USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1908-1909 > Part 45
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There have been some experiments by far-seeing men, some by private concerns, and some by the State to find some solu- tion of our problem. The General Electric Company of Lynn, and the textile schools of New Bedford and Lowell have organ- ized classes for industrial training. The first evening industrial school established by the State Industrial Commission has been in operation in Cambridge for two years. The Lowell Institute in 1903 established a school for industrial foremen. Lawrence and Fitchburg have arranged courses designed for pupils be- tween the ages of fourteen and sixteen in which half the time is given to school work and half to work in shops of manufac- turing plants.
All these plans are possible only in places having large manu- facturing industries. It may be easily seen that such plans are not applicable to our community. There is little call or opportu- nity for development here along trade-school lines. The prob- able development in High Schools of the type of ours is along the line of an extension of the manual training courses to in- clude, besides the wood-working, mechanical drawing, pattern-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
making, forging and machine work. For girls the develop- ment tends along the line of domestic science, dressmaking and millinery. With these subjects will be included the mathematics, drawing and English, necessary for a complete practical knowl- edge and ability to express this knowledge in good language. While this training will not give a boy a trade, it will give him the manual dexterity and grasp of the practical sides of things necessary to quick success in any mechanical pursuit he may enter.
THE HIGH SCHOOL. Our High School is deservedly increas- ing, both in number of pupils and in the esteem of the citizens. With its carefully arranged program, its able administration and efficient instructors, the high school is an important factor in the life of a community.
The course of study has been thoroughly revised, and the resulting course provides a broader choice of subjects for every year. Suggestive courses are printed for those preparing for college, technical schools, and business pursuits. The provisions are so varied and so liberal that there is no reason why any pupil of ordinary ability should not be able to secure the requisite number of points for a diploma if he does honest, faithful work. The standard of the school has not been lowered by this broad- ening. On the contrary, the tendency is to raise the standard. The results so far show that pupils do better work in subjects of their own choosing. The selection does not lie entirely in the hands of the pupils. The choice must be approved by the parent, and also by the principal of the school. The principal gives his approval only where the selections form a well-balanced year's work. The choice of subjects by the pupils has been gratifying, both in the variety of subjects and quantity of the work selected. Seventeen points per week is the minimum allowed. Each recitation in a prepared subject counts one point. Each recitation in an unprepared subject (drawing, music type- writing, etc.), counts one-half a point. Only for the best of rea- . sons are pupils allowed to elect subjects aggregating a less num- ber of points.
The following table gives the number of recitations per week elected by the pupils in the various classes of the High School this year. The school week is divided into thirty periods.
Recitation periods per week . Senior Junior
Total
Av'r'g per pupil
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 10 3 29 3
22 12 0
23 1 21
9 2
25 2 5 5 0
3 2 1
0 1 1
0 0
46 91 118
21.4 19.1
Total
1
0
0
13
38
63
37
45
39
32
6
12
9
3
ยท2
300
*21.125
1
0
0
1
2
6
0
45
21.44
0
0
0
2
3
2
22.72
Sophomore Freshman ..
0 0
0
0
12
28
46
3 5 7 22
24 3
9 1
0 1
24
26 3
27
28
1
0
0
6
8
* Whole school.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
It will be seen from the above that but one pupil is taking less than the required amount. This pupil is a girl who is in poor health, and has done sufficient work in previous years to entitle her to a diploma with the addition of fourteen points. But thirteen of the remaining two hundred ninety-nine (4 per cent.) have elected seventeen, the minimum number of recita- tions. The average for the whole school is 21 1-8 per pupil.
The reason that so many in the senior and junior classes are taking twenty-four or more periods is because of college en- trance examinations. Some seniors who last year failed in some of their preliminary examinations are obliged to repeat subjects, besides doing the regular senior college work. The juniors are anxious to take as many of the entrance examinations in their preliminary year as possible. The trouble has turned out to be the opposite from what one would naturally expect, in that the principal has found it difficult, in many cases, to convince pupils of the lack of wisdom in selecting too many subjects.
Besides increasing the number of electives, new subjects have been added to the curriculum, the content of several studies in- creased, more time given to many subjects, especially English, and the time given to modern languages revised. Manual train- ing has been extended into the freshman and sophomore classes, and has been elected by 34 freshmen and II sophomores. It will be impossible for the manual training teacher to do all the work required in four days a week next year.
A laboratory course in physical geography for first year students has been added and elected by 40 students. In most High schools, this course is given in the Senior year, but it is our feeling that it is best fitted to form the basis for other science work in the three years to follow. Many subjects are related to, and build upon physical geography. . It is the foundation for all other geography, and also for zoology, botany, geology, chemistry, history, civics, and economics. Good enthusiasm is being shown for the work. The course in chemistry has been broadened to include all that is required by the colleges as an entrance re- quirement. A science club has been organized by the students, and meets once in two weeks for demonstrations and talks by pupils.
