USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1908-1910 > Part 39
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To accomplish what has been briefly outlined in the subjects mentioned seems a great deal to some people. This is because of the traditional method of teaching different subjects. It is diffi- cult to break from tradition. It is believed that all of the old must be kept, whereas much of the old should be omitted. If everything of the past is to be kept and there is little of the pres- ent to be adopted, then we have made no progress. We simply retrograde. Concentration upon a few things in each subject is much more to the point, and produces a more accurate and all- round intelligent pupil.
ORGANIZATION
A school system is organized for the purpose of giving to every boy and girl in the community such an education as will best prepare the individual for "complete living and for the participation in life's worthy interests and ambitions." The question for each community to settle is-What is meant by complete living? How far is an individual prepared for complete living who has received the bulk of his instruction in the three R's alone ? Are we to consider a pupil educated and has the com- munity done all it should for him, if we find on examination that he can solve any problem in arithmetic which may be given him?
186
or if he is able to show that he is a good fair penman ? Is the only test of efficiency of a school system the ability as a high school graduate to solve a problem in interest? Is there nothing more to be desired than the ability to locate some obscure place on the map, to analyze some complicated English sentence, or to solve some special problem in Arithmetic? 'To listen to some of the self-constituted critics, one would gather that the above is the highest efficiency of any system. We accept without question that pupils should be taught to read, write and cipher, because it is supposed that without these they are unequipped to enter
almost any employment. With such an equipment alone, how many are able to earn even the lowest possible wage? If it seems right and proper for the state to equip a pupil for this supposed basis for earning a living, why is it not also right and proper to send the pupil forth from the schools fully equipped to earn a living wage in some particular line of work? Furthermore, if education is to be confined to books, how is each community to deal with the ever-increasing number of individuals who are unskilled workman ? Suppose every boy and girl could be kept in school until a high school course were completed, and the same line of work were pursued for all, confined wholly to books ; or if you please give opportunity for the usual commercial branches- what special advantage in general would be gained for earning a living? We can not lose sight of the very commonplace fact that all pupils have not the same capacity nor the same interests. We must ever keep in mind also that early in the school life these diversified interests and capacities should be diverted into channels which will render the individuals capable of using their natural talents in the most efficient manner. This is the right of every individual, and the community for self-protection and for material advancement is in duty bound to respect it. The community that recognizes these things does not judge the efficiency of a school system by the test of whether a high school graduate is able to solve a problem in simple interest. To do these things needs the combined efforts and support of all-community, school commit tee and teachers.
187
HIGH SCHOOL
This department of the system is of exceeding great importance. At the present time the high school measures its efficiency by the number of pupils who are able to meet the requirements for en- trance to some higher institution of learning. . These requirements are those agreed upon by the colleges themselves. Tradition is responsible for this state of things, and the community is unable to rise above it. There seems to be wide difference between fit- ting for college and fitting for life. Ex-President Eliot believes that fitting for college should fit for life, and fitting for life should fit for college. Our high school should place its greatest effort on fitting for life ; we cannot afford much longer to put our great- est strength on fitting for college. So long as the colleges domi- nate as to requirements it will be necessary to meet these with the few, but the great majority of the pupils are pursuing a dif- ferent line of work. These are the pupils for whom the school should shape its policy. Whether we want or not, this is the work to be done. I firmly believe that the work in any subject should be the same for all who take that subject. What is neces- sary for one class should be given to the other and both should be equally difficult. Furthermore, I believe in our own high school we should in the near future add domestic science and in- dustrial work. Opportunity should also be given to boys and girls now at work in the factories and trades to pursue part time courses. This department is for the people and opportunity should be given to every one to get all the education possible. True it will require readjusting, but the efficiency of a school is judged by the adaptation to the needs of its pupils and not to the adaptation of the pupils to the school. I wish also to state here what I stated in a previous report, that opportunity should be given the 8th and 9th grades and in the high school to listen to individuals from the different professions, trades and business as to the requirements in these different lines of work, that pupils may have guidance in the choosing of vocations-vocational guid- ance.
