- Schools -
This article appeared in the Fall River Star in February of 1920, over 100 years ago. Some of the questions and responses are still being asked and discussed today.
“The average attendance at Fall River High School for the first semester was as follows: Senior boys 2.87, girls 1.98 for a total of 4.85. Junior boys 3.64, girls 6 for a total of 9.64. Sophomore boys 4.66, girls 4.89 for a total of 9.55. Freshmen boys 20.30, girls 18.15 for a total of 38.65. Based on the actual enrollment for the semester this represents an attendance of 93.4 percent.
The pupils enrolled and attending classes should have made a total of 268 grades of 75% or above, (75% is the minimum passing grade.) However, there were 43 grades, below the required standing, making a failure of 16%, or in other words the school is 84% efficient. To this we do not point with pride but with the hope that improvement may be made. The failing grades were made by 23 students distributed as following: Seniors 1, Juniors 0, Sophomore 7 and Freshmen 15.
It should also be observed that there were six pupils who made a semester average of 90% or above. Four were Freshmen girls, one a Junior girl, and one a Junior boy. It is true the “grades do not mean everything” but in the absence of a better way they are the only bases of comparison and record. The reader may notice the difference in favor of the girls and ask, why? Are girls better students than boys? Do they have fewer distractions? Why? Are they more regular in their habits of study? Why? Do the boys not care as much about a “standing?” Why? These are questions for parents as well as pupils to consider. Parents should notice the report cards and see whether or not their children are falling below the standard and if they are, inquire into the cause and then do all that can be done to get better work on the part of the pupil. Nor are these the only questions to be considered. The one big question presenting itself here is, why do pupils fail?
In seeking for the answer to this question three elements are to be consideredthe pupil, the teacher, and the physical equipment of the school. Assuming that these are mentioned in order if importance consider first the pupil. Supposing first of all that the pupils really want to learn, that they have ambition to succeed in their school work, these questions may be asked. (1) Is their previous preparation adequate? (2) Is their health good? Sight and hearing normal? (3) Do they have time necessary to do the required work? (4) Is their mental ability normal? (5) Do they make the proper application? (6) Do they have proper encouragement at home?
In answer to the first question, so far as high school is concerned it is to be assumed, in as much as a grade school or county diploma must be presented for high school entrance, that the previous preparation is adequate. The second question suggests a possible handicap with which many ambitious young people have to contend with. However, with careful attention to diet, rest, fresh air, exercise, cleanliness, etc., most young people in our schools may be considered sufficiently robust to do the work usually outlined in the high school course of study. As to the time necessary for the required work it may be said that in this there is a great difference due to mental ability and habit along with the other demands made upon the pupil’s time. Ordinarily no pupil carries more than four subjects. In our school the pupil carrying four subjects has four study periods of 45 minutes each for preparation of his lessons. It is not claimed that this is sufficient time for preparation but that this time well spent will relieve the necessity of spending much time on lessons at home. Two-thirds of the work, at least, should be done at school, where the pupil has the advantage of the teachers aid and the use of the library. In answer to the fourth question, it may be assumed that the pupils being in high school at all is evidence of normal mental ability. The fifth question perhaps is the most important, considering that the others may be answered in the affirmative. Most high school pupils have not learned how to study and, in a measure at least spend time and effort to little or no purpose. But the pupil who has learned to give their undivided attention to one thing at a time, shutting out distracting thoughts and impulses, until they have mastered the task in hand has made a long step in the direction of ultimate success. It is not that pupils should not be interested in social life, athletics, etc., but that a proper estimate of the value of each should be had and that each should occupy its own place in the scale of values. Too many pupils mistake the means for the end. All these interests as well as the lessons, are the means employed to reach the end or purpose of education, namely that the individual shall attain the highest possible standard of moral, social, and industrial worth in their community in the time in which they live.
The answer to the sixth question will be favored outside of the school. It is up to the parents and the home to give all the possible encouragement and as far as possible urge the young person toward high standards of scholarship as well as of industry and respect for authority.
The teacher must be considered too. It is to be assumed of course that they have the education and legal qualifications necessary, that they have high moral and ethical standards. But these are not all. They must have tact, sympathy, a proper sense of the “fitness of things” and be a good judge of human nature. They must be patient. They must know what the pupils are expected to do, what they are able to do, and to see that they do it. Too many of the teachers do too much for the pupils without getting them to do enough for themselves. A pupil seldom, if ever, does more or better work than the teacher requires of them. It is by their own work and not by the teacher’s that the pupil acquires knowledge, power and skill. To say that the pupils like a teacher is not good. They may be liked by the pupils because they make life too easy for them in that they are not exacting enough.
As to building and physical equipment Fall River is fortunate beyond the average community and nothing need be said about it at this time.”
