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City Document, — No, 22,

REPORT

2as.ii53aaEJ4i^a<DS3r

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS

CITY OF ROXBURT,

FOR THE YEAR 1847.

ROXBURY:

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,

JOSEPH G. TORREY, CITY PRINTER.

1 847,

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, )

November 3d, 1846. \

Ordered, That Messrs. Dillaway, Thompson, Bond, Caldicott,
Pay, Parker, Allen, Greene, and Cotting, be appointed the Annual
Examining Committee.

JOSHUA SEAVER, Sec'y.

At a meeting of the above Committee it was resolved to divide
themselves into two Committees ; one to examine the Primary, and
the other the Grammar Schools, as follows : Messrs. Dillaway,
Thompson, and Bond, for Primary Schools ; and Messrs. Caldicott,
Fay, Parker, Allen, Greene, and Cotting, for Grammar Schools.

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, )

JEtoxbury, February 17, 1847. \

Ordered, That the Reports of the Sub-Committees, appointed to
examine the Grammar and Primary Schools, which Reports have
been made and accepted, be printed under the direction of the Com-
mittees which presented them, and distributed for the use of the
inhabitants. JOSHUA SEAVER, Sec'y of

School Committee.

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

Gentlemen : — Your Committee, to whom was assigned the task of
examining the Grammar Schools, have performed that work ; and
now submit for your consideration the following

REPORT:

Some days previous to commencing the examination, a meeting of
the Committee was held, at which time a Chairman was elected, and
the following plan of operations adopted :

First. To construct a Tabular Abstract, marked No. 1, shewing
the studies pursued, the text books used, and the page reached in
each class.

Second. To procure forms of printed questions on the following
studies :— Definitions of Words, Geography, Grammar, Arithmetic,
History, Algebra, Natural Philosophy, and Philosophy of Natural
History.

Third. That these questions should be given out to the first
division of each of the Grammar Schools simultaneously.

Fourth. That the oral examination should be conducted by be-
ginning with the lowest division of each school, and with the lowest
class in each division ; and proceed from that up to the highest.
Their object in adopting this order, was, that they might observe the
advance of one class and division beyond the other, through each
school ; and that they might not begin with too high a standard of
expectation.

In pursuance of this plan, Monday the 25th ult. was taken up in
obtaining written answers to the printed questions. The whole of
Tuesday, and Thursday morning, was spent in oral examination in
the Dudley School. Wednesday was given for the same purpose to
the Westerly. Thursday afternoon, the whole of Friday, and Sat-
urday morning, to the Washington ; and the whole of Monday, the
1st inst, was employed in the same manner, in the Central School.
Every class in each school was thoroughly examined in every study
pursued by that class, except in two or three instances in the first class

of one or two of the first divisions. From this labor your Committee
have obtained the following

RESULTS :

In the examination, by printed questions, there were in all seven
thousand one hundred and thirty-six questions asked, four thousand
seven hundred and seventeen of these were answered correctly, being
sixty-six -f- per cent, of the whole. Seven hundred and fifty-three
questions were incorrectly answered, seven hundred and eighty-four
questions were imperfectly answered, and eight hundred and eighty-
two were not at all answered. In making up these answers no ac-
count was taken of the spelling, grammatical construction of the an-
swer, capital letters, or the punctuation. There were many inaccu-
racies of the above character, but not more than might reasonably
have been expected. Your Committee confined themselves to the
sense of the answers ; where this was correct, they set down that
answer as correctly given, when a question contained several partic-
lars, and some of these were correctly answered, and the others were
not answered, or answered incorrectly, or where a definition or des-
cription was not completed, but only partly given, the whole was
marked as an imperfect answer.

A Tabular Abstract, marked No. 2, has been prepared, showing
the studies embraced in these questions, the number of scholars that
were examined in each school, in each of these studies — the average
age of each class, the number of questions asked, the number
correctly, incorrectly, or imperfectly answered, together with the per
cent, of correct answers, and the rank of the class in each exercise,
as compared with the corresponding class in the same study in the
other schools ; so that at one view the comparative excellency or de-
ficiency of each school may be seen. It will be seen by this table,
that some of the schools were not examined in all the studies em-
braced in these printed forms ; only four of the eight forms were given
to every school. The table shows the rank of each school in these four
studies combined; then the average and rank of each in all the
studies.

Although these results exhibit a number of imperfect answers, yet
your Committee can but express their satisfaction that the per centage
of correct answers is so large.

Your Committee have prepared a Tabular Abstract of the oral ex-
amination. They adopted the figure 6 as denoting a certain degree

of perfection to which they thought each class should have attained.
When any class in any study did that which perfectly satisfied
your Committee, they designated their entire satisfaction by that
mark. Any number below that shows how far, in their opinion, the
class was from the degree of perfection desired. This table is marked
No. 3. It shows the opinion of your Committee respecting every study
pursued by every class in all the Grammar Schools. The average of
each school in each study is shown under its appropriate head, and
its comparative rank with the other schools in the same study. The
table is completed with an average of all the studies, and the com-
parative rank of each school, as a whole.

Your Committee have drawn up this abstract that they might pre-
sent, at one view, the condition of each class, division and school, that
the excellencies and defects of each, in every study, might be seen ;
and that no department needing special attention, should be over-
looked. In order to arrive at a correct and impartial estimate of
every study, your Committee previously agreed to mark, each one for
himself, his own opinion of it, then to come together and compare
notes ; the numbers as they appear in the Abstract, are the result of
such comparison.

It will be seen that the schools, as a whole, do not fully come up
to the perfection desired, but it is matter of great pleasure that they
fall so little below it, the whole average being five and two-ninths,
while six denotes all that would have been asked. The oral exam-
ination included those classes and some of those studies, which were
examined by printed questions, as well as the other classes.

