USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1872 > Part 19
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part of one, and make such criticisms and suggestions as I deem beneficial. Some teaching is done at almost every visit, to illustrate some particular point or points ; and sometimes I teach all of the time, as I think I can help the teacher most. To illustrate : soon after I came, a teacher said to me, ' Mr. Bowler, you require us to write a page in half an hour : I don't know how to do it.' I took the class, and did it in less than the required time. She then replied, ' I see how it is done, and think I can do it ; ' and since then she has found the required time sufficient. The amount of work to be done is based on the average ability of those who have the work to do. Some teachers work very hard to accomplish what is required; while others do it easily, and ask for more.
" If these studies are of sufficient importance to demand as much time as is given to them, the promotions should be affected by these as by other branches ; and as young persons, as well as old desire pay, or appreciation for what they do, the plan recently adopted, of having stated exami- nations in these studies, and marking the pupils according to proficiency, works very successfully. In fact, the good effects are already quite apparent.
" It gives me pleasure to be able to say that the teachers have been very faithful, enthusiastic, and successful in their work, particularly in their drawing. Like the majority of the teachers in the Commonwealth, most of them had had little or no instruction in drawing ; and they seemed to appreciate the privilege of an opportunity to prepare themselves to teach this branch of education, as well as the other branches required by law. With few exceptions, they have been constant in their attendance at teachers' meetings ; and most of them have made very good progress in the study. But an inspection of the work of different classes throughout the town frequently shows a wide difference in the result, conclusively proving that this variation is owing to the difference in teaching by the regular teachers, as my work is the same in all of the classes. Therefore, wherever success has been obtained, it is principally owing to the efforts of the regular teacher."
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EXAMINATIONS.
The qualifications of pupils for advancement should be determined by the most careful and thorough inspection of their work. It is the distinguishing feature of a graded system of schools that the pupils are classified with refer- ence to their attainments. The care which is used in ascertaining these attainments determines, in a great measure, the success of the system. The examinations for this purpose must be frequent, critical, and impartial. There should be a uniform standard applicable to all schools of the same grade. The manner of conducting these examinations should also be uniform. They would then be a real test of the attainments of the pupil, and the efficiency of the teacher. Unless we provide that the progress of one pupil shall not be retarded by the igno- rance or indolence of another, unless we distinguish be- tween the indifference and incompetency of one teacher, and the faithful and efficient' service of another, who con- secrates her whole heart and strength to her work, we take from both pupil and teacher the strongest motives to exertion.
The fitness of pupils for advancement should not be left solely to the decision of the teachers ; for their judgment may be warped by prejudice, or through a desire to advance as large a proportion of their pupils as possible, feeling that their success as teachers will be determined largely by that standard. Furthermore, to secure the advancement of those whose success they think probable, they may con- centrate their efforts upon them, and neglect those most in need of their services, who will thereby be doomed to travel over the same ground, until, wearied and discouraged by the dull and profitless monotony, they withdraw from school altogether. Those who are less gifted by nature, or are less favored by circumstances, so far from being neglected, demand from the teacher the most patient in- struction. They deserve, too, from those who have the supervision of the schools, the tenderest care, and the exer- cise of the largest wisdom. I believe that many pupils who
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are unqualified for advancement from year to year might be saved from such a disappointment by the exercise of proper care in the earlier stages of their education. Feel- ing that a most thorough inspection, with a view to deter- mine the qualifications of pupils for advancement, is essential to the well-being of our schools, I have given the subject the most careful consideration. A system of thorough examinations involves a large expenditure of time and labor. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the same amount of time and labor cannot be spent with equal profit in any other way.
Accordingly, in addition to the semi-annual examinations of all the schools by the various sub-committees, I have made arrangements for a full examination of all the primary classes twice each year. These examinations are largely or wholly oral. They are examinations of each class, and of each individual pupil in the class. The result of each pupil's examination is recorded in a book prepared for this purpose. This record, and that of the committee, together with the judgment of the teacher, determine the fitness of the pupil for advancement. For the classes above the pri- mary, I have arranged for a series of written examinations, extending from the beginning to the end of the school year. The plan contemplates the examination of each class in at least one branch of study each week. This would give an aggregate of at least forty examinations a year. The following are the details of the plan : -
A set of printed question for each class is prepared by the superintendent, and sent to the masters of the several districts. These questions are given to the several classes on a given day. The teachers exchange rooms, so that, as far as possible, each class is in the care of the teacher to whom it is to be promoted at the close of the year. At the close of the examination, the papers are collected, and placed in the hands of the regular teacher of the class, by whom they are corrected and marked. They are then sent to the superintendent, by whom they are examined, and the percentage obtained by each pupil is recorded. Thus the
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work of both teacher and pupil is made the subject of ex- amination at the same time. The written answers indicate the proficiency of the pupil; while the marking of the paper indicates the care and judgment of the teacher, and the ac- curacy of the instruction given. A careful examination of one set of examination papers often gives me more positive and valuable information of the real condition of our schools, . and the character of the work done in them, than could be · obtained from personal visitations for an entire month. The results of these examinations are made the subject of remarks and suggestions at the teachers' meetings. The percentage obtained by each pupil in his examinations from week to week is carefully preserved, and forms a permanent · record of his work during his entire school course. This rec- ord, and the examination papers, which are also preserved, are open to the inspection of the school officers, who are to decide upon the fitness of the pupil for advancement. The record and papers of any individual pupil are also open to the inspection of the parents or guardians of such pupil. This, in my judgment, is the extent to which the record of any individual pupil should be made public.