During the last school year under the old course of study, thirty-two per cent. of the pupils failed in one or more subjects- This was unreasonably large. We are now sending home defi- ciency slips at the end of each week for those whose work for the week has not been satisfactory. Every effort is being made in the use of these slips not to worry those pupils who are doing as well as they can, but are still not keeping up. The idea is to keep the home informed with the hope and expectation of the
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
fullest co-operation. It is hardly necessary to say that in almost all cases we are getting this. The failures up to the present time have been about twelve per cent .- a very satisfactory reduction. Many pupils, especially in the two upper classes have arrearages because of failure to pass certain required subjects in past years. Every effort is being made to help them to clear these up. Pu- pils with two or more failures registered against them in the past have been classed as special students. Efforts are being made to do away entirely with these "specials." Every pupil now in school is enrolled in a class with a definite idea of gradua- tion. It is not probable that all members of the present senior class will be able to make up their failures, but all are trying.
In the past, certificates have been granted to pupils who sat- isfactorily completed seventy-five per cent. of the subjects re- quired for graduation. These certificates presented in connec- tion with the awarding of diplomas have come to be regarded by pupils as of almost equal value to diplomas. With the new arrangement of studies, such certificates are not called for, and should be done away with after the present year. No pupil can be graduated simply because he has been a member of the school for four years. Some on account of immaturity, ill-health, and unavoidable interruptions or neglect of duty, require five or even more years to do the work, while others of unusual ability and application can do it in three. It is a question of work rather than of time. A pupil must have accomplished at least the minimum requirements for graduation. A diploma is never given as a favor, but always as a certificate of a pupil's attain- ments-a thing which he has earned, and which is his by right. It should always represent work done, power developed, and attainments reached.
We estimate that the school will open next September with a membership of 340 to 350.' We shall need the whole building. The spirit shown by the pupils both in their work and conduct is admirable. The school is an orderly, happy place. From 7.30 in the morning till 5 in the evening, busy, interested boys and girls may be seen at recitations, getting individual help from teachers, or working without help in the laboratories and com- mercial rooms.
Arrangements should be made for serving luncheons for pupils in the building. Children leave home soon after seven o'clock and cannot get home before half-past one at the earliest. This is too long a time to go without nourishing food during the time of busiest brain action. Some bring a little luncheon, while most go to bakeries or lunch carts for refreshments at the recess period beginning at II.IO. As a rule, they get nothing warm or nourishing. Many who are summoned back to make up work or
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
who come voluntarily for help do not go home until late in the afternoon. It is possible to build a counter in the basement, and to make arrangements for serving good wholesome sandwiches, a soup and hot cocoa, for a very small amount. Pupils would appreciate an arrangement of this kind, and I feel sure it would prove of great benefit.
In athletics, the teams of the High School have been only moderately successful during the year. A good baseball team, a poor hockey team, and a fair football team were the results of the year's efforts. The present hockey team bids fair to win back some of the lost laurels in that sport. The problem of financing the athletic interests of the school is a serious one. Most high schools have enclosed fields for their games which make it possible to charge an admission. For such schools the question of supporting the athletic interests is settled. Our boys and girls have to raise money by subscription, by entertain- ments, candy sales, etc., which sometimes necessarily detract from the effectiveness of school work. There seems to be no better solution of the problem at present. The management of the athletics of the school, beyond determining the eligibility of candidates for teams, is in the hands of a committee of three boys elected by the athletic association of the school. The time has come for a reorganization of athletic affairs.
BACKWARD PUPILS. During the past decade it has been in- creasingly realized that the education of children who are back- ward because of defects which school cannot remedy is a mat- ter of great importance to the State. Many and extensive steps have been taken in this and other countries looking to special care of these children. In my report of 1906 I spoke of the advantages to be gained from segregating these children in a class by themselves. Every child has a right to whatever in the way of education and training he is capable of receiving, whether he be dull or bright, normal or subnormal.
There are about 20 children in our schools who are getting practically no benefit from the classes in which they are now placed and are simply marking time till they become old enough to go to work. They can do little or nothing of the work provided for their classmates among whom they must be placed because there is no other place in which to put them.
Now that we have vacant rooms in the Locke building, it is possible to use one of these rooms for such a class. That special classes for backward children are very valuable has been proven in many places. If such a class is organized along right lines with the right teacher, the success cannot be doubted. The chief
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
objection to the formation of such a class is the cost, which is bound to be large. A teacher must be employed and she must be the best equipped, most able, conscientious, and sympathetic teacher to be found. The room used must contain sloyd benches and material for various kinds of hand work. The natural objection on the part of parents to have their children put in such a class can be met by personal interviews, and it would seem unwise to force any child to join this class. Beside the good that would result to these children the spirit and scholar- ship of several classes would be improved by such a segregation.