By these two methods of examination, the knowledge of the pupils
was pretty fully tested, and some important facts were ascertained,
such as whether the mode of instruction to which they were accus-
tomed was entirely confined to the books, or the scholars taught to
think for themselves, and whether they could express their thoughts
in writing with as much freedom and correctness as they could
orally. In one school the class attained a high rank in the written
answers, while in the oral examination and in the same study it is
marked low. In another school the written answers were very im-
perfect in some studies, but the oral exhibits the same class as very
expert.

The two Tables should be examined at the same time, in order to
get a correct idea of the exact condition of each school, and reference

ought to be had to the average ages of the pupils, the number ex-
amined, the time they have been in the class, together with the num-
ber of studies pursued by them.

It is the opinion of your Committee, that the Grammar Schools
were never in a better condition, as a whole, than at the present time,
yet they think that improvements may and ought to be made in some
departments ; these will be noticed in their remarks upon the schools
severally.

A Tabular Abstract, marked No. 4, has Been made to show the
number of schools, divisions, scholars in a division, attendance,
tardiness, absence, average age, and number of punishments for the
last quarter. This Table is not completely filled up; some of
the Teachers were unable, from imperfect registers, or registers im-
perfectly kept, to give all the information necessary to complete this
abstract.

It appears to your Committee a matter of no small importance
how the statistics of a school are kept. The registers of a school
have the same relation to its order and efficiency, as the day-book,
journal and leger of the merchant do to his business ; nothing can
be well done without correct accounts. It may not be easy to frame
a register that will suit every school, any more than to make the
same set of books suit every form and kind of business ; and it may
be desirable as well in the school as in the counting room, that each
Teacher should adopt his own method of keeping his accounts ; but
whatever be the method, he should be prepared from these accounts,
at all times, to give approximately the condition of his school ; and at
stated times, say monthly, quarterly and yearly, to give accurate
and exact information touching certain points ; for instance, such as
are contained in the blank form annexed to No. 4.

It is with pleasure your Committee observe a considerable de-
crease from the last year's reports in the number of absences ; and
they are persuaded that these will continue to decrease ill about the
same proportion as they are accurately reported. It will be seen
that the number of corporal punishments is much smaller than
formerly ; two of the schools, report no punishments during the last
quarter. It is the hope of your Committee that the time will come,
when the moral powers of all pupils shall have been so trained, that a
resort to this mode of government will be no longer necessary. There
may be cases, and among some of our rude boys it seems there are,

"where the moral sense is so low, that there seems to be nothing
else to appeal to than a sense of pain, but such cases they think are
rare. If due attention should be given to the order, quiet, and genteel-
ness of the school, if the statistics should be accurately and minutely
kept, if time should be spent and pains taken to cultivate the kindly
and gentle feelings of the pupils, so as to enlarge their moral sense,
this would very soon almost, if not entirely remove the necessity of
an appeal to the rod. It is Tioped and expected that in no case a
Teacher will punish so severely as to bruise or maim a pupil ; any
thing ougl it to be done rather than this. Every Teacher should take
pains, and by experiments try to discover, even in the very worst of
his scholars, some spark of generosity, gratitude, or kindly emotion,
that may be influenced, drawn, directed, led ; and having discovered
it, he should foster and fan it with all the interest and care of a
traveller in the Polar regions over the spark he has just drawn from
the hard and "brittle steel, which spark if saved, will soon kindle a fire
of sufficient intensity to soften the very substance from which it was
drawn. Teachers need to feel that pupils require a moral as well as
an intellectual culture, and that time and effort must be given to the
former as well as the latter ; nay, that the former is infinitely the
more important.

Your Committee will now give a view of the schools separately.

The Washington School,

This is a school for boys, and numbers in all its divisions four
hundred and forty-nine scholars. There are eight divisions, having
an average of fifty-six and one-eighth scholars to a division. Several
changes have been made in this school during the past year, both in
the building and internal government of the school. A room on the
lower floor has been finished, and neatly furnished for the seventh and
eighth divisions, an addition has been made to the back of the school,
consisting of four recitation rooms, and a room for two furnaces.
No money was ever more judiciously expended than this. The reci-
tation rooms, by furnishing separate apartments for the upper
divisions, prevent the necessity of such loud speaking, which used to
be an annoyance to persons living in the vicinity of the school, a
means of confusion in the school, and a draft upon the strength of
the Teachers which was killing them ; these rooms have cured these
evils. The new furnaces have removed the complaint of want of

heat in the upper rooms, and the necessity of setting fire to the builcP
ing, in order to make it hot enough; the smoke pipes passing" through
the recitation rooms, are sufficient to warm them, while the heated
air is ample for the large rooms. There is however, still a deficiency
of heat in the lower rooms ; these are warmed by a small furnace in
the cellar, which is entirely inadequate for the purpose, it being im-
possible frequently to get the thermometer above forty-five degrees-
all the morning. Attention should at once be given to remedy this
defect.

A change has been effected in the government of this school. It is
now mider one head, who has the government and responsibility of
the whole. The scholars no longer either change their room or their
Teacher, but each Teacher is required to instruct his or her division
in every branch studied by that division. It is the duty of the
Principal to see that every class is thoroughly taught, and that every
Teacher does his and her duty. To give him time to do this, he is
furnished with an assistant female Teacher, who is to take charge
of his division when he is absent upon any duty in the school, and she
is to teach a part of his division when he is present, or to assist any
of the other Teachers, if directed so to do by the Principal. The
second division is taught by an assistant master, the others by fe-
male assistants. This change has thus far produced a very beneficial
influence upon the school. There are some peculiar excellencies in
this school, in the study of Arithmetic, Mathematics, and defining of
words, in the first division ; and in the Reading and Grammar in the
second. The principal defects, are the Reading in all the divisions,
except the second and fourth, and the Arithmetic in the second. As-
a whole, the school ranks high ; there are excellencies in every divi-
sion, and every Teacher seems to have labored hard to do his and
her duty.