I have already remarked that each pupil in the classes above the primary has at least one examination per week, making an aggregate of not less than forty during the en- tire year. Of these, from ten to twenty are given by the superintendent ; the others are given by the masters of the several schools. The manner of conducting the examina- tions is substantially the same, whether given by the mas- ter or superintendent. In addition to these, oral examina- tions occur from time to time, as circumstances demand.
The amount of ground upon which the pupils are to be examined each month varies in the different branches. In language and mathematics, the successive steps in those subjects being so closely connected, and the dependence upon each other being so intimate, the pupil is held respon- sible for all the ground passed over from the beginning. In all other subjects, the examinations for any month cover the work of the two months next preceding. The advantages
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of frequent and thorough reviews are thus secured without imposing too great a burden upon the memory.
I believe that these examinations secure to the teacher the reward that is due to faithful and efficient service, that they educate the pupil to faith in earnest and per- severing effort as a means of advancement, and that they help to keep all parties concerned in them up to their work. Unless I greatly mistake the spirit of our teachers, they would welcome even a more thorough supervision than is contemplated in the plan that I have submitted.
SUPPLIES AND TEXT-BOOKS.
During the past year, each primary desk has been sup- plied with slate-racks and slates for the use of the pupils of the primary classes. The slate-racks are attached to the desks, and, together with the slates, form a part of the furniture of the rooms.
Considerable progress has been made in furnishing the different grades with charts and books of reference, of which, I will remark, we have by no means a full supply. Walton and Cogswell's Arithmetical Charts, and Mason's Music Charts, are the most important additions.
The stationery required to be used in our schools, and which has heretofore been purchased by individual pupils, has been furnished during the past year at the public expense. Under this head, the following articles are in- cluded, - pencils for the use of the primary classes in writ- ing; pencils, pens, and rubber, for the use of the higher classes in writing and drawing, and paper for written exam- inations and such other general exercises as are required from time to time. This plan of furnishing the smaller supplies saves the parents from much annoyance ; and at the same time the aggregate cost must be considerably less than when obtained by the pupils as heretofore.
The text-books are purchased by the superintendent, and placed in the hands of the masters, by whom they are furnished to the pupils. They are purchased at the lowest cash prices. The price paid by the pupil for any book is
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the actual cost of the book, with the addition of five per cent for expressage and other expenses. This method of furnishing text-books saves from ten to thirty per cent to the purchaser.
Although the expense of text-books has thus been re- duced to a minimum, yet to parents of moderate means and large families it is no inconsiderable burden. It is a tax that weighs most heavily upon those who are least able to bear it. In many cases, it compels the withdrawal of children from school at a time when their education can hardly be said to have begun.
I believe that the best interests of society demand that all the text-books used in our public schools should be fur- nished at the public expense. I see no reason why the town should not tax itself for school-books as well as school-buildings. I will briefly allude to some of the ad- vantages of this method.
First, It is the most economical way. The books will be used by successive classes until they are worn out. Now they are laid aside by one member of the family, and in many instances, before another member of the family is ready to use them, they are superseded by the adoption of other books.
Second, It would save much time of both teacher and pupil. Even if the utmost promptness is used, a large portion of the first week of each school year is consumed in obtaining the requisite supply of books.
Third, It would enable us to give larger scope and breadth to our school work. The course of reading that I have recommended in another part of this Report could hardly be carried out upon any other plan.
Fourth, It would tend to keep a greater number of pupils in the schools until the full course of study is com- pleted, as one cause of withdrawal, in many instances, is the inability to incur the expense of purchasing the books required, especially in the higher grades.
The plan has been tried in other places, and has proved successful. In the cities of New York, Brooklyn, and
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Baltimore, it has been in successful operation for several years. The same may be said of Bath and Lewiston, Me. I have yet to hear of a single instance in which the ex- periment has failed. I commend the subject to your con- sideration.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge my gratitude to the public for their co-operation and charitable judgment, to the teachers for the courtesy and kind consideration with which my suggestions have been received, and to the School Board for their confidence and support.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS EMERSON, Supt. Pub. Schools. NEWTON, Jan. 23, 1873.
