The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, June 02, 1922, Image 3
FAILURES IN
HIGH SCHOOL
K If you, Mr. Editor of The Times
^ will give this article space in youi
paper, I shall be pleased. This is inj
first attempt to speak through the
press to the patrons of Union or ol
any other town in which I have evei
. taught. This may prove an utter failure,
but I hope to be able to handli
this question so that some light maj
be thrown on the question, "Why art
so many pupils failing in higli
schools 1"
y It would be much more of a pleasure
to me if I could speak to the mother*;
and fathers who have boys and girl?
in the building of which i am principal.
But if 1 should announce that I
would speak in the high school auditorium
some evening 011 this subject
I can only wonder what response 1
would get or what interest mother 1
and fathers would show. However, 1
am taking the safe route, hoping that
every patron of the high school will
read and think about what I have to
say, whether you agree with me 01
not.
If I could get someone else to write
this article, I certainly would. While
I am writing with the Union high
school as a basis and with the endorsement
of t.hn sillU'vinl.miliinf ....-1 IK..
V. r " " vv iivtv114/ unu HIV
high school teachers, I fee] sure that
it will be read by other teachers and
N patrons outside of the town.
But let us go on. I want to be
thoroughly fair and square in what
I have to say. I have been studying,
watching, thinking, trying to diagnose
the trouble. I wish to get at the
causes of so many failures. The first
move I made in studying this question
was to look at self. In teaching, formulating
questions, and correcting papers,
I find that I am using about the
same system that I used before the
war. If anything, I am more lenient.
I came to Union November 17,
1920. . It always works some hardrv
ship:? lo change horses in the middle
B of a stream. So I wanted to fit in
and tighten dowh gradually.
After I left Union last June, I
learned that it was the same old story
of failures in Laurens. That was the
subject of conversation. When I arrived
at home several informed me
about so many pupils failing in the
high school. About this time, I noticed
that Mr. Flora, principal of Hie
high school in Columbia, had found it
,|, necessary to open a summer school
because so many pupils had failed.
*/' The same thing happened-in Rocn llill
* and other towns. Mr. Jelfries, feeling
that something must be done in
Union, wi'ote me and I returned and
we began a summer school. While
there I talked to numbers of our pupils
who openly told me that they did
not study last year. Some told me
that they seldom ever opened a book
away from school. They did not tell
me anything new, but I appreciated
tne trutn coming irom the pupil.
While I was in Columbia towards
the last of the summer, I discussed
the school situation from various angles
with numbers of teachers from
over the state and with members of
the department of education. I asked
questions bearing on the subject of so
many failures in high schools. The
answers were, "Same looks, same
teachers, better equipment, and same
system of grading yet a larger number
of failures." We have taught practically
the same books for years. I
have taught the same Latin Grammar,
Algebra, Arithmetic, History,
English and other books which are
being taught in the high schools and I
feel that-1 am familiar enough with
the texts and the method of teaching
them to nave an idea of when the
book is being taught properly or of
whether the examinations are In rea
son. I have visited the rooms and observed
the work as far as I have had
m/BHaM
The Win*
There is a joyft
the motor buri
I
gasoline that is a r
have been using one-i
MOTOR GASOLINE
different conditions
mobile must be ope
' ^ It is balanced to gh
quiet idling? flexibiU
mileage. It should ]
give you the best re
STANDARD
>. (new
: y
"STAN
The Balath
> >' ' :V
time and have made comparisons of
the teaching here with that I hove ob
j served in other schools. Our system
of teaching and grading is practically
the same as that used in other schools
, of the state.
r We started this year with a motto,
f and this motto I frequently announced
: during the chapel exercises, "Talk
f less, think more," or as stated another
way, "Use the mouth less and the head
. more." We have striven during the
? entire year to get individual work
r from the pupils. 1 have sought
? through study and application means
i by which to accomplish results and
t ani i rank to tell any one who is
i interested enough to know that a
i large number of the pupils of the Uni
ion high school did not study Inst
. year and the per cent is about the
same this year. I believe the worst
. is over, however, for the children are
; influenced and have been influenced
by the conditions which we have found
I ourselves in during the years following
the war period. We have wit,
nessed this shaking up in the financial
and in the social walks of life; it is
, only natural that "Young America'
would be influenced in the schools
just as we older ones outside have
been.