188
REGISTRATION
The registration in this department on Oct. 1, 1910 by ye & s. was as follows : First year 63 boys ; 59 girls ; 2d year, 39 boys ; 58 girls ; 3rd year, 36 boys ; 54 girls ; 4th year, 29 boys ; 27 girls ; Post graduates, 2 boys. Total 169 boys, 198 girls. or whole number 367. It will be noticed that in the first and fourth years the number of boys exceed that of the girls, while in the second and third years the girls outnumber the boys, and in the total enrollment the girls exceed the boys by 29. This may be accounted for in that the boys have dropped out and gone to work in greater numbers than the girls. Their leaving may be due to- the fact that interest becomes lacking, low standing follows and discouragement results. Furthermore, it is true that we have nothing to offer boys outside of the regular course but Commer- cial work. Typewriting and Stenography do not appeal to boys so much as to girls, and fewer take it. The facts demonstrate that it may be wise for us to seriously consider the advisability of offering some other form of vocational work which will appeal to- the boys.
Following is a table which shows the studies pursued by the pupils in the high school and the number of pupils (boys and girls separate) in each study. This table is for the present year 1910- 11 and is marked table 1.
189
TABLE I
SUBJECTS
BOYS
GIRLS
TOTAL
Algebra
86
74
160
Arithmetic
13
32
45
Bookkeeping
27
42
69
Botany
28
22
50
Chemistry
6
8
14
Mech. Drawing
73
13
86
Free-hand Drawing
24
93
117
English
165
191
356
French
67
88
155
German
25
16
41
Com. Geography
6
3
9
Plane Geometry
38
55
93
Solid Geometry
8
1
9
Greek
9
12
21
History
120
132
252
Latin
54
71
125
Penmanship
28
44
72
Typewriting
26
44
70
Stenography
26
44
70
Com. Law
12
8
20
Physics
34
30
64
Phy. Geography
8
10
18
Rhet. Exercises
29
25
54
Military Drill
113
113
190
Examination of Table I will reveal the fact that more girls than boys are taking the Commercial branches. This is signifi- cant and bears out the statement made above that Commercial work appeals more to girls than to boys. However, the table also shows that the Commercial department is quite popular, and warrants its existence as a part of the high school work. The fact that in the total enrollment of the high school, the girls ex- ceed the boys in number, it follows that almost all the classes have a larger number of girls than boys. This again is an argument for seriously considering the advisability of offering something in the way of hand work for boys, in order to hold them longer in school and to give them a better equipment for life work. In mechanical drawing and physics (elective subjects) in which hand work predominates, the boys outnumber the girls.
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL
The average cost per pupil based upon total enrollment for 1909-10 2452 throughout the whole system was $27.15.
The average cost based upon the average membership 2153.1 was $29.06.
The average cost per pupil based upon total enrollment 2390 for 1905-6 was $25.48.
The average cost per pupil based upon average membership 2067.6 for the same year was $25.99.
The same for 1900-01 based upon total enrollment 2003 was $22.06.
The same for 1900-01 based upon average membership 1794.7 was $24.62.
The cost to maintain the high school is not far from $13 819. The average cost per pupil based upon total enrollment 382 for the year 1909-10 was $35.29.
The average cost per pupil based upon the average member ship 346.8 was $42.73.
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From this it would appear that it is necessary to do all in our power to so arrange the work that all may receive the most for > the amount of money expended. At this point I would respect- fully call your attention to the report of the High School Principal, which contains facts and recommendations worthy of consideration.
RETARDATION
During the past two or three years every Superintendent has. set to work to ascertain the facts and causes of slow progress in his own system of schools. Two years ago in my report certain facts were given showing the number of pupils in different grades. and year and their ages. These findings were significant and showed many cases of retardation especially among the middle grades. In my present report will be found tables in greater de- tail. These tables should be read by everyone. They are espe- cially significant. What shall be done to better the condition of things? Is it not manifest that a more careful examination of the physical defects is necessary ? Does it not signify that greater flexibility should exist in the course of study, and that more care- ful study should be made as to the kind of instruction to be given in the upper grades and in the high school? Are we giving just what we should to the pupils in order that they may remain in school a longer time? Are we aware of the fact that for every pupil who repeats a year's work it costs the town double to edu- cate that pupil? The following Table (Table 2) shows the number of pupils in each grade or year throughout the system (one Table for boys and one for the girls) giving the number who are of dif- ferent ages in each grade or year. The facts were taken Oct. 1. Attention is called to the fact that pupils enter our first grade at five years of age ; the normal age, therefore, for each grade should be : 6 yrs. for the 2d; 7 yrs. for the 3rd; 8 yrs. for the 4th; 9 yrs for the 5th; 10 yrs. for the 6th; 11 yrs. for the 7th; and so on, completing the High school course of four years at the age of 17 years. Examination of the table will reveal the fact that the age of entrance is quite uniform ; those over age being foreigners, or those entering late; over these conditions school authorities have little control. The repeaters in this grade are mostly those
192
who are immature. The heavy type shows the columns of normal age. The large number who are above the normal fage is very significant and is a serious problem. Many reach the age of 14 years before they have finished even the seventh grade. Their education is therefore very incomplete. ' At the present time, according to the table, 98 pupils will have reached the age of 14 years when they enter the seventh grade. This means that many of them will leave school and enter upon their life work. The question is, Are they sufficiently equipped to leave? If not, what can we do for them to give them a better equipment?
