USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1881-1890 > Part 29
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It is in our grammar schools that our system of oral and written examinations, and the ranking of pupils by percentages obtained from these examinations, has been in vogue. These examinations have been held chiefly in arithmetic, geography, language and spelling. The ability to read understandingly and to write legibly has not been considered of so much importance, probably because of the difficulty of marking the work in these branches. The result is that the teacher, pressed for time by the necessity of doing a large amount of work during the year, naturally hurries or neglects that part of her work which is not to be tested by an examination; consequently, if a lesson is to be omitted or hurried, it is either the reading or the writing lesson. In this I attach no blame to the teachers. It is the result of our system of examinations, and the crowding of the work of nine years into a period of eight years. With the course as now arranged we shall do better work in reading and writing. The revised course of study will be published before the opening of schools in September.
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PROMOTIONS.
Last year in my article on this subject I gave our system of promotion, and a few remarks on its practical working. The more I see of this plan, the more I am convinced that it contains much evil for both teachers and pupils. In making this state- ment, I refer only to that part of the system which determines a pupil's fitness for promotion by an average of percentages ob- tained in written and oral examinations. Of examinations, both oral and written, by school officers and teachers, I would have not less but more; but I would not have promotion based simply on percentages obtained from them. It is right that I should state a few reasons for this opinion :-
1st. The power of application, the habit of attention and the ability to think, which may be grouped under the one name of "mental ability," and which is the most important factor in determining a pupil's ability to do the work of a higher grade, can not be estimated by per cent. This no one knows, or has the means of knowing, so well as the teacher, and she can only ex- press it in general terms, as "good," "fair," or "poor."
2nd. It offers a premium for brightness in pupils, and places a penalty on dulness. If the dull boy has done his work faith- fully during the year, he has obtained the greater part of the ben- efit which he can derive from the studies of his grade, and should be encouraged by promotion, although he may not have been able to reach the standard in his examinations.
3d. Supt. White of Cincinnati says: "It causes worry, ex- citement and overtaxing of the nervous energy of the pupils, in cramming for examinations."
4th. It has a narrowing effeet upon the teachers. The teacher's aim should be to train her pupils in good habits of study and thought; to induce in them a love of knowledge for its own sake, and in all ways to use her best efforts to prepare them for practical life. These things she can not do when her whole attention is turned towards the problem of how best to prepare them to get 70 per cent on the next written examination.
These are the principal reasons for thinking that the system can be improved. In place of it I would suggest promotions based largely on the teacher's judgment. I am sure there is not a teacher who would hold back a pupil whom she considered able to advance, and pride in her work would prevent her from ad- vancing those not fitted for promotion. Doubtful cases could be
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decided by special tests given by the Superintendent and teacher. I am sure that it would result in more healthy work on the part of the pupils. They would soon see that their advancement de- pended upon honest work, and the faithful performance of their daily duties.
PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.
The Legislature of 1885 passed a law which provides that "Physiology and Hygiene, which in both divisions of the subject, shall include special instruction as to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics on the human system, shall be taught, as a regular branch of study, to all pupils in all schools supported wholly, or in part, by public money.".
It is now over three years since this law went into operation, and we are in condition to judge, in a measure, of its workings. No one will question the statement that the object of the law was excellent, viz., that the children, in their course through our schools, might acquire a good knowledge of these subjects, and that knowing the effect of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and nar- cotics, they would be better able to resist any inclination to use them.
In conformity to the law, text-books on these subjects have been placed in the hands of our teachers, and oral lessons have been given in all the schools.
In the attempt to comply with the requirements of the law, some difficulties have been met, which I will state as they appear to me. The same text-book is used in all the grades and the les- sons given have aimed to cover about the same ground in each. Now the laws of physiology are not simple, but the majority of them are very complex, and beyond the comprehension of pupils in the primary grades. They can learn the names of the princi- pal parts and organs of the human body, and some of their uses. This seems the limit of what can be taught during the first three or four years of school life. Then, in order to understand the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics, one must have some knowledge of the nervous system, a subject beyond the ability of pupils under ten or twelve years of age. Indeed, the majority of adults are in the habit of leaving this subject to the physicians, who in turn are likely to have different opinions re- garding it.
The subject of hygiene is easier. Even small children may learn what they should or should not do in order to avoid sick-
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ness ; for instance, that certain kinds of exposure are likely to induce colds, and that some articles of food are more digestible and more nourishing than others. They may also learn to value habits of neatness and cleanliness.