The Dudley School,

This is a school for girls, and occupies two buildings ; the one on
Dudley street, and the other on Bartlett street. It numbers four
hundred and eight scholars ; these are separated into eight divisions,
each having an average of fifty-one pupils. It is under one master,
who has eight female assistants, one of whom instructs a part of the
first division. The internal government and arrangements of this
school are, as nearly as possible, like those of the Washington, the

Principal having the same authority and responsibility, and being
furnished with the same number of aids. During the last four
months, the Principal has been unable, through sickness, to attend
regularly to his duties. These have devolved chiefly upon his first
assistant, he visiting the school occasionally; yet notwithstanding
this lack of service, the school still maintains its high character. —
Latin and French are taught in this school by the first female assist-
ant. She has three classes, two in Latin and one in French. These
are instructed in these branches, either before the school begins
in the morning, or at the time of intermission at noon. The excel-
lencies of this school are many ; among them may be reckoned
Reading in all the divisions, Singing in the fifth, Writing, Alge-
bra, and Natural Philosophy in the first. The defects, if any
need be named, are in Arithmetic, Geography, and Spelling, in some
few classes. This school still retains its first rank among the Gram-
mar schools, as is shown by the tables ; they show also, that it does
not now very far exceed them ; this, however, is not because it
has fallen, but because they have risen, — not because it has receded,
but because they have advanced.

The Central School

This school is located in Eliot street, on Jamaica Plain, and ©con-
pies part of a building belonging to the Trustees of the Eliot Fund.
This building is rented by the city, at an annual expense of three
hundred dollars. This is a school for boys ; it numbers eighty, and
is under one master, assisted by one female. It appears from the ta-
bles, that this school ranks the lowest of all the Grammar Schools.
Whether this arises from any defect in the mode of government, of
instruction, or in the material of the school, is, in the estimation -of
your Committee, an important question. There are some excellen-
cies in this school ; among others, may be named Grammar, Arith-
metic, Geometry, Defining Words and Spelling, in the first division,
and some good Spelling in the second. Also, good Singing — this
exercise is taught by the female assistant. This school, though
marked lower than any other, yet comes as a whole, within 1 of
the standard required — the standard being 6, its average being 5.
Still there are in it some marked defects, as the Reading throughout,
&ut especially in the second division ; and the Arithmetic and Geog-

raphy in the same division are inferior — these defects greatly reduce
the average of the school. There are two classes of winter scholars^
one in each division ; their average age is greater than the other
classes. These boys are kept at work mostly out of doors, except in
winter, when they are sent to school. In making an average of the
school, these classes serve to increase the age, while they lower
its rank. The same is true of the other schools, hut not to
anything like the same extent, as in this. The first two classes
of the first division will bear a comparison with any other corres-
ponding classes in the other schools, especially when their ages are
taken into the account.

There is in this school a lack of that high degree of order and
refinement, which is so conspicuous in some other schools. Ener-
gy, activity, and mental strength are not wanting, but these are rather
the rankness and roughness of the newly cleared forest, than, the
symmetry and beauty of the well cultivated farm ; and while there is-
evidence that the teachers have been at work, and hard at work, yet
it seems more like the work of the pioneer than the old settler.
Some reason may be found for this, in the fact that the inhabitants
of the Plain do not generally, as in other parts of the city, send their
sons to the city school, but to some one or other of the excellent pri-
vate schools which abound there. This school needs the influence
of a greater number of those children who are accustomed to habits'
of refinement and order at home. If such persons, generally, would
send their sons there, it would, in the opinion of your Committee,
greatly change the appearance of the school, and be the means of
bringing it up to a level with the others, in every respect. It is of lit-
tle use to complain of some things, or try to remedy them, while this1
influence is withheld. It seems important that our native citizens;
should inquire how the many foreigners, who are constantly settling
amongst us, may be elevated, refined', enlightened, and assimilated
to themselves, so that their presence may prove a blessing and not a
curse. This cannot surely be done by keeping aloof from them, but
by mingling amongst them ; and where, or how, can this be done to
any extent, but in our common schools ? Let the elevating process,
then, commence here. Let not parents be afraid that their children
will be degraded by the association ; rather let them feel that others
will be benefitted, and that they themselves finally shall reap a rich
harvest from the process. Upon the whole, your Committee think

that the defects of this school are not so much to be attributed to the
incompetency of the teachers, as to some of the peculiar circum-
stances of the sehool.

The Westerly School,

This school is located at the West end of the city, and includes both
sexes. It consists of ninety-one scholars, and is under the direction
of one master and a female assistant. This is an excellent school, —
has a superior order of pupils, and is subject to fewer interruptions
from occasional scholars, than any other school. Among the excel-
lencies of this school, may be named its neat appearance, perfect or-
der, genteel manners, writing, singing, and drawing of outline maps.
There is needed for the lower room, a thermometer, a clock, and a
set of outline maps.

In concluding this report, your Committee wish to express their
conviction that the inhabitants of this city may be justly proud of
their schools, and as willing as ever to contribute freely for their
support, from the belief that no expenditure of money yields them
so valuable a return.

Signed,

T. F. CALDICOTT

CYRUS H. FAY,

DAVID GREENE,

BENJAMIN E. COTTlNG, ( CmmU ^

JOSEPH H. ALLEN,

THEODORE PARKER,

TING, (

\ \

ER, J

Eeport on New School Houses.

Your Committee to whom this subject was referred, recommend
that one school house of two stories, be erected near Newman's
blacksmith's shop, either on Eustis or Mall streets, in Ward 1. That
one school house of two stories be erected on Vernon street, near the
lead factory, in Ward 2 ; and that one school house of two stories
be erected on Parker street, north of Washington street, in Ward 3.
That these houses be erected as soon as possible, and be fin-
ished and furnished throughout. That as soon as the house in
Ward 1 be finished, the school No. 21, now in Spring Hall, be re-
moved into it ; and school No. 14 from the lower room of the school
house on Yeoman street. That No. 12 be removed into the room of
No. 14, and that the house now occupied by No 12 be abandoned.
Your Committee recommend that as soon as the school house on
Vernon street be completed, the Sumner street be relieved of all
those children who reside west of Washington street, and on the
west side of said street, who now attend the Sumner street school ;
there are upwards of fifty such. It is desirable that the Sumner street
school be reduced, if possible, to a reasonable number ; and there
is no way of doing this but by the erection of this house. This
house would also relieve the Centre street school of all those who
reside north of Dr. Putnam's church.