However, the crux of the matter is not met when we provide for this class. These constitute, at most, not more than one or two per cent. of the school population. The great problem lies in the very much larger class of those, who, while not really defective, do not keep up with their fellows. These, constitut- ing from seven to fifty per cent. of the school population all over this country, can become either successes or failures in life, according to the influence brought to bear upon them in child- hood. A careful, systematic investigation of conditions relating to backward children in our cities was made possible by a grant of funds from the Russell Sage Foundation. The results of the investigation have been published under the title, "Laggards in Our Schools." The most important findings of the investiga- tion are: "(I) That the most important causes of retardation of school children can be removed; (2) That the old-fashioned virtues of regularity of attendance and faithfulness are major elements of success; (3) That some cities are already accom- plishing excellent results by measures that can be adopted by all; (4) That relatively few children are so defective as to pre- vent success in school life." In our schools, as has been re- ported in previous years, special efforts are being made to re- duce the number of failures and repeaters. Individual work with pupils has been urged upon teachers, both for the benefits to be derived by the backward and by those of more than ordin- ary ability. Much good has resulted. The number of failures has grown constantly less, while our standard of what consti- tutes satisfactory work has been steadily advanced. Success with our plan varies greatly with different teachers, but most are meeting with good success. The smaller the class the greater the chance of success.
PROMOTIONS. Last June, in the Parmenter School, in three of the four classes, every pupil was promoted, while in the first grade two pupils only were kept back. One hundred and eleven in a total of 113 pupils were promoted, while eight pupils were given an extra promotion. The rate of progress therefore in
.
137
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
this school for the year was greater than the natural expecta- tion. Almost as good results were found in some other schools. In the whole town 11.8 per cent. were kept back. The figures for the three preceding years are as follows: 1905-6, 14.4 per cent. ; 1906-7, 13.4 per cent. ; 1907-8, 12.5 per cent. In the cities of the country as a whole, figures vary from seven per cent. in Medford, Mass., to seventy-five per cent. in Memphis, Tenn. On the average, over 16 per cent. of all the pupils in city public schools of the country are kept back each year. The solution of the problem to my mind lies in small classes (35 as a maximum) and more individual teaching.
We are trying an interesting experiment in our lower grades. The teachers of Grade I. are obliged to divide their classes into four sections, usually ; while the teachers of Grade II. divide their classes into at least three sections. This means that the teacher of Grade I. is working with one-fourth of the class while the other three-fourths are sitting in their seats busying them- selves as best they can. The children are under the teacher's immediate instruction only about one-fourth of the time, and are necessarily left to themselves the rest of the time. They can only sit as still as they can or dawdle over their so-called busy work until their turn with the teacher comes. They must not play or make a noise, for that would disturb those at work with the teacher. It is very difficult for a healthy child of that age to sit still for any considerable length of time. He lives and grows through action, but becomes fatigued and dull by sitting still. For him to become tired through normal activity is bene- ficial because it promotes development, but for him to excite his nerves trying to avoid action retards growth. The pupil's position at the desk tends to compress his chest, prevent free respiration, and interfere with digestion. The blood pressure, therefore, in the head and lungs is too great, while the heart and lower extremities of the body need the pressure caused by activity. Any treatment of the child which tends to check the growth of his heart and lungs, or to impair the alimentary and circulatory systems, strikes at his health and his happiness. If there are to be steady nerves, a clear brain and active muscles, these must be supported by large lungs, good digestion and a strong circulation. We are doing our best to overcome the dis- vantages which young children suffer by gymnastics, games and recesses at frequent intervals during the school session, but I still feel that there is a deal of strain upon these little bodies, and anything which tends to reduce the length of time during which they must assume a working position at school desks is of great physical benefit.
Many of the children learn so readily that they can acquire
138
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
in half the time or less all that is required of them by the course of study. Teachers have been urged to dismiss the bright chil- dren a half hour early in the afternoon that they may have the benefit of unrestricted play in the open air, and that the teach- ers may give their undivided attention to those children need- ing extra help. The results thus far have been very gratifying, and have proved to be beneficial both to the bright and to the slow children. If these good results continue, early dismissals during the morning session for the little ones will be logical. Most of the teachers are enthusiastic in their appreciation of the plan.
As I watch these little children in school I am convinced more and more that five years is too young to admit children into school. When our High School accommodations will admit of a change in our elementary course to one of eight years, a change in the age of admission into school should be made to five and one-half or six years.