One hundred and fifty did not make
their grades clear and above board
last year while 134 failed on one 01
more subjects in mv building Ibis
year. Why these failures? That is
the question. When I checked up in
the grades I found about the same \ <
suits as one of the lady teaclv r; yhc
checked up her grade one morning and
found that eight out of 24 pupils had
spent as much as 20 minutes preparing
the lessons.
Sometime ago I spoke of pupils as
being divided into four classes:
1. The pupil who studies and
passes.
2. The pupil who is unnremireH foi
the grade in which he or she is placed. I
3. The pupil who studies and fails. I
4. The pupil who does not study audi
fails.
Too often parents do not know their
children. Perhaps I can hear some
fathers and mothers say, "You are
wrong." But I'll go further ami say
that parents are more easily deceive !
ihan any other person with whom the
child comes in contact. It's a hard
proposition for children who sit together
in the class room to fool each
ether. They know each other's faults,
and limitations. Playmates know each
other. The child knows his father
and mother. But I have met very few
fathers and mothers who know thci?children.
I could give numbers of examples
which have come in my perronal
experience as a teacher.
Your bovs or girl fails in one of the
four classes I have named. If he oshe
fails in No. 1, why, there has
never been a kick made. That is the
normal child meeting all requirements.
Class No. 2 finds pupils who
have been promoted too carelessly or
who come from the country schools
unprepared. If the teachers do their
duties very few pupils would be in
this class. No child should he promoted
unless it is prepared for the
next higher grade. Class No. 3 is a
1 hard proposition to handle. I feel thai
! parent and teacher should get to!
gether as quickly as possible with this
class. The fa<ther and mother may
not have a good chance to compare
their children with other children.
Therefore unless their attention is attracted
bv some outstanding characteristic
of the child, the reports continue
to come in with low marks,
while pupil and parent criticize the
teachers for unfairness in the grading.
This always leads to unpleasant
feelings which could be avoided if the
parent would come to the teacher and
ask for the truth in the matter. If
you will let me offer a suprprestion, it
is this: Please never use a phond nor
talk to a teacher about your child
where the conversation can be heard
js of Merc
ll, business-like hum to
ling correctly balanced
evelation to drivers who
sided fuels. "STANDARD"
is built up to ipeet the
under which every autorated.
re your car easy starting,
Ity, speed and maximum
be used with Polarine to
suits.
OIL COMPANY
JERSEY)
%
H.
IDARD"
ced Gasoline!
by other people.
In some of the larger schools special
attention is given and special
teachers are provided for the extreme
(Ages that Vifnio under division No. 3.
But in our sctiool, crowded as we are,
teachers do not have time for much
individual attention. A pupil in this
division may have to remain in a
grade two years and may never get
beyond the 8th grade. If there is
rnyone who believes that we teachers
should give the children more individual
attention, please imagine yourself
a teacher in the high school. Here is
the daily program:
First period, 8th grade boys, 42 on
the roll.
Second period, 8th grade girls, See.
A. 31 on the roll.
Third period, 8th grade girls, Sec.
B, 32 o|J the roll.
Fourth period, Dili grade boys, 20
on the roll.
Fifth period, 9th grade girls, 30 oa
the roll. <
Sixth period, 10th grade boys and
girls, 33 on the roll. i
^ on will handle 200 pupils in the <
six periods of 40 minutes each. You i
hold an extra study period during the
day. Remember that in these large
lassos, discipline comes in for extra !
time and energy.