Your Committee recommend, also, that as soon as the school house
on Parker street is finished, that the school No. 4 be removed into
it, and that the house now occupied by No. 4 be abandoned. This
house would help to relieve the Orange street schools of their over-
flowing numbers.

The above sites for the new school houses are recommended on the
ground of their affording the best accommodation to the greatest
number of children, and being so located as to relieve those schools
that are, or soon would be, over-crowded.

The abandonment of Nos. 12 and 4 is recommended, from the fact
that these houses are utterly unfit for schools ; they require at once,
extensive repairs, and then would be unfit ; and besides, they do not

really belong to the city. The vacating of Spring Hall is advised
from the undesirableness of paying rent, and the school not being
quite free from interruption in that place.

The following Table will show, at one view, the necessity of this
additional accommodation ; though at present, it gives but forty-
eight scholars to a school, there can be no doubt but by the time
these houses are finished, there will be sixty numbered on each
register, which will give an average attendance of fifty to each school ;
this will accord with the views of the Committee of Examination
for Primary Schools. Should these houses be erected on the sites
recommmended, there would be little difficulty in equalizing the
numbers through this part of the city.

All which is respectfully submitted.

T. F. CALDICOTT, Chairman.

TABLE,

Showing the necessity of erecting three new Primary School Houses.

NO. 1

Shows the number in attendance upon the following Schools :

a .

£ ®

O c

a £
J"

Orange
street.

a
to

c .

13 e
cfl is
gl ■

"a
—
Ml

'in

—

o "

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° §

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o „•

** o

bfi o

cd m

No. of Sell' I

17|I4|I2|

1| 2

|19| 20|

3|I6|| 4|

2l|

15|13|| 13

78l)|| 60

No. of Schlrs

49|59|64|

50|108

|46| 82|j38|80|| 55 1

39|

71|39||

NO. 2

Shows the number of Schools and Scholars as recommended.

Name of
Schools.

4> ■£

No.of Sch'l. 117112

Wo. of Sclilrs.|50|50

14121

|50|50

S 2

II 2

50|50

24125

50150

t3 *3

,o a>

<3*

13115

50150

be i)
S V

* h

19120

50J50

3116

50150

4126

50150

23 I 2

161780 43

,*00

Report on Intermediate Schools,

Your Committee to whom was referred the subject of establishing
an intermediate school, have performed that duty ; have taken pos-
session of the vacant room in the Washington school ; have collected
from the Primary schools and from the streets, one hundred and three
boys, over eight years of age, who are not prepared to enter the
Grammar schools. They have placed over them as teacher, Al-
bert Farnsworth, who has, for some time past, been assisting Mr.
Dodge, in the Washington school. They recommend that he have
a trial of his ability to take care of such a school, and in case he suc-
ceed, that he be appointed its master, with a salary, for the first
year, of three hundred dollars. Also, that it be left with the School
Committee and the Chairman, to furnish him with such assistance as
may be necessary.

Your Committee regard the establishment of this school as one of
the most important acts of the School Committee during the year.
It makes just the provision for such a class of boys that they need ;
it frees the other schools of what was a great hindrance to them ;
it gives to all the other schools more symmetry, while there can be no
doubt that the improvement of this class of boys will be much
greater in such a school, than elsewhere. A clock, desk, chairs, ther-
mometer, &c, are needed for this room, and your Committee would
recommend the passage of the following resolution :

Resolved, That the City Government be requested to furnish the
east room of the lower floor of the Washington school with new
forms and chairs, for the use of an intermediate boys' school ; the
present furniture being in a very unfit condition for use.

T. F. CALDICOTT, Chairman.

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3d Part

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18
No. 2.— TABULAR ABSTRACT,

Showing the result of the Examination by Printed Questions.

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& 0)

a TS •

§ «2 .

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a ai

Schools.

32 •§

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3 2 <*- E p S a &
^ S £ 5 .2 3 ^ g

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Washington

752

446

136

117

.59+

.104

1613

Dudley

18J»

640

365

109

.57+

.098

0558

Central

12f

320

175

.54+

.250

.1350

Westerly

13*

288

100

.34+

.019

.0669

Washington

12|

420

333

.79+

.046

.0363

Dudley

13|

500

360

.70+

.061

.0427

he
O
0>

Central

13}

440

284

.64+

.275

.1760

Westerly

320

250

.81+

.197

.1595

14f

140

129

.92+

)

t->

Dudley {

y.08

.0700

152

129

.83+

)

Westerly

1.00

.0108

.0110

Dudley

14J

180

170

.94

.022

.0206

J-

Westerly

1.00

.0108

.0110

Central

14*

•47+

.025

.0117

Dudley

13£

460

287

123

.62+

.112

.0694

CO
0

Washington

13*

250

126

.50+

.055

.0275

Central

12*

170

.39+

.212

.0826

Westerly

141

.51+

.076

.0387

No. 2. — Tabular Abstract, continued.

to"

Schools.

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Dudley
Washington
Central
Westerly

47
31
20
10

13§

1*A

648
467
293
163

460
346

204
134

109
97
68

0
0
0
0

.71+
.74+
.69

;82+

.115
.069
.250
.019

.0816
.0510
.1725
.0893

Dudley
Westerly

10
1

14J
15

120
13

108

2
2

5
0

5
1

.90

.77—

.024
.0108

.0216
.0077

Washington
Dudley

40
220

32
117

0
11

4
19

4
73

.80

.53+

.008
.053

.0064
.02S0

Whole number
Whole number
Whole number
Whole number
Whole number
Whole per cent
Whole number

SUMMARY.

of Questions asked, 7136.
of right answers, 4717.
of wrong answers, 753.
of imperfect answers, 784.
not answered, 882.

i. of right answers, .66+.
of sheets examined, 497,

No. 3.— TABULAR ABSTRACT,

Shewing the result of the oral examination of the Grammar Schools'.

