set forth in a plain manner in my first report, and the proper remedies suggested.
Immediately upon the organization of the School Committee for the current year, measures were adopted looking toward changes, reforms and improvements in the school system. The leading measures adopted by the Committee, after full discussion, were embraced in eight votes or resolutions, viz : (1) That a suitable room on Main street should be secured for an office for the Superin- tendent of Schools ; (2) that school books and supplies should be furnished through that office at cost ; (3) that a practical English course for two years should be established in the High school, and that two sessions should be held daily ; (4) that the Superintendent report a schedule of study for the High school, which should in- clude a Practical English course for two years, a College Prepara- tory course, and a High school course of four years ; (5) that the Superintendent should report what changes should be made in the ' text books in the Primary and Grammar schools ; (6) that promo- tions to higher grades of school should be made upon a basis of proficiency in scholarship ; (7) that scholars completing the Gram- mar school studies and passing in a satisfactory manner the oral and written examinatons, shall receive certificates which will admit them to the High school without further examination; and (8) that the Superintendent prepare a new schedule or manuel of study for the Primary and Grammar grades. The reasons which demanded the adoption of these measures, were presented in my last report and need not be repeated here.
The School Committee, in adopting these measures, evidently designed to amend thoroughly the school system of the town and establish it upon a basis adapted to the present actual condition and wants of public instruction. All of the measures specified have been incorporated into the management and working of the schools. Thus the school history of Milford for the past year will stand out prominently on account of changes made and new fea- tures introduced, and will be distinguished in after years as an era of progress in the work of public instruction. Attention is invited to a more detailed account of the execution of these votes, and the favorable results attending.
OFFICE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.
The care of renting and furnishing a room which could be used by the Superintendent, was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Johnson, Canavan and the Superintendent. A room on the second floor in Washington Block, furnished with a carpet, stove and book-case, was engaged at a rent of five dollars per month. The cost of furnishing the office has been : Chairs, $10.75 ; table, $5.00 ; bureau, $3.00 ; lamp, $3.00 ; mirror, 75 cts ;
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mat and other articles, $1.50. Total $24.00. The cost of fuel and lights to date has been about $6.75. The meetings of the School Committee have been held in this room, and the school supplies have been kept there. The regular office hours of the Superinten- dent have been from 8 to 9 o'clock each morning, when the schools are in session, and Monday and Friday evenings at 7 o'clock.
SCHOOL BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Section 29 of Chapter 38 of the school laws, prescribes that " the School Committee shall procure, at the expense of the city or town, a sufficient supply of text books for the public schools, and give notice were they may be obtained. Said books shall be fur- nished to the pupils at such prices as to merely reimburse the ex- pense of the same. The School Committee may also procure, at the expense of the town or city, such apparatus, books of reference, and other means of illustration, as they deem necessary for the schools under their supervision, in accordance with appropriations therefor previously made."
Acting in accordance with the compulsory mandates of the law just quoted, the Committee made provisions for supplying text books to scholars through the office of the Superintendent of schools from the beginning of the Fall term. Before any purchase of books was made in Boston, a committee consisting of Messrs. Johnson, Stacy and the Superintendent, was appointed to call upon the publishers, or their agents, and ascertain their lowest prices. We were informed that towns could buy books at rates somewhat less than ordinary retail dealers. It is not possible to report low many dollars have been saved to parents during the past six months by this public supply of school books. I can report, however, the saving in the first cost. The school books held by the book-sellers of Milford, September 1st, were taken by the Committee at the wholesale rates which they paid. The wholesale prices paid for the Readers here and to the publishers were the same, with a dis- count of ten per cent. by the publishers. This discount or saving has amounted to $31.38. That sum, diminished by the trifling ex- pense of transportation, added to the usual profit of the traders, would show the actual saving on the Readers.
The following table will show the saving in first cost of the common school books :
Publishers'
to wholesale
price.
Net cost at
a discount
of 10 per
Traders'
wholesale o price.
Saving per
Large Arithmetic,
.468
.212
Small Arithmetic,
.28
.252
.31
.058
Large Grammar,
.45
.405
.50
.095
Small Grammar,
.28
.252
.30
.048
Large Geography,
.94
.846
1.05
.204
Small Geography,
.45
.405
.56
.155
book.
o cent.