When a teacher handling the above
schedule is told that she is not giving 1
enough personal attention to her pupils
and that complaints ar-e being i
made, she replies with a complaint of I
the fourth classification of pupils,
namely, those pupils who constantly i
prey upon the nerves of the teachers. 1
Such pupils know nothing about the i
lessons and care less. Their motto is <
to worry the teacher as much as pos- 1
sible, kill as much time as possible by (
asking unnecessary questions to draw ;
the teacher off the lesson, make extya <
noise, and when punished, try to place t
the blame on the teacher. The father >
and mother in some cases pity a child 1
of this class at the expense of the en- a
tire school system ranging from the f
trustees, superintendent to the jani- ]
tor. Right then and there the "goose I
s cooked" so far as that child is con- i
corne I. If my classification of pupilis
correct in a general way, to what t
class of pupils does your child belong? i
Do yo i know that ho or she has failed i
on from two to five subjects? j
Now each teacher in my building i
nas oeon required to tile all examina-|i
tion papers and monthly test papeisjc
with, me in the ofliee. If any mother s
or father is not satisfied with the t
marks as given jn the report cards, (
shall he glad to go over the papers t
with him or her. We will get after t
the facts in the case from a real bus- \
iness standpoint. I have tried to de- i
scribe the facts as accurately as I ^
know how. But a discussion is not I
complete nor is any criticism just I
without an explanation of the cause i
and a suggestion of the cure. Do not j
get the impression from what you i
have read that I am seeking to place \
the blame for the failures of the pu- t
pils in schools on either the pupil, the (
patron or the teacher. It is my conviction
that each of us should bear 1
our part but that we should get to- a
gether to remove the cause. I do want t
to say that I am endeavoring to get ]
at the facts in the case, and since I i
neither seek praise nor dodge com- f
plaints, I am willing to bear the criti- s
cisni rather than have hard things j
said about the lady teachers who j
worked faithfully in my building. A c
fair and square proposition on a j
strictly business basis is just as appli- c
cable to a high school asto any other (
less important enterprise of a town, t
I have been trying to keep the cause
and the cure before me in everything r
that I do in teaching. But since the ,
great majority of school failures fall j
in Class No. 4 of our division, it t
stands to reason that more study is j
the only sure cure. We have study v
periods arranged for each class. I j
visit the rooms to see if I can catch ^
f
r
t
c
iJ
A thirsty man doesn't go to a J.
soda fountain and say "Give r
me a soft drink." He gets the o
drink he likes best?the one 1
that tickles his palate, that
peps him up and does not g
hurt his digestion. If your
car could pick its own fill- f
iner station. &iixnHnt? mnulA ha
bought the same way.
K^3Sn j
\T^\x
" j
ury I
(
|V? '
pupils studying. When I asked one '
class why I never caught them study- (
ing during a study period, one boy reElied,
"It's because you wear rubber <
eels." But it is the tendency of pu- <
pils of Class No. 4 to want to get
something for nothing. They are look- <
ing for good marks but they are not i
willing to buckle down and study to
get them. It can best be describad by <
the word "indifference." ' <
The mind of the pupil is more generally
tilled with other things. I am <
not a mind reader but I am able to i
read the thoughts of some pupils who
sit under me. On arriving at school *
every child wants to talk. They pro- 4
reed to relate their experiences of the
afternoon and night nefore. In the *
meantime the school is a great place 4
to plan for the following afternoon
and night. It takes "pulling eye *
teeth" to keep the average high school 4
pupil's mind on the lesson. Athletics
come in for a certain amount of just 4
1 iticism but it is my experience that 4
i.i many respects it is best for the boy
>r girl of the adolescent age to work *
iff the surplus physical energy on the 4
utthletic field. But I am not discussing
this phase of the school child. *
However, I will say that the boys and 4
jirls who spend their afternoons playing
games are much more benefited *
than those who follow many other 4
forms of amusements.
With me, teaching is strictly a business
proposition. It is always best
to meet at situation fair and square.
Teachers do not want children to re- *
main in the same grade two years. 4
But one of the best recommendations
\ teacher can have is that a number
>f pupils in her grade are failing. 4
However, this is contrary to the general
opinion. I have heard fathers
ind mother's say, "My children are <
loing well at school. They do not seem
.0 study much at home but they are
jetting good reports." I have been 4
jehind the screen enough to know that <
vhen the above statement is made
somebody is falling down on the job. <
[ have nothing but contempt for (
eachei's who pad the reports of their
mpils. <
Occasionally, I hear parents say (
hat their children made good marks
intil they entered the eighth grade <
?r the first year of the high school. ,
\ book could be written in explanation
>f this statement. But I shall only
isk that you consider the age of the ,
hiId, the books studied and the high
ichool requirements as compared with
hu grammar grades.