A »

Divisions 1st

2d 3d

4th 5th 6th | 7th | 8th

3
53

Classes 1 2 £

!123 1

2 12 1

2 1 2

2|12

3 Average

fafi

Washington.. 5 4

Westerly 66 4

Central 5 4 2

65 61
666 5
454
.434

S 6 6 6
5 6 6 5

4 5 5

5 5 4

66
55

5 6ft

5t3t

1 Divisions 1st

| 2d | 3d | 4th | 5th j 6th | 7th | 8th

Classes | I|2j3|l |2J3|1|2|3|1|2|3|1|2|3|1|2|.3|1 -S

!3|1|2

3 Average

■

a> ^
O

Washington. . 6 5
Westerly. ... 65

65565
55566

5545

55 5'
55 4^

1555
5 6 5

665
6 6

54
55

5 6*

5
5

■

s .
■5.2

•c *•

Washington . . 6 6'
Westerly.... 651

5 5 65
154466
3 5 5 5
5545

5666(
65 6(

$66 6 5
) 555

64
61

54
65

4 5£
6*

Divisions 1st

2d 3d

4th 5t

hi | 6th

7th

8th

Classes 1 2 I

U23 1 5

2 12 1

2 1| 2

5;j

3 Average

"3 T3

a c

be fee
MSB

.5 "3 3

3<ST>
aQw

Dudley ..... 65
Washington.. 6 5
Westerly.... 5 5'
Central 6 5\l

66 6
666 6

15 64

5564

5 6 5 5
5 5 5 5

5 5 5
5 5 6

5,'
5(

5 4

65
45

5 5TV

5t6t

Divisions 1st

2d | 3d

Division | 1st

Classes 1 2 I

J I 2 3| 1 \

I Av'rag

Classes

1 2

3 Average

Washington.. 6 5
Westerly .... 65'

655 5
666
1

5£
5

as Dudley. .
■g Washing.
&JD Westerly
*$ Central..

6
5

65
55

6
5

Geometry 5.
Elements of Music 6.

6.
6.
6.
5.

Washington. Surveying 5. Central.

Westerly. Drawing Maps 6. Dudley.

Dudley. Writing 6. General appearance, order, &c.
Washington. " 5. " "

Westerly. " 6. " "

Central. "5. « "

STUDIES NOT EXAMINBD.

Dudley. Mrs. Phelps's Botany ; Latin and French.
Washington. Worcester's History and Olmsted's Philosophy.

Note. The figure " 6 " is used to denote the degree of perfection
that in the opinion of the Committee each class in each exercise ought
to have attained ; any number below that shews how far short of that
standard was reached.

Dudley as a whole, stands at*(as nearly as possible) 5£ and ranks 1st
Washington «i " " ** 5| " 2d

Westerly " " " " 5TV " 3d

Central " " " " 5 " 4th

21
No. 4— TABULAR EXTRACT,

Shewing the average age, tardiness, absences, and number of punish*
ments during the quarter ending February 1st, 1847.

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REMARKS.

12H

•03*

12*

.09

.10

fee

10*

.13

9^4

.09

®U

.15

8§

.14

.13*

.27

.15

14*

.026

.13+

13W

.05

.11+

t»>

12*

.029

.12+

lOf

.037

.11

nTV

.033

.16+

9§

.028

.12+

.026

.16+

.028

.20

Absences mostly

12*

.036+

.20

in consequence

of sickness.

►

.031+

.20

<KHrar $v &«k&&tok&

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, ?

RoxburyFeb. 17, 1S47. \

Ordered, That in all the Grammar Schools, the teachers be required
to insist upon regular exercises in Composition, upon subjects, and in
forms, adapted to the age and progress of the pupils ; that the exer-
cises be required at stated seasons of the first two divisions of each
school, and that the first class, of the first division, be required to
write compositions every week.

Ordered, That the quarterly Examining Committee hereafter ex-
amine and report upon the proficiency of the scholars, in the art of
written composition.

Ordered, That the Secretary furnish a copy of the foregoing order
and of the order of this day adopted, in relation to the study of
" topics" to every Grammar Master.

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, \
Roxbury, Feb. 17, 1847. \

Ordered, That the teachers of the several Grammar Schools, and
their assistants, be required to impart more oral instruction to their
pupils than they have been accustomed to do, and for this purpose,
that topics be specially assigned for consideration, in one or two
weeks, after the time of announcement.

Each pupil shall prepare himself, or herself, by careful study of
the subject or character assigned, and for this purpose the schools
shall be furnished with books of reference to be selected by the
Masters with the approval of the Chairman of the School Committee.

After the scholars shall have been interrogated upon the topic, the
teacher shall give his or her views, more or less at length, in the form
of a familiar and instructive lecture.

These exercises shall take place as frequently as practicable, in the
opinion of the Local Committee and teachers.

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, )

Roxbury Feb. 17, 1847. \

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the introduc-
tion of music into the public schools, beg leave to report :

That in their judgment it is expedient to provide instruction for
the advanced scholars, to the number of two hundred, in the Dudley
and Washington Schools, and for all the pupils in the Central and
Westerly Schools, or as many as can be taught in one room.

Your Committee recommend that Mr. T. B. Moses be appointed
teacher of music for one year, subject to the existing regulations as
to all teachers, at a compensation of one hundred dollars, for each
school, except the Dudley, and seventy-five dollars for that school ;
Mr. Moses to furnish Piano Fortes for the Washington, Central and
Westerly Schools.

Respectfully submitted by order of the Committee,

SAM'L. H. WALLEY, Jr., Chairman.

City Document.— No. 23.

REPORT

iisra^ioj siajxsiasrixaa®Ei

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

CITY OF ROXBURY

FOR JANUARY, 1847.

ROXBURY:

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

JOSEPH G. TORREY, CITY PRINTER.