TABLE II -BOYS
GRADES
5 yrs
6 yrs.
7 yrs
8 yrs
9 yrs.
10 yrs.
11 yrs.
12 yrs
13 yrs
14 yrs
15 yrs.
16 yrs.
17 yrs.
18 yrs.
19 yrs.
20 yrs.
21 yr's.
22 yrs.
TOTAL
First . .
83
29
10
3
1
. ...
. . .
·
.
3
49
36
16
7
2
· · ·
.
. ...
Third .
2
46
42
15
3
2
1
2
113
Fourth
5
32
28
17
6
1
1
. .
.
.
·
90
Fifth.
4
33
26
17
9
8
98
Sixth. .
3
42
46
22
13
1
125
Seventh
4
38
30
21
8
·
....
·
ʻ
. .
101
Eighth
5
30
32
11
4
1
. .
·
.
. .
83
Ninth
.
.
. .
·
.
· ·
78
High First
17
9
2
1
. .
63
High Second .
17
11
3
1
39
High Third .
6
16
8
6
36
High Fourth ..
3
15
10
1
29
Post Graduates . . . .
.
.
·
..
.
. .
·
. .
. .
....
. .. .
2
Total.
86
80
97
97
87
94
112
100
110
87
56
43
30
18
1
1,098
.
. . ·
.
·
.
. ...
. .
..
·
....
.
·
. .
. . .
·
.
.
2
.
·
·
6
30
12
3
6
27
28
7
....
·
1
115
Second.
126
.
193
TABLE II-GIRLS
GRADES
5 yr's
6 yrs.
7 yr's
9 8 yrs.yrs.
10 yrs.
11 yrs
12 yrs.
13 yrs.
14 yrs.
15 yrs
16 yı's
17 yr's.
18 yr's.
19 yrs.
20 yr's
21 yrs
22 yrs.
TOTAL
First
76
29
5
1
2
1
1
115
Second
10
71
27
12
4
2
1
1
109
Third
6
58
24 53
37
8
1
3
2
1
1
111
Fourth
6
50
34
13
8
1
1
89
Sixth
8
33
20
17
8
3
Seventh
39
37
23
4
1
Eighth ..
3
29
28
11
5
Ninth
T
5
28
30
20
4
1
9
27
10
11
High First.
1
10
26
15
6
8
28
16
1
1
9
12
1
1
27
Post Graduate
--
Total
86
106
95
96
115
84
78
103
99
89
71
63
32
13
2
1
1,132
--
104
76
88
59
High Second
54
High Third
4
High Fourth
5
16
5
1
129
113
Fifth
58
194
-
195
To further illustrate in a more specific sense the retardation in each grade, the following Table (Table 3) is given which shows a comparison between the years 1905-6, and 1909-10 giving the number of pupils of each grade in the elementary schools who failed of promotion. The percent of failures of the total enroll- ment at the end of the years compared is about the same, showing that about the same number fail each year. In each case a large number failed of promotion the first and second years. This is largely due to immaturity. Grades five and six show an increased number of failures. Investigation shows that the reasons for failure are-immaturity, irregularity of attendance for one cause or another, changing from one school system to another, dull and sub-normal.