ARRANGEMENT OF CLASSES. The west end of the Town pre- sents no problem of organization. The ample accommodations offered by the Locke School building, and the unaccountable falling off in numbers at the Cutter School, leave both buildings in a very comfortable condition so far as the size of classes is concerned.
The necessity for two classes in Grade VIII. at the Russell School for next year will make it necessary to retain in the Par- menter building the present fourth grade as a fifth grade. This will oblige us to combine classes in the lower grades. It is, in a measure, unfortunate that we shall have to do away with the ideal conditions that have existed in that school for the past few years.
The probable congestion in the lower grades of the Crosby School can be solved temporarily by dividing the lower grades and giving one session to each part; one-half going in the morn- ing from nine to twelve o'clock, and the other in the afternoon from half-past twelve to half-past three.
HEALTH. Medical inspection has been in force in Arlington for many years. There is no doubt of its effectiveness. Two schools, the High and Locke, have been closed for a limited time during the year because of the presence in the school of pupils who were found to be in a condition of desquamation as a result of scarlet fever. The cases were so light that no physician had been called, and the families were apparently un- aware of the danger to which they were exposing other chil- dren. Fortunately no secondary cases followed as a result of
139
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
the exposure in either school. The advisability of prompt and decisive action in such cases was conclusively shown.
By statute, teachers are obliged to examine the eyes and ears of all pupils during the school year, and the results are reported to the State authorities. Much good has resulted in our Town from these examinations. Many pupils have consulted oculists, and as a result are either wearing glasses or undergoing medi- cal treatment. To complete the physical examination of school children in a satisfactory manner the throat of every child should be examined for enlarged tonsils or adenoid growths. The worst cases are usually discovered by teachers or the medi- cal inspector and word sent home to the parents. Some pay no attention to the warning, while others are very grateful and immediately seek medical advice. There are many cases, how- ever, which can not be easily detected by the teacher or the casual observer where great good would result to the children, from the removal of throat obstructions. I wish again to call your attention to a matter spoken of in my last report in regard to the examination of the teeth of pupils. This work has been undertaken by some of the most progressive school systems in this vicinity, and the conditions found indicate need for such action. Over ninety per cent. of the children examined have been found to be afflicted with carious teeth.
The admirable system of gymnastic work with games and aesthetic exercises are of great physical benefit to our children and add to the enjoyment of school life. The girls of the Fresh- man class are given a careful physical examination after enter- ing the High School. Every year the percentage of curvatures and other physical deformities is growing less, showing that the work in the grades is putting our pupils gradually into better physical condition. A good body is the first requisite for effec- tiveness in a well-trained mind.
TEACHERS. During the year ten teachers have resigned. Four of these were in the High School and included the Prin- cipal, who had been an earnest, faithful worker for seventeen years; three were in the Locke School, and also included the Principal, who had served faithfully for twelve years; two were from the Russell, and one from the Cutter School. Besides filling these places it has been found necessary to add six teach- ers to our corps-two in the High School, including a sub- master, and four in the Locke. About one-fourth of the teaching force is therefore new this year. Taking this into consideration, it is gratifying that things are going so smoothly and with indi- cations that thorough work is being done.
-
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
It may not be surprising that the Superintendent sees what he hopes to see-progress and improvement-yet the demands increase so much more rapidly than the quality of the material on which the teacher works, or the ability of the teacher, that every year a broader preparation, a greater natural gift for teaching and leadership, and a stronger physique are needed.
Our teachers are an earnest body of workers, anxious to do good work, and willing to receive criticisms and suggestions. As your Chairman has pointed out, it is a pity that it is im- possible to reward them in a financial way as they deserve. There is a reward, however, richly deserved, which it is within the power of every citizen to give-that is the kindly word of praise and appreciation to which every good teacher is entitled. If always and everywhere teachers were treated with the de- gree of kindness, courtesy and respect which are their due, it would not add to the school budget, nor would it make the teachers' meagre salary go any further, but it would encourage them to attack their difficulties with more confidence, and make their hearts lighter and tasks easier.
It has been the aim of the Superintendent during the year to make the schools do their full duty and measure up to the best standard of what is meant by "good schools," to retain the largest possible numbers through the full High School course, to make the work of teachers more efficient, to express freely approbation of good work wherever found, and to encourage a progressive professional spirit among our teachers.
I wish to thank all who have seconded by efforts in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. SCULLY,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, YEAR ENDING JUNE.
Russell and Parmenter
Crosby
Cutter
Locke
Total Grammar
High Building
1895
433.0
103.0
179.0
136.0
851.0
165.0
1896
457.8
162.7
216.3
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