1 847.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

The School Committee, impressed with a belief that the Primary
Schools of this City had not the same high rank with our Gram-
mar Schools, and that owing to their increased and increasing num-
ber, it was desirable that some general system of discipline and
instruction should be established, which should render more uniform
the preparation and attainments of those to be transferred from
them to the Grammar Schools, appointed the subscribers a Com-
mittee in August last to examine all the Primary Schools of this
City, to ascertain their comparative rank, and to suggest any im-
provements in the methods and means of instruction, which might
occur in the course of their examination.

The Committee endeavored faithfully to discharge the duties
assigned them. They together examined every school, as directed,
and besides visited several of the best schools of the same class in
Boston, to enable them more fully to ascertain in what respects, if
any, those institutions were superior to ours.

They found a great diversity in the management of our schools,
and in the relative attainments of the children. Some of them, both
in discipline and instruction ranked so low that it was alhiost dis-
couraging to attempt to improve them, while in others the discipline
was as good, and the progress as great as could be expected under
the system of instruction adopted, and with the apparatus and facili-
ties granted to the Teachers.

The best of them, they were satisfied, could be improved. An
erroneous idea of order seemed to prevail among our Teachers, that
a child should be disciplined to the most uncomfortable restraint of
all his physical powers, and with or without any lesson to study or
other mental exercise, should sit erect during school hours without
moving hand or foot, and this in most of our school rooms, upon seats
contrived more for economy than for the comfort of those destined to
use them. Such a system certainly tends to make the school any-

thing but attractive to children. The Committee esteem the best
order in a school, to be that which most fully employs each child
without annoyance to the rest, and this they were pleased to find in
some of the best Primary Schools in Boston Which they visited.
They were mortified to see how far superior they were to ours in
whatever regards the personal comfort of the children. Instead of
dirty rooms and bare walls, they found neatness everywhere ; they
found busts and pictures adorning the walls, bouquets and growing
plants in the windows. Various articles of natural history were on
the table and shelves. Everything there, seemed calculated to culti-
vate good taste, and attract the attention of children. When a class
had finished its recitation, the children were not required, as with us,
to sit unemployed till their next recitation came round ; they all had
slates and were taught to use them. Every child had something to
do. Every one seemed happy. The seats were far more com-
fortable than ours, and seemed to have been made with especial refer-
ence to the ease of the pupils. They were small armchairs, with
places of deposit underneath for the slates. They cost but a trifle
more than the miserable apologies for seats now occupied by our
children.

In the two new school houses recently erected in Roxbury, these
chairs have been adopted, and in these and in some of our other schools,
a small sum has been expended for the decoration of the rooms ;
while for all, such arrangements have been made, as will give to
them the apparatus they need.

The examining Committee were better pleased with the course of
instruction adopted in the Boston schools, than that prevalent here,
and recommended its general adoption. The School Committee, how-
ever, preferring to proceed cautiously, have adopted it as an experi-
ment in schools Nos. 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23 ; the experience of a few
months simultaneous trial, will show by which the children make the
most progress. Upon the recommendation of the examining Commit-
tee, the following votes were passed by the Board :

I. That Part 1, Title 10, Chapter 23, Section 7, of the Revised
Statutes, be annually published, with the Regulations of the School
Committee.

II. That the instructors shall be required to pay strict attention
to the morals of their pupils, and to exert themselves to comply with
so much of the foregoing statute as relates to them.

III. That the several Local Committees give their attention es-
pecially to the foregoing particulars, and endeavor to aid the teachers
in this department of their lahors.

IV. That the Examining Committee make enquiry upon the
points above mentioned, and report concerning them.

V. That the teachers be required to keep their several registers
with accuracy and completeness, and that the Local Committees be
instructed to report upon the manner in which this requisition is ob-
served.

VI. That whenever any Local Committee shall have omitted for
two successive months to visit the school under his charge, he shall
be considered as having vacated his office, unless satisfactory evi-
dence be given that his omission -was occasioned by sickness, or other
good and sufficient cause.

VII. That the Primary Schools shall contain as nearly an equal
number of pupils as practicable, it being desirable that the average
number of daily attendants should be about fifty in each school.

VIII. That every scholar shall be provided with a slate, and em-
ploy the time, not otherwise occupied, in writing, printing, or draw-
ing. As soon as they are able to do so, they shall be required to
print their spelling lessons on their slates, and continue to do this in
all the classes.

The scholars 'shall occupy a portion of the time of every school
session at the black-board in drawing or printing.

Simple oral lessons in arithmetic, adapted to the ages of the pupils,
shall be taught in each class.

The Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments shall be taught to
all the scholars in a simultaneous exercise. The audible repetition of
the former, by every scholar, shall form a part of the opening exer-
cises of every morning. The Commandments shall be audibly repeat-
ed in the same manner at least once a week.

Singing shall form a part of every school session.

The scholars shall be taught the meaning of the stops, and other
marks of punctuation, as they occur in their lessons.

Oral instruction shall form a part of the duties of the teacher, oc-
cupying not less than a quarter of an hour each session, at such time
as may be most convenient to the teacher. The exercises may be
common to all the classes, so as to explain their reading and other

lessons, and impart a full meaning of all that is read by the pupils?
or taught to them.

The Committee have since made another examination of the Pri-
mary Schools, and are pleased to report, that in nearly all of them
they discovered a marked improvement during the last three
months. They are satisfied that the teachers have exerted themselves,
and have full confidence, that their efforts, if properly seconded by
the School Committee and parents, will raise our schools to as high a
standard as any schools of the same class, in other cities. They
think that the importance of these Primary Schools has been hereto-
fore underrated, and that they have not received that share of atten-
tion from the School Committee which they deserve. Parents, too,
have not given them that encouragement which they ought. Every
parent who has a child in one of these schools should feel interest
enough in his welfare, to make frequent visits to the place where so
much of the time of that child is spent, and where his future charac-
ter, to a great degree, is moulding into form. Whatever may be the
indifference of others, the parent surely should feel a deep interest,
and not be satisfied without knowing what is done, day after day,
and week after week, at the school house.