By the time the pupils have reached the grammar grades, their minds are better developed, and broader work in physiology can be done. They may now better learn the parts of the body in detail, and may begin to understand the relation which the nervous system bears to the other members of the body. When they have some comprehension of this subject they may take up the effect of alcohol and other stimulants upon the nerves, and through the nerves, upon the entire system. In the High School special provision is made for the consideration of the subject as a science. These subjects, unlike the progressive subjects, mathe- matics and language, are limited in their character, and were we to devote as much time to them as to mathematics, they would be exhausted in a few months, after which it would be mere lifeless repetition, distasteful alike to teachers and pupils,-a result which would cheat us of the very object we have in view. I think we can best comply with the spirit of this law by means of a care- fully prepared progressive course in these studies, which shall consist of simple lessons on hygiene and the members of the body, for the primary grades; these to be followed in the grammar grades by as much of the subject of physiology, including special lessons on the nervous system, as will be readily understood by the pupils, and this in turn to be followed by carefully prepared lessons on the effects of stimulants and narcotics.
One half hour per week devoted to this work would . be amply sufficient, and in the hands of the efficient teacher would become a source of profit and enjoyment to the children, who would look forward to it as an hour of relaxation in the regular routine of school work.
And after all, it is to the moral influence of the teacher rather than to any mere knowledge on the part of the child, that we must look for the good to be derived from a study of these subjects. Temperance is a matter of the will rather than of the intelligence. Boys may know the effect of these things and yet learn to use them.
. The teacher, in all her daily association with her pupil, can, and does do much towards the development of his character, in
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a direction which will better enable him to reject the wrong and choose the right, when he recognizes them as such.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
We have reason for thankfulness that, during the year, our schools have been very free from the more malignant forms of disease. There have been a few cases of scarlet fever, but in no case has it been spread through the schools. The whooping- cough has had its accustomed run, and has, in three of the pri- mary rooms, depleted the attendance considerably. This is due to the fact that, in the early stages of the disease, it is almost im- possible to distinguish it from an ordinary cold.
REPAIRS.
This year our bill for repairs has been large, but we feel that the money has been well spent. New fences were built enclosing the grounds at Braggville and Bear Hill,and the fence at Hoboken was repaired and put in good condition. Considerable expense was incurred by the necessity of moving the out-house at the Plains School. A much needed improvement was made by put- ting in concrete walks at the Park, Brick, and Plains Schools. These improvements, with the usual minor repairs, have raised the amount expended to over $1000, as shown in the Secretary's report.
CHILD LABOR.
The act of the last Legislature relating to the employment of children, and their attendance at school, is given in full. Under this law certificates have been granted to 30 children 14 years of age and over, and to only one child under 14.
CHAP 348. AN ACT IN RELATION TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHIL- DREN.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECT. 1. No child under thirteen years of age shall be em- ployed at any time in any factory, workshop or mercantile estab- lishment. No such child shall be employed in any indoor work, performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever pay- able, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or shall be employed in any manner during such hours unless during the year next preceding such employment he has attended school for at least twenty weeks as required by law.
SECT. 2. No child under fourteen years of age shall be em- ployed in any manner before the hour of six o'clock in the morn-
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ing or after the hour of seven o'clock in the evening. No such child shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment, except during the vacation of the public schools in the city or town where he resides, unless the person or corpo- ration employing him procures and keeps on file a certificate and employment ticket for such child as prescribed by section four of this act, and no such child shall be employed in any indoor work, performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever pay- able, during the hours when the public schools of such city or . town are in session, unless as aforesaid, or shall be employed in any manner during such hours unless during the year next pre- ceding such employment he has attended school for at least twenty weeks as required by law; and such employment shall not continue in any case beyond the time when such certificate ex- pires. The chief of the district police, with the approval of the governor, shall have authority to designate any kind or kinds of employment in factories, workshops or mercantile establishments as injurious to the health of children under fourteen years of age employed therein, and after one week's written notice from the said chief to the employer or his superintendent, overseeer or other agent of such designation no such child shall be employed in any such kind or kinds of employment in any factory, work- shop or mercantile establishment.
SECT. 3. No child under sixteen years of age shall be em- ployed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment unless the person or corporation employing him procures and keeps on file the certificate required in the case of such child by the following section, and also keeps on file a full and complete list of such children employed therein.
SECT. 4. The certificate of a child under fourteen years of age shall not be signed until he presents to the person authorized to sign the same an employment ticket, as hereinafter prescribed, duly filled out and signed. The certificate and the employment ticket shall be separately printed, and shall be in the following forms respectively, and the blanks therein shall be filled out and signed as indicated by the words in brackets :-
EMPLOYMENT TICKET, LAW OF 1888.