RULES
OF THE
BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION.
SECTION 1. - At the annual meeting, a Chairman, Secre- tary, and Auditor shall be chosen by ballot for the term of one year. Vacancies occurring at any time shall be filled by ballot. The Committee shall be further organized by the ap- pointment of Standing Committees of three members each : On Rules and Regulations, Repairs and Supplies, Music, Drawing, Industrial Drawing, and Text-Books.
SECT. 2. - There shall be Standing Committees on the several Schools, as follows: Each of the villages shall consti- tute a District, to be known by its number, and, as far as practicable, by the name of the village. The members elected therefrom shall constitute District Committees on the Grammar and Primary Schools of their respective Dis- tricts. At the annual meeting, there shall be appointed a Committee of four, of which the Chairman of the Board shall be one, on the High School; Committees of three members each on the Training School, and the Evening Schools ; and Examining Committees of three members each : one on thefirst, second, and third classes of the grammar schools ; one on the fourth, fifth, and sixth classes of the same ; and one on the classes of the primary schools, respectively.
SECT. 3. - Any of the foregoing Standing Committees, ex- cept the District Committees, may, by a vote of the Com-
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mittee, be chosen by ballot. Each Committee shall elect its own Chairman.
CHAPTER II.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
SECTION 1. - The Chairman shall preside in all meetings of the Board, and maintain the rules of order. He shall ap- point, subject to the approval of the Board, all Committees whose appointment is not otherwise provided for.
SECT. 2. - The Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of the Board, noting the names of the mem- bers present at each meeting; and shall have his book of records at the meetings ; preserve all papers relating to the business of the Board ; notify members of all regular and spe- cial meetings; and the first-named members of all Commit- tees, giving a list of the remaining members ; and shall notify teachers of their election. He shall prepare the School Sta- tistics for the Annual Report of the Board, and perform such other clerical duties as may be required by it. In the ab- sence of the Chairman, it shall be the duty of the Secretary, if present, to call the meeting to order, and preside during the election of a Chairman pro tem.
SECT. 3 .- The Auditor shall examine and sign all bills approved by the Board, prepare pay-rolls of all salaries fixed by it, and audit all bills for labor. He shall keep an accurate account of all expenditures, and prepare the Financial Exhibit for the Annual Report.
SECT. 4. - The Committee on Rules and Regulations shall carefully examine every proposition to repeal or amend any of the Rules or Regulations, or to make any addition to the same, and report thereon to the Board.
SECT. 5. - The Committees on Music and Drawing respec- tively shall exercise a general supervision over those branches of instruction in all the schools : the Committee on Industrial Drawing over that branch in the evening schools ; the Com- mittee on Evening Schools over the evening schools where the ordinary branches are taught. They shall nominate to
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the Board for appointment teachers in those branches, or schools, and may fill any vacancies temporarily, till the next. regular meeting of the Board. They shall examine the schools, and report to the Board the progress in those branches, or schools.
SECT. 6. - The Committee on Repairs and Supplies shall, under the direction of the Board, procure the fuel required in the several schools, and, together with the District Commit- tee of any District, superintend all unusual and extensive re- pairs on school buildings in such District authorized by the Board. They shall audit all bills for repairs and supplies, and present the same to the Board for its approval.
SECT. 7. - The District Committees shall have charge of the schools and all school property in their respective Dis- tricts, have an oversight of the instruction and discipline, nominate all teachers for appointment by the Board, therein, and may temporarily fill vacancies until the next regular meeting of the Board. They shall appoint suitable janitors, cause all ordinary repairs to be made, see that text-books and all needful supplies are procured for the schools through the Superintendent, or proper Committee, and that all bills for purchases made or services rendered, by their order, are pre- sented before the regular meeting to the proper officer or Committee for examination. They shall visit their schools at least once each monthi, without previous notice to the teacli- ers, and report from time to time their condition to the Board ; shall see that pupils are properly classified, and pro- motions from class to class properly made in their schools.
SECT. 8. - The High-School Committee, and the Com- mittee on the Training School, shall perform the same duties and exercise the same authority, in and over the High School and the Training School respectively, as the District Committees do in their respective districts. They shall also see that the pupils of the town are admitted to the High School and Training School respectively, under such rules as shall be prescribed by the Board.