Among the greatest difficulties that our teachers have to contend
with, is the frequent occurrence of tardiness and absence. We are
aware, that for this they are partly to blame, for if their schools were
more attractive, the children would be less eager to avail themselves
of every excuse for remaining at home. The Committee were par-
ticularly impressed with the truth of this view, in visiting one of the
Boston schools, where, with a favorable change of teacher, the aver-
age number of absences during six months, decreased more than one
half. The teacher, however, can do but little unless she is assisted
by the parents. If the child sees that he is sent to school merely as
a matter of convenience to the household, to get him out of the way
at home, and that all the regulations of school must give way to do-
mestic convenience, it would not be surprising, if he should never
learn to regard it as other than an irksome task to go there. On the
other hand, if the parent manifests an interest in the school by send-
ing him regularly and punctually, regardless of his personal con-
venience, as well as in his instruction while there, the child's in-
terest will be increased and the teacher's hand strengthened.

Keeping steadily in view the importance of arranging a more uni-
form system of education in our Primary Schools, particularly in
those in which candidates are fitted for the Washington and Dudley
Schools, the Committee have endeavored to discover and remove
every obstacle to such an arrangment. Prominent among these and
productive of much evil, is the great disparity of age among the
pupils. They esteem it very desirable that the standard of attain-
ments requisite for admission to the Grammar Schools, should be
kept as high as possible, and that such a system of transfer from
the Primary Schools, should be adopted as will give the greatest de-
gree of uniformity in the classes thus transferred. To effect this, in
the five lower Wards of the City, they deem it important to relieve
these schools of all children over eight or nine years of age, and to
make a rule, that hereafter none shall be received into them over
seven years of age. This they would do by organizing one or more
schools to receive such children as are beyond this age and are not
qualified to enter the Grammar Schools. They are satisfied, that in
such schools, where they are classed with children of their own age,
they will progress much more rapidly, while now, they prove a de-
cided hindrance to the progress of the smaller children, with whom
they are associated, and a still greater one to the good order and moral
standing of our Primary Schools. A great proportion of these are
neglected children, many of whom have contracted immoral habits,
and who finding themselves ranked with children much younger
than they, create disorder within the school, are truants themselves,
and not unfrequently, as in a striking instance stated in the last report
of the Examining Committee, lead others astray with them.

The Committee would have it expected of every Teacher, that
her children should be qualified by the age of eight years, to be
transferred to the Grammar Schools, or that she show good cause
why they are not. This they deem a measure important towards
establishing the system desired.

Appended to this report is a Tabular view of the condition
of the Primary Schools in Roxbury, on the aimual examination,
made in January, 1847, which they commend to the careful perusal
o£ the citizens,

CHARLES K. DILLAWAY,
AUGUSTUS C. THOMPSON,
GEORGE WM. BOND.

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Harriet W. Taber
Sarah L. Mecuen.
C. F. Moore.
Sarah W. Wyman.
Louisa E. Harris.
Caroline N. Heath.
Ann M. James.
Louisa Newton.
Sarah J. Morse.
Mary 0. Larkin.
Ellen A. Marean.
Louisa Mitchell.
S. P. Jennison.
Jane M. Swain.
Louisa Newell.
Martha Parmlee.
Ann C. Bell.
Caroline Williams.
S. G. Prentiss.
E. A. Pearson.
A. P. Prentiss.
Sarah Morrill.
M. A. Hamilton.
Elizabeth Thomas.

Total.

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Sumner street.

Sumner street. <

Centre street.
Washington st.
Washington st.
Eliot street.
Canterbury.
Spring street.
L. Canterbury
Near Grove Hall.
Mill Dam.
Yeoman street.
Oxford street.
Yeoman street.
Oxford street.
Centre street.
Yeoman street.
Nute's Corner.
Orange street.
Orange street.
Eustis street.
Mt. Pleasant.
Higlilands.

•ro(

"PS jo 'ON

IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, ;

Roxbury Sept. 10, 1846. \

The Sub-Committee to whom was referred a communication, made
to the School Committee, bearing date 27th July, 1846, with the fol-
lowing order attested by the City Clerk, viz :

11 Ordered, That the School Committee be requested to furnish the
schools with all necessary articles that shall be wanted from time to
time, for their use, and to make all the ordinary repairs in the school
rooms, that may be wanted from time to time."

With instruction to consider and report what action the School
Committee will take relative to said communication, have considered
the subject referred to them, and

REPORT :

The School Committee of last year recommended to the Town
that certain changes should be made, and that certain new school-
houses should be erected, &c. and that a given sum of money would
be requisite to meet these expenditures, and sustain the schools for
the years 1846-7. Soon after the organization of the City Govern-
ment, the amount of appropriation, which had been recommended
by the School Committee of the last year, was granted by the City
Council, except the item of compensation for the members of the
Committee, which had uniformly been allowed by the Town in years
past, and which may, if the Committee so desire, be claimed of the
City, under the provisions of Chap. 105 Sec. 4 of the Revised
Statutes of 1838.

The appropriation having been granted, the next question which
arose was, whether the City Government would continue the prac-
tice that had prevailed under the Town administration of confiding
the specific appropriation for each matter, (whether the building of a
school house, or general or special repairs,) to the management of
the School Committee, or whether it was expedient and prudent tp
5

change the usage, so that the City Council should themselves, or by
their Committee, actually superintend the various expenditures of
moneys thus appropriated. The Council deliberately determined
that it was their province and duty to expend as well as to appro-
priate the funds ; and the School Committee having ascertained such
to be the wish and intention of the City Council, passed certain re-
solves upon the 19th day of June, to which we refer as part of this
report, being determined to avail themselves of the opportunity thus
afforded them of relieving themselves of that which, for years past,
had proved to be an irksome and burdensome part of their duties.
This determination of the Council was made apparent by a succes-
sion of acts on their part. On the 11th of May last, Mr. Comins
submitted an order in Common Council, to the effect that the School
Committee be authorized to purchase land and erect a suitable build-
ing for a Primary School upon Mt. Pleasant, agreeably to the appro-
priation for that purpose ; and further, that all bills, orders or cer-
tificates for money incurred or authorized to be expended by the
School Committee, shall be examined by the Committee on Accounts,
and if correct and approved by them and the Mayor, shall be paid
by the Treasurer. This order was rejected.