TABLE III
Number promoted
Number failed
Total membership
Percent of failure
Grades
1905-6
1909-10
1905-6
1909-10
1905-6
1909-10
1905-6
1909-10
First
195
214
52
52
247
266
23++
19++
Second
212
219
14
30
226
249
12-+
Third
225
181
9
18
234
199
3+
9++
Fourth
253
200
6
16
259
216
2+
7++
Fifth
192
222
14
17
206
239
6-1
6+
% Sixth
170
211
7
13
177
224
3+
5+
Seventh
174
158
4
10
178
168
2+
5+
Eighth
146
175
3
7
149
182
Ninth
115
129
4
1
119
130
3+
Total
1,682
1,709
113
164
1,795
1,873
6+
8++
196
.
197
Upon further investigation, the result of which is somewhat startling, another table is given which shows the number of pupils in each grade or year throughout the school system who are now repeating or who have repeated a year at some time during their school course. The cases are numerous and will bear investiga- tion. A closer examination as to physical defects is worth while. A pupil who repeats is a double cost to the community, and this alone is worth considering If a physicaldefect can be removed, is this not an economical measure for the town to adopt ? A different line of work might be introduced for those who because of dulness are retarded.
TABLE IV
Grade
Number
1st
71
2d
71
3d
85
4th
90
5th
62
6th
76
7th
64
8th
51
9th
36
High First
32
Second
21
Third
14
Fourth
10
Total
683
198
The preceding tables with reference to retardation have a peculiar significance.
1. Retardation would be lessened in the first and second grades by raising the age of entrance to five and one-half or six years. Many pupils are too immature at the age of five to do the work of the first year of school.
2. A different kind of work is necessary for certain classes of children-work in which the use of the hands predominate.
3. A more specific medical examination of children to discover physical defects, which taken in time may be remedied and the pupils rendered capable of doing regular school work. (Removal of adenoids and enlarged tonsils would possibly help a number of pupils ).
4. Greater care on the part of parents to see to it that their children are more regular in attendance; that more attention be given to the health of the children in the home.
5. Dental inspection would no doubt reveal many cases where the condition of the teeth is a hindrance to the progress of the pupils-producing poor health.
The expense necessary to discover physical and mental defects and then put into operation such plans as will alleviate and make it possible for a greater development of the pupil would be much less than it costs now to educate the many pupils who because of some mental defect must repeat the work of each year. As be- fore stated, it costs twice as much to educate the child who repeats a year as it does the one who is promoted regularly.
From the truant officer's report the following facts are gleaned :
Whole number of absent cases investigated 143
Causes :
Truancy
51
Negligence of parents
. .
46
Sickness
.
19
Miscellaneous
.
27
Five cases were taken into court.
199
EVENING SCHOOL
The Evening School owing to the change in the interpretation of law by the legislature with reference to the term "Minor" from age of 18 to 21, has caused a falling off in the registration of illiterate minors or those who are required to attend.
The registration is as follows :
Whole number of illiterates between 16 and 18, 34.
over 18, 29.
Whole number attending who desire to take advan- tage of the evening school to extend their educa- tion, 15.
The first class are obliged to attend regularly according to the law. The second and third classes deposit a certain amount which. is returnable and insures regular attendance.
SEWING CLASS
An evening sewing class has been maintained since Nov. 1st. The number is limited to 55. Entrance is restricted to young women who are not members of the public schools. Much inter- est is manifested, and the attendance has remained normal. The course is intended to give instruction in plain sewing, cutting and fitting and the use of the sewing machine. To this will be added incidental instruction in Arithmetic and English ; talks on hygiene and home making are also planned for the season.
DRAWING
With the opening of the present school year, our new Supervisor, Miss Amy L. Butterfield, took charge of the work. She comes to us well recommended and her grasp of the various problems pre- sented, proves that she is a capable and efficient supervisor. It is the aim of this department to make the work of the drawing practical in such a way as to justify its existence as a subject to be taught in the schools. The mere teaching of drawing-color, design, construction work, free-hand and mechanical as such with no apparent idea of its usefulness-is only little more than a pa
200
time. Unless there is a development of the esthetic in such a way that pupils will become keen observers of the beautiful and prac- tical in the home and elsewhere; unless they are led to see the use that can be made of the subjects in the home, in business, in the trades and elsewhere, it does not justify the time and money expended.
MUSIC
It is little appreciated, I fear, how much is done for the com- munity in the study of music in the public schools. If music is made a business as other subjects there is as much real education in the subject as any other in the curriculum. We are doing this, and instead of the former chorus singing we are endeavoring to teach music as music. Pupils should master the notation of music which will enable them to sing with ease any music set before them. The quality of tone receives its due share, so that music is enjoyable. Pupils should be able to sing without the aid of the piano, and the efficiency of the work is measured by what can be done in the upper grades. If 90 per cent of the puplis cannot and do not sing in the upper grades then we are not accomplish- ing what we should. The chorus singing in the high school and at the graduation is the admiration of all, and speaks well for the efforts made.