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Such school supplies as crayons, black-board erasers, slate and lead pencils, pens and penholders, ink-wells, globes, diction- aries and other books for teachers' use and reference, paper for written examinations, and the like, have been purchased in Boston at wholesale rates. Water pails, water dippers, brooms, dusters, and door mats, have been bought at stores in Milford at a discount upon the retail prices.
Ink and slates have not been furnished by the Committee. Some saving would be made by purchasing the ink by the quantity and delivering it through this office. It may be well to state that an agent of a responsible firm has called upon me who offers good ink for 90 cents per gallon, delivered free, and warrants the same to be uninjured by freezing.
REVISION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL COURSE.
It is not necessary to review the various reasons presented in the report of last year which influenced the Committee to adopt measures which have secured a thorough reconstruction of the High school course. This statement will be sufficient : that, in my opin- ion, the Committee deliberately acted with reference to conferring the "greatest good upon the largest number."
Much time and study was devoted to the preparation of this re- vised course of study. The Superintendent had the subject under consideration three months before reporting in a printed form. Each member of the School Committee examined and considered the re- port in a careful manner. The principal of the High school was asked to consider the matter and to give his views before the Com- mittee. Finally, at a meeting of the School Committee held Aug. 29, 1878, the report of the Superintendent was approved and adopt- ed without any change.
That report is here incorporated. The figure at the right of a study indicates the number of recitations per week, when less than five :
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE - FOUR YEARS.
BUSINESS COURSE-TWO YEARS. FIRST YEAR.
English Language and Literature.
FALL TERM. Mathematics. - Science.
Grammar, a 3.
Reading and Spelling,
b 2.
Book-keeping. c 3.
Drawing. 2.
Physical Geog .. d 5.
a. Prefixes, suffixes, word analysis, parsing, grammatical analysis, sentence mak- ing. b Vocal drill.
c. Forms for bills, notes, receipts, etc. Daily drill exercise of 10 minutes in the four simple rules of arithmetic, and their combinations.
d. Familiar lectures by teacher upon mineralogy and geology.
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WINTER TERM.
Grammar, e 3. Reading, Spelling and Defining, 2 f.
Book-keeping. ( 4. Drawing, 1.
Physical Geog .. h 5.
e. Syntax, correction of forms of expressions and sentences, analysis of poetry, parsing. sentence making, letter writing. f Vocal drills continued.
g. Daily drill exercise in common and decimal fractions, their combinations, and in arithmetical analysis.
h. Lectures by teacher upon plants, animals, and ethnography.
SPRING TERM.
Civil Government, ¿ 3. Composition & Speak- ing. 1.
Reading. 1.
Business Arith. j 4. Drawing, 1.
Physiology and
Hygiene, k 5.
i. Composition and speaking by the class, in divisions.
j. Explanations and drill exercises upon the principles of the simple rules, frac- tions, analysis, percentage, proportion and square root, with test examples. Solution of business problems. Illustrative examples composed by scholars.
k. Lectures by teacher upon ventilation, food, clothing, cleanliness, light, heat, exercise, sleep, etc.
GENERAL EXERCISES.
Singing, Lecture by principal,
15 minutes, 4 days each week.
1 day
66
SECOND YEAR. .
FALL TERM.
Ancient History, 5.
Algebra. 4.
Speaking and Compo-
sition. 1.
Natural Philosophy, 4. Drawing, 1.
WINTER TERM.
History Mid. Ages, 4. Speaking and Compo- sition, 1.
Algebra, 5.
Philosophy, 1-2 term, 4.
Eleetrieity,
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4.
Drawing, 1.
.
SPRING TERM.
Modern History. 4. Speaking and Compo- sition. 1.
Geometry, 15.
Chemistry.
l. Mensuration of plane surfaces and solids. Scholars completing the Business Course, and passing the written and oral exami- nations in a satisfactory manner, will receive cirtificates of graduation.
THIRD YEAR. FALL TERM.
Rhetorie. m. . | Geometry.
| Geology.
m. Frequent illustrative exercises, prepared by scholars.
WINTER TERM.
Rhetorie. Rhet'l Composition and Analysis. English Literature.
Geometry.
Astronomy.
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SPRING TERM.
English Literature.
Algebra.
Zoology, 2 weeks. Botany. 12
FOURTH YEAR. FALL TERM.
Constitution of U.S.and State Government.
Plane Trigonometry.
Mental Science.
WINTER TERM.
Political Economy, with essays.
1
| Surveying and
Mensuration.
Mental Science, with themes and abstracts.
SPRING TERM.