On the 15th of May, Mr. Eaton submitted an order directing the
Committee of Public Instruction, to confer with the School Committee
as to the purchase of land and the erection of two new school houses,
and the repairs and alterations of the Washington school house,
with authority to make the purchases. This was adopted, and on the
18th of May, concurred in by the Aldermen. On the 28th of May,
the Committee on Public Instruction submitted a report recommend-
ing the reconsideration of the vote, by which the City Council
authorize them, "to purchase land and erect School houses," and
further recommend the referring the whole subject of school expendi-
tures to the School Committee.

This report was laid upon the table. In Common Council, June 4th,
the report was amended, by striking out the second branch of the
report, and was then accepted and sent up. At this meeting three
joint special committees were ordered to be chosen by ballot, to
purchase land, erect school houses, and repair Washington school
house, agreeably tP plans to be furnished by the School Committee.

It is thus eyident, by the action of the Council, in rejecting the or

der offered by Mr. Comins, on the 11th of May, and by refusing to
accept so much of the Report of the Committee upon Public Instruc-
tion, as recommended the referring the whole subject of school expen-
ditures to the School Committee on the 28th of May, that it was the
intention of the Common Council, not to empower the School Com-
mittee to build school houses, or even to make any expenditures on
account of the schools.

The Committee however, being unwilling to throw any obstacles
in the way of the erection of the new houses, and the alterations of
the Washington school house, appointed committees of consulta-
tion as required. All matters of expenditures being thus in the
hands of the City Council, the Local Committee of the Dudley
School preferred a request to the City Council, that the amount ap-
propriated for that School, and included in the estimates, might be
expended in making the contemplated repairs. This was on the 6th of
July. Owing to a difference of opinion between the two branches,
as to the appropriate Committee, action was delayed on this matter
for several weeks, and finally the subject was referred to a special
joint Committee, under whose direction the repairs are now in pro-
gress. It is a matter of regret that these repairs had not been com-
pleted by the close of vacation ; but there was doubtless some una-
voidable detention in the work, after the appointment of the special
Committee.

The question now presented is, what is the proper course for the
School Committee to adopt for the future 1 Shall they, or not, com-
ply with the request of the City Council as expressed in the com-
munication of the 27th of July % It is the wish of the School Com-
mittee to subserve the interests of the City, and of the Schools, in
every way in their power, and they will not, we feel sure from false
pride, and hardly from self-respect, allow the schools to suffer, if in
their power to prevent it. We believe that the welfare of the schools
has been somewhat affected, and may be seriously injured by the
present arrangement ; perhaps all the injury which can accrue has
happened, and everything will go on as we ali desire for the time
to come. We must confess we have our fears, that all is not right
yet — and will not be, if we accede to the wishes of the City Council.

It is perfectly obvious, for example, that there is a difference of
understanding among the members of the City Government, as to
the proper construction of the very order under consideration. It is

supposed by some, that " ordinary repairs" includes everything but
erecting new buildings or enlarging old ones ; others restrict the
phrase so as to exclude the purchase of seats and the making of such
repairs as are now in progress in the Dudley School house.

What then are ordinary repairs ? What are necessary articles, &c. 1
These are questions that have been asked, and must frequently be
suggested. They may or may not occasion difficulty in their solution,
but we can conceive of an honest difference of opinion as to the ne-
cessity of repairing a room, or the kind and degree of repairs required.
Under this order, who is to judge whether any repairs, and if so, of
what description are required, for the convenience of children or the
preservation of property % If the City Council do not feel justified in
authorizing the School Committee to expend moneys appropriated
for specific objects, then ought they not to appoint an individual to
superintend the public property, who should be under the direction of a
Committee of their body 1 and if the appointment of such on officer
is unnecessary, from the fact that the public property is not of suffi-
cient magnitude to warrant the expense, then there is no ground for
the comparisons which is instituted between Boston and Roxbury in
these matters.

In fine the School Committee ought, in our judgment, either
to be authorized to expend all the appropriations granted for
the building, repairing and furnishing school houses, or none ; the
City Council ought to make their expenditures, each and all, by a
committee or agent of their own, or to delegate the power to the
School Committee, as may seem to the City Council most fit and
proper, and of this matter they are the proper judges. But we insist,
that the duty named cannot be conveniently and properly divided, so as
to be performed by two bodies, as is contemplated in the order under con-
sideration.

Before we perceived, as we have done in the case of the Dudley
School house, the practical difficulty of giving a construction to
the term " ordinary repairs," we were disposed to recommend,
for the sake of harmony and good feeling, that we should acquiese
in the wishes of the City Council, and conform to the terms of
this order. But upon more reflection, we are of opinion, that the re-
sult of such action cannot fail to be perplexing, and to involve greater
difficulties than any we have yet experienced, and therefore that it
is more prudent for the School Committee to decline any interference

in relation to expenditures for school houses, unless after a more ex-
plicit statement of the items which are understood to be included in
the matters of expenditure referred to the Committee.
- If the City Council feel bound to make the expenditures, ought
not they, or their agents, to make the whole? If they think otherwise,
it is at least necessary that they should specify the particulars so as
to prevent any future conflict of jurisdiction, if upon examination they
should find such a specification to be practicable. Many heads can
plan, but it is best that one alone should execute. Being called upon
to surrender the trust which we have held under the Selectmen,
in years past, of erecting and repairing school houses, we prefer
to surrender the entire trust, and confine ourselves to the internal
affairs of the schools and matters of instruction.

Submitted very respectfully, by

SAMUEL H. WALLEY, Jr. )

CHARLES K. DILLAWAY, ) Sub-Committee.

BENJAMIN E. COTTING, )

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