MANUAL TRAINING
Sewing and Sloyd work are making the usual progress. The sloyd work has been enlarged somewhat in that the pupils are given opportunity to make practical what they have learned in the use of tools. A certain amount of work by the pupils in re- pairing desks and chairs, making shelves and the like is done. It is the intention to increase this as fast as possible, that pupils may repair doors and windows, paint interior woodwork where needed and various other ways put into practical use the knowl- edge gained in the Manual Training Room. Under the direction of Mr. Peabody, the teacher, a steady improvement is rapidly going on in the department. -
The sewing for the girls is eminently practical in every way. Much interest is manifested, and the articles of usefulness seen in
201
the every day work, certainly indicates that in after life the work done in the schools will be of great benefit to all. It is hoped that in the near future the course in the subject may be extended to the high school. It is also desirable that sewing machines be added to the present equipment that girls in the 9th grades may be taught how to use them. Hand sewing, cutting and fitting are useful, but the sewing machine is almost an indispensable article in every household, and is quite necessary that the girls should be taught to use them under a competent instructor. The sewing teacher has asked for these for several years and it should meet with approval.
Our next step for the girls is cooking, and I trust that the town may see fit at no distant day to furnish the equipment for the 9th grade and the first year of the high school, that this may be carried forth.
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION
During the last school year there was organized in the Green- wood district a Parents' Association. This we hope is only the beginning of such organizations to be formed throughout the town. The above organization has been very active since its in- ception and has done a great deal to bring the parents and the public in general in close touch with the school and its needs. Through its efforts a very successful experiment in school gar- dening among the pupils was carried forth. During the Fall term of the present school year an exhibition of the products of the gardens was held, and much interest was manifested by pupils and parents. Under the auspices of the same organization a stereop- ticon lecture was given by Supt. O. A. Norton of Marlboro, Mass., showing views of various forms of industrial school work in different parts of the country. Many questions of vital im- portance to the schools are planned to be discussed by this Association during the school year It is hoped that some of these may take shape and be made effective in the schools.
The outgoing class of the 9th grade at Greenwood last year presented the school with a stereopticon lantern which has been a decided addition to the equipment of the school. . It is proposed and plans have been made to procure slides on the subjects of
202
Geography, Science and History and give talks to the different classes. It seems to me that it would be well for the school department to own such a lantern to be used in any of the schools for this purpose. Slides may be procured as a loan without cost on any of the above subjects, the use of which would create a de- cided interest on the part of the pupils in their studies. Face to face wi h views as above mentioned with explanation would clear up many obscure things in the minds of pupils and make the sub- jects more real.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
The law prohibiting drinking cups in public places and in school buildings went into effect Oct. 1 last. The School Author- ities have just completed the equipment of all schools with drink- ing fountains to conform to the law. These fountains are simple and inexpensive, and admirably serve the purpose. There is no extra and expensive work upon these, and we believe we have solved the problem of a wholesome and sanitary fountain.
GIFTS
We beg leave to acknowledge at this time all gifts made to the schools during the past year, and trust the donors will accept this as voicing our full appreciation of their generosity.
In conclusion, I wish to say that I deem it an honor to be con- nected with the schools of Wakefield as Superintendent and I desire to thank publicly all who have been and are my co-laborers.
Respectfully,
J. H. CARFREY.
Dec. 31. 1910.
203
High School Principal's Report
MR. J. H. CARFREY, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is presented my sixteenth annual report and the eighteenth in the series of the High School Principal's reports.
ATTENDANCE. PUNCTUALITY.
The year ending June, 1910, saw the largest enrollment ever recorded in the history of the school, viz., three hundred and eighty-two. Of this number, twenty were I ynnfield pupils, dis- tributed about equally among the four classes. The present year of 1910-1911 has shown, thus far, an enrolment of three hundred and sixty-seven, the falling off from the record of last year being due almost entirely to the unusually large number leaving by graduation last spring. The percentage of attendance for the year, 96.4, does not differ greatly from that of years past and is about as high as, in reason, could be expected.
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