SECT. 9. - The schools of the Town shall be examined semi-annually. The Board shall specially appoint a Sub-
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Committee for each semi-annual examination of the High School. This Committee, and the Examining Committees for the other grades, shall, each in the grades for which they are appointed, critically examine all the schools, report to the Board their condition and progress, and the relative standing of the schools of the same grade in the town, and make suclı recommendations to the Board concerning the same as, in their opinion, may conduce to their efficiency. From these and other reports during the year, and embracing such addi- tional topics as they may deem advisable, a Sub-Committee shall prepare, under the direction of the Board, its annual report to the town. All proposed changes in the course of instruction in the several grades, except in the High School, shall be referred to the Examining Committees of the respec- tive grades, together with the Superintendent, and be re- ported on by them to the Board.
SECT. 10. - The Committee on Text-Books shall care- fully consider every proposition to change any text-book, or text-books, or to make any addition to the text-books pre- scribed for the schools, and report thereon to the Board, stat- ing the votes in Committee.
CHAPTER III.
ELECTION AND DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
SECTION 1. - A Superintendent of schools, when authorized by the town, shall be elected by the Board at the last meeting of each school year for the year ensuing, and his salary be fixed for the same.
SECT. 2. - The Superintendent shall be the Executive Of- ficer of the School Committee of the town ; and, in addition to the following, shall perform such other duties as the Board may direct, or the District or Sub-Committees delegate to him.
SECT. 3. - The Superintendent shall make the public- school system a study, and keep himself thoroughly informed of the discipline and progress of instruction in other places,
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that he may recommend the most efficient means for the ad- vancement of the public schools of the town. He shall devote himself entirely to the duties of his office, and secure a full compliance with the orders and regulations of the School Committee.
SECT. 4. - He shall, under the direction of the School Committee, have the supervision of all the public schools ; he shall visit and carefully examine into the condition and prog- ress of each school as often as his other duties will permit ; he shall, with the approval of the District Committee, attend to the classification of scholars, and, as far as practicable, equalize the attendance, and promote unity and harmony in the studies, progress, and mode of instruction.
SECT. 5. - He shall have power to appoint stated or occa- sional meetings of the teachers in the public schools, for the purpose of instructing them in relation to their duties, and for mutual consultation in matters touching the prosperity of the schools. He shall advise with the teachers in reference to the course of instruction and discipline, see that the prescribed studies are carefully pursued, and that no books are used ex- cept those adopted by the Board.
SECT. 6. - He shall investigate all cases of discipline and difficulty reported to him by teachers, parents, or guardians, and take such action in the case as he and the District Com- mittee deem expedient. In all cases of truancy or non- attendance upon school which may come to his knowledge, he shall, in every instance, strive to reform the child ; but, if un- successful, he shall report the name of the habitual truant or absentee to the officer whose duty it is to make complaint in such cases. He shall exert his personal influence to secure general and regular attendance, and to raise the moral and intellectual character of the pupils.
SECT. 7. - He shall attend the meetings of the Board, ex- cept when his own election is under consideration, express his opinion on any subject under discussion, and give such infor- mation as he may be able. He shall receive and classify the reports of the masters or principals of the several schools, and present them to the Board at its next meeting ; and at the be-
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ginning of each term shall receive and classify the order of exercises of each school in the town. He shall annually pre- pare a written report for publication, giving such information as to the character of the schools, and presenting such plans for their improvement, as he deems advisable.
SECT. 8. - He shall furnish to teachers all the text-books, supplies except fuel, and stationery, needed by the schools, which are authorized by the Board, and on such terms as shall be prescribed by it, and also all necessary blanks and registers, and instruct the teachers in the keeping of the same. He shall consult with those who have control of the building and altering of schoolhouses, and communicate to them such infor- mation on the subject as he may possess ; he shall inspect from time to time the school buildings and furniture, and suggest such plans as he may consider best for the health and conve- nience of the teachers and pupils, and most economical for the town ; and he shall advise with those through whom the sehool appropriations are expended to secure uniformity in their plans, and economy in their expenditures.
SECT. 9. - He shall report to the School Committee every case of delinquency, tardiness, or violation of any of the rules, on the part of teachers ; shall, when directed by the District Committee, temporarily fill any vacancy in the corps of teachers, and make other temporary arrangements relative to the schools which he and they may deem proper.
SECT. 10. - He shall, under the direction of the Board, fix the time and mode of examinations for promotion or otherwise, and the condition thereof, that they may be regu- lar and uniform in all the schools. In such examinations he may have the aid of such teachers as he may require.
SECT. 11. - He shall have an office in the High-school building, shall keep regular office-hours, and shall be in his office one afternoon each week. In case of absence or sick- ness, he shall notify the Chairman of the Board, and make such arrangement for his office business as he may think proper.
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CHAPTER IV.
MEETINGS.
SECTION 1. - The annual meeting of the Board shall be held on the Thursday following the annual town-meeting, at two o'clock, P.M. It shall be called by the Secretary of the preceding year. Regular meetings shall be held on the Thurs- day nearest the full of the moon in each month except July and August, at six and one-half o'clock, P.M.
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