Topical review of Grammar, Geography and U. S. History. Elocutionary Drill.
Topical review of Arith- metic, Algebra and Geometry.
Moral Science, with essays and written discussions.
GENERAL EXERCISES.
Original declamations and themes by the Senior Clas's before the school. Written and oral discussions.
OPTIONAL.
Scholars can substitute Latin or French for two years in place of the Mathematics and Moral Science, the third and fourth years of the course.
Those taking the Latin, will pursue it with the classes prepar- ing for college.
FRENCH COURSE FOR TWO YEARS.
French Grammar and Exercises. Reader. Dictionary. Cor- rinne. Picciola.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE.
FIRST YEAR. FALL TERM.
Latin. Grammar and Reader. Mathematics and Science, for the year, the same as the High School course.
WINTER TERM. Latin Grammar and Reader. Latin Composition begun.
SPRING TERM.
Latin. Grammar. Reader finished. Composition continued. Ancient Cosmogony.
SECOND YEAR. FALL TERM.
Latin. Grammar continued through the course. Cæsar be- gun. Ancient Geography. Latin Composition and test exercises continued through the course. .
Greek. Lessons and Grammar.
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History. Ancient, Middle Ages and Modern for the year, ssme as High School course.
WINTER TERM.
Latin. Same branches continued.
Greek. Grammar and Reader.
SPRING TERM.
Latin. Same branches continued.
Greek. Grammar continued through the course. Reader con- tinued. Greek composition begun and continued through the course.
General, during the year. Greek and Roman Antiquities.
THIRD YEAR.
Latin for the year. Virgil, 6 books of the Illiad and Eclogues, with Latin Lexicon. Especial attention to syntax, prosody and id- ioms.
Greek. Anabasis, with Greek Lexicon. Especial attention to the verb, and to the grammatical and logical construction of Greek sentences.
Mathematics. The same as the second year of the High School course.
General, during the year. Latin and Greek Mythology. Exer- cises weekly in declamation and composition.
FOURTH YEAR.
Latin for first and second terms. Georgics of Virgil. Seven Orations of Cicero, with Lexicon. Grammatical analysis of Latin sentences. Logical analysis of the argument. Rhetorical analysis of the discourse.
Greek. Homer, with Lexicon. Greek Prosody. Idioms. Di- alects.
Mathematics for the year. Same as the third year of the High School course.
General, during the year. Written translations. Exercises weekly in declamation and composition.
SPRING TERM.
General reviews in Latin, Greek, and Mathematics.
General. Teachers in the Classical Course will be expected to notice and explain all practicable illustrations in Historical Etymol- ogy, in Comparative Grammar, and the meaning of words.
Daily, term and annual reviews in each study and course.
Written examinations in each study near the middle and close of each term.
Public oral examinations in all studies at the close of each term.
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Students completing either course of study in a satisfactory man- ner, and passing the required witten and oral examinations, will re- ceive certificates of graduation.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
The foregoing schedule of studies, with the brief explanatory notes, is respectfully submitted for your consideration as my report upon the revision of the courses of study for the High School, made agreeably to your request.
Respectfully,
JOHN W. SIMONDS, SUPT. OF SCHOOLS. Milford, Mass., Aug, 20, 1878.
At a meeting of the School Committee, held Aug. 29, 1878, the above course of study was adopted.
GEORGE E. STACY, Secretary.
CHANGES IN TEXT BOOKS.
The pressing need of a change in text books, excepting the Readers, used in the Primary and Grammar schools, was discussed at length in the report for last year. The Superintendent, by re- quest, reported to the Committee in August last what changes, in his opinion, should be made. The subject of these changes was considered and discussed.by the Committee in several meetings. Different views were entertained and expressed ; but when the final vote was taken which completed and established the changes named hereafter, that vote received the approval of each of the six mem- bers of the Committee.
White's Complete Arithmetic and White's Intermediate Arith- metic were adopted for use in the Grammar grades in place of Rob- inson's Practical, Robinson's Intellectual and Demarest's and Green- leaf's Primary Arithmetics. White's Primary Arithmetic was adopt- ed for the "desk" book of teachers in Primary grades, in place of Greenleaf's Primary, which had been used by scholars. Thus now we have two books in Arithmetic in place of four formerly.
Swinton's New English Grammar and New Language Lessons were adopted in place of Pinneo's English Grammar, Primary Grammar and Pinneo's Composition. Swinton's Language Primer is now used for the "desk" for teachers in Primary grades. We now have two books in Grammar, in place of three.