When [name of child], height [feet and inches], complexion [fair or dark ], hair [color], presents a certificate duly signed, I intend to employ [him or her].
[Signature of intending employer or agent.]
[Town or city and state.]
AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATE, LAW OF 1888.
This certifies that I am the [father, mother or guardian ] of [name of child ], and that [he or she] was born at [name of town or city ], in the county of [name of county, if known], and state
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[or country ] of [name], on the [day and year of birth], and is now [number of years and months ] old.
[Signature of father, mother or guardian. ]
[Town or city and date.]
Then personally appeared before me the above named [name of person signing] and made oath that the foregoing certificate by [him or her] signed is true to the best of [his or her] know- ledge and belief. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate of [name of child], height [feet and inchies], complexion [fair or dark ], hair [color], having no sufficient reason to doubt that [he or she] is of the age therein certified.
[Signature of person authorized to sign, with official charac- ter or authority. ]
[Town or city and date. ]
In case the age of the child is under fourteen, the certificate shall continue as follows, after the word "certified" :- And I hereby certify that [he or she] can read at sight, and can write legibly, simple sentences in the English language, and that [he or she ] has attended the [name] public [or private] day school ac- cording to law for [number of weeks, which must be at least twenty ] weeks during the year next preceding this date, and that the last twenty weeks of such attendance began [date]. This certificate expires [date, one year later than above date ].
[Signature of the person authorized to sign, with official character or authority ].
If attendance has been at a private school, also signature of a teacher of such school, followed by words,-certifying to school attendance.
[Town or city and date. ]
In case a child cannot read and write as above stated, the following may be substituted for the clause beginning "and I here- by certify" through to and including the word "language ": "and I hereby certify that [he or she] is a regular attendant at the [name] public evening school"; but in such case the certificate shall only continue in force for as long a time as attendance of such child at such evening school is endorsed weekly during the session of such evening school, not exceeding the length of the public school year minus.twenty weeks in place of attendance at day school as now provided by law, with a statement from a teacher thereof certifying that his attendance continues regular. If attendance has been at a half-time school, forty weeks of such attendance must be certified to instead of twenty. The foregoing certificate must be filled out in duplicate, and one copy thereof shall be kept on file by the school committee. Any explanatory matter may be printed with such certificate in the discretion of the school committee or superintendent of schools.
SECT. 5. In cities and towns having a superintendent of schools, said certificate shall be signed only by such superintend- ent, or by some person authorized by him in writing; in other
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cities and towns it shall be signed by some member or members of the school committee, authorized by vote thereof : provided, however, that no member of a school committee, or other person authorized as aforesaid, shall have authority to sign such certifi- cate for any child then in, or about to enter, his own employment, or the employment of a firm of which he is a member, or of a cor- poration of which he is an officer or employee. The person signing the certificate shall have authority to administer the oath pro- vided for therein, but no fee shall be charged therefor; such oath may also be administered by any justice of the peace.
SECT. 6. The certificate as to the birthplace and age of a child shall be signed by his father if living and a resident of the same city or town ; if not, by his mother; or if his mother is not living, or if living is not a resident of the same city or town, by his guardian; if a child has no father, mother or guardian liv- ing in the same city or town, his own signature to the certificate may be accepted by the person authorized to approve the same.
SECT. 7. No child who has been continuously a resident of a city or town since reaching the age of thirteen years shall be entitled to receive a certificate that he has reached the age of fourteen unless or until he has attended school according to law in such city or town for at least twenty weeks since reaching the age of thirteen, unless exempted by law from such attendance. Before signing the approval of the certificate of age of a child, the per- son authorized to sign the same shall refer to the last school cen- sus taken under the provisions of section three of chapter forty- six of the Public Statutes, and if the name of such child is found thereon, and there is a material difference between his age as given therein and as given by his parent or guardian in the cer- tificate, allowing for lapse of time, or if such child plainly appears to be of materially less age than that so given, then such certificate shall not be signed until a copy of the certificate of birth or of baptism of such child, or a copy of the register of its birth with a town or city clerk, has been produced, or other satisfactory evi- dence furnished that such child is of the age stated in the certifi- cate.