Harper's School Geography and Harper's Introductory Geog- raphy were adopted in place of Cornell's Intermediate Geography and Cornell's Primary Geography.
Harvey's Graded Speller has been adopted as the "desk" book for teachers in place of Worcester's Pronouncing Speller, for- merly used by scholars.
D
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The improved character of the work performed, and greater proficiency made by the several classes in the new books, fully jus- tify the action of the Committee in the changes made, without con- sidering the saving which will annually be made in the expense of books.
Several school books have been put upon teachers' desks for reference and use which are designed to aid the teachers and schol- ars by giving them fuller and broader views upon the subjects taught. I consider such aids essential to good teaching. Several volumes of these reference books have been presented by publish- ers. Those purchased, have been obtained at one-half the usual rates. Our Primary and Grammar grades are now well supplied with excellent text-books. The supply of reference books, including dic- tionaries, is quite good.
PROMOTIONS.
Acting upon a plan submitted to the Committee and approved by them, namely, that the promotions to higher classes be made up- on a basis of proficiency in study, the promotions made in Sep- tember sent to each school of Grammar grade one class instead of two, as in previous years, excepting No. 1 Grammar school, which still has two classes. This change has had a very favorable influ- ence upon the order and progress of the schools. We now have scholars in several schools who held exceptional positions as to pro- motions. They may not be studying all the branches, or not quali- fied to go on in all studies, or well qualified in any. These are the scholars who can attend school only a part of the time, as the winter, or have been in one school until they have physically out- grown it, and will not, in all probability, go through the Grammar school course. Unless the methods of promoting possess some rea- sonable and sensible flexibility, such scholars will be placed in grades so low as to effectually exclude them from school privileges. My plan has been to cheerfully admit such scholars, and place them in schools where they can receive the most benefit during their lim- ited attendance, and consider them exceptional scholars as to qual- ifications. In fact, I know of no other way of accommodating that deserving class of scholars under the present organization of our schools. Such scholars would be better accommodated and taught in an ungraded school, organized to meet their special wants. Such an ungraded school, located in the central part of the town, taught by a schoolmaster, would open a suitable place for the government and instruction of scholars unmanageable in other schools. There is no question but the efficiency of the public schools in Milford would be promoted by the establishment of such a school. I have no doubt that the class of scholars who would attend that school, would receive instruction and training well adapted to their wants and capacities.
The need and establishment of an ungraded school, as de-
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scribed, is respectfully submitted to the consideration of the School Committee and citizens.
ADMISSION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.
That class of the common schools which is usually denominated the High school, constitutes one of the grades in our free public school system. The advantages offered in the High school should be open and accessible alike to all youth who have passed, in a satisfactory manner, the previous studies. Unless this accessibility exists, that great principle which underlies the American system of education, and proposes to confer the greatest amount of good up- on the largest number, is certainly perverted. The promotions through the different grades in the Primary and Grammar schools are regular, depending upon the proficiency and ability of the scholar. A special and formal examination, conducted in an unusual place and by others than teachers for all who should offer themselves for promotion to a higher Primary or Grammar grade, would not really be more absurd than determining the admissions to the High school by one similar special and formal examination. The dread and fear of such examinations deter many from applying, and thus ex- clude them from the advantages of the free school. It cannot be claimed that a single examination, however justly it be conducted, would constitute an equable test of scholarship and ability. Timid scholars would be very liable to present evidences of inferior work. Bold and self-possessed scholars would do better than usual .- Hence, the examiner must inquire of the previous attainments and ability of the applicant, or render an unjust decision. Evidently the method adopted by the School Committee is just and fair to all. A careful record of the rank of each scholar for the year is kept by the teacher, in Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography and United States History, according to a uniform plan prepared by the Super- intendent. The monthly averages of this rank, are sent to parents for examination in the monthly-reports. These averages are sum- med up at the close of the year, and are used in obtaining the gen- eral standing of the scholar. This general average is further mod- ified by an average obtained from two written examinations, held each term, in which the questions have been prepared by the Super- intendent and the papers carefully examined by him.
When persons apply for admission to the High school who have not been members of the Grammar school the preceding year, then the public examination is the only test offered.
I think the Committee will find it advisable to extend to the High school that regulation common in the Grammar schools, which requires scholars not qualified by rank or habits of study for promotion to higher classes, to remain in that class a longer time, or withhold the diploma at the end of the course.
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