SECT. 8. The truant officers may, when so authorized and required by vote of the school committee, visit the factories, workshops and mercantile establishments in their several cities and towns, and ascertain whether any children under the age of fourteen are employed therein contrary to the provisions of this act, and they shall report any cases of such illegal employment to the school committee and to the chief of the district police or the inspector of factories for the district. The inspectors of facto- ries, and the truant officers when authorized as aforesaid, may demand the names of all children under sixteen years of age em- ployed in such factories, workshops and mercantile establish- ments, and may require that the certificates and lists of such chil-
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dren provided for in this act shall be produced for their inspec- tion. Such truant officers shall inquire into the employment, otherwise than in such factories, workshops and mercantile estab- lishments, of children under the age of fourteen years, during the hours when the public schools are in session, and may require that the aforesaid certificates of all children under sixteen shall be produced for their inspection; and any such officer, or any inspec- tor of factories, may bring a prosecution against a person or cor- poration employing any such child, otherwise than as aforesaid, during the hours when the public schools are in session, contrary to the provisions of this act, if sneh employment still continues one week after written notice from sneh officer or - inspector that such prosecution will be brought, or if more than one such writ- ten notice, whether relating to the same child or to any other child, has been given to such employer by a trnant officer or in- spector of factories at any time within one year.
SECT. 9. Every parent or guardian of a child under fourteen years of age who permits any employment of such child contrary to the provisions of this act, and every owner, superintendent or overseer of any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment who employs or permits to be employed therein any child con- trary to the provisions of this act, and any other person who employs any child contrary to the provisions of this act, shall for every such offence forfeit not less than twenty nor more than fifty dollars for the use of the public schools of the city or town. Every parent, guardian, or person anthorized to sign the certifi- cate prescribed by section four of this act, who certifies to any materially false statement therein, shall be punished by fine not exceeding fifty dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. A failure to produce to a truant officer or inspector of factories the certificate required by the provisions of this act shall be prima facie evidence of the illegal employment of the child whose cer- tificate is not produced.
SECT. 10. The expressions "factory" and "workshop" used in this act shall have the meanings defined for them respectively by chapter one-hundred and three of the acts of the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.
SECT. 11. Within one month of the passage of this act the chief of the district police shall cause a printed copy thereof to be transmitted to the school committee of every city and town in the Commonwealth.
SECT. 12. Sections one to six, inclusive, of chapter forty- eight of the Public Statutes, chapter two hundred and twenty-four of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-three, chapter two hundred and twenty-two of the acts of the year eighteen
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hundred and eighty-five, and section one of chapter four hundred and thirty-three of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven are hereby repealed.
SECT. 13. This act shall take effect on the first day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight. [Approved May 17, 1888.
REQUIREMENTS FOR NEXT YEAR.
I think the appropriations for next year should not be less than the amount asked for in the Committee's report of last year. The amount for salaries, fuel and incidentals can hot vary much from the amount expended this year. For repairs not less than $1000 will be needed. No painting has been done for several years, and many of the buildings are needing it badly. Indeed, there is hardly one of the wooden buildings that would not be benefited by a coat of paint. A few buildings should be painted every year, so that all might be kept in good repair. The ground at the Claflin School should be enclosed by a good fence. During the summer evenings the place is the constant resort of idlers, who commit all sorts of depredations. Last summer nearly all the glass in the basement and out-buildings was de- stroyed, and some of the sash were carried away. New seats will have to be placed in some of the rooms.
Our bill for text-books and supplies is larger this year than last. It is now five years since the free text-book law went into effect. At that time new books were placed in all the schools. The life of a book varies from three to six years, according to the grade in which it is used. In the primary grades books soon wear out, because the children are young and unaccustomed to their use. In the grammar and High Schools the pupils have grown more careful, and books last longer. In these grades the arithmetics, reading and language books have been in use four or five years, and must soon be replaced. This should be done grad- ually, that the whole expense may not come in any one year.
I have examined the reports from a number of towns in the state, and find that the average expenditure for this purpose is slightly in excess of $1 per pupil, based on cost and number regis- tered.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the members of the Commitee for the kindness and courtesy they have shown me during the
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time I have been in connection with the board. The usual tables of statistics are appended.
CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
TEACHERS APPOINTED.
Miss N. M. Conely, West street, July.
Miss L. B. Essex, High School, September.
Miss K. F. Tully, Assistant, October.
Miss I. C. Ashley, High School, January. Miss Nellie Pickering. High School, January.
Miss L. R. McLauthlin, teacher of drawing, September.
TEACHERS TRANSFERRED.
Miss L. Madden from West Street to Park Grammar. Miss M. E. Whitney, from Town House to Deer Brook.
The board were compelled to accept the resignations of Miss M. B. Smith, special teacher in drawing, Miss L. Patrick of the High School, and Miss L. F. Hayward of the Deer Brook School. Respectfully submitted,
S. F. BLODGETT, Superintendent.
TABLE I. Showing the total cost of each school and the average cost per pupil, based on the average number belonging.
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