It is always a pleasure to discuss
he work of the boys and girls with
lie fathers and mothers. Often it is
veil to have the child present. We
an arrive at a mutual understanding
vhereby the child feels an interest is
)eing shown in him, and that either
)y moral pressure or otherwise h<*
mist do better work. But I have no
uitience with any patron who comes
o me in an attitude of criticism to- *
vard the teachers, basing his or her 4
ugument upon the reports of tattlers
r upon the whims of the child. *
Now just a word about grading: 4
rhe passing mark in the Union high
ichool is 70 on finals while the state <
ligh school inspector recommends 75. 4
Pupils who do not fall below 85 will
lot have to stand a final. Or if they i
all beow 85 then they can make an 4
iverage of 90 and get out of the final.
never went to a school nor taught *
n one where pupils could so easily get 4
>ut of the finals. Our passing mark
s not too high in comparison with '
thers schools, so I am quite sure that <
>ur failures can not be attributed to
he high standard in grading. *
If a boy or a girl fails to make the <
lext grade it is always a disappointnent
to the teachers as well as to the
'athers and mothers. It is a sad mis- <
ake to have a child fall in Class No. 2.
2vcry child should be put in the grade
vhere he or she can do the best work. 1
t is up to the teachers to look after
his class. If a child falls in Class No.
! of our division of pupils we should <
five our sympathy and encourage- .
nent and thus stimulate such a pupil
o put fourth greater effort to over
ome his handicap. But if a boy or a ,
rirl falls in Class No. 4 as a large
>er cent of those who fail do, we '
lave a problem where positiveness i^ ^
iceded and needly badly at each end
f the line. *
'romotions and Failures in the High 4
School Building.
Tenth Grade: Promoted, 19; failed. *
I; dropped out, 6; total, 33. 4
lNiiiln urado lioys: Promoted, 3; 1
ailed, 15; dropped out, 2; total, 2(5, <
Ninth Grade Girls: Promoted, HP. 4
ailed, 13; dropped out, 3; total, 35.
Eighth Grade Boys: Promoted, 14; <
ailed, 23; dropped out, 5; total, 42. 4
Eighth Grade Girls, A: Promoted,
3; failed, 13; dropped out, 5; total, *
1. 4
Eighth Grade Girls, B; Promoted.
; failed, 23; dropped out, 5; total,
2.
Total: Promoted, 78; failed, 05;
Iropped out, 2(5; total, 109. *
i rani mar Grades in .High School 4
Building.
Seventh Grade Girls: Promoted. *
!7; failed, 5; dropped out, 2; total, 34. 4
Seventh Grade Boys: Promoted,
!(5; failed, 8; dropped out, 8; total, 42.
Sixth Grade Boys and Girls: Pronoted,
23; failed, 6; dropped out, 5;
otal, 34.
Sixth Grade Boys: Promoted, 17;
ailed, 13; dropped out, (5; total, 36.
Sixth Grade Girls: Promoted, 23;
ailed, 7; dropped out, 4; total, 34.
Total: Promoted, 194; failed, 164;
Iropped out, r?l; total, 379.
ailed, 0; dropped out, 1; total, 21.
Grand Total: Promoted, 214; failed,
134; chopped out, 52; total, 400.
Z. L. Madden, .
Retiring Principal of the Union High
School.
Cracker Jack
The picnic was fine. I wish all of
he writers could have been with us. '
am sorry 'Everyday Worker" got ^
lis finger "cut. ^
Miss Louise Lawson spent Sun- 4
lay with Miss Coline Ijawson. 4
Miss Nellie Inman and Miss Jettic
3reer spent Sunday with Miss Ella
ifaughan and attended services at
Philippi church.
Mrs. R. L. Young and daughter, '
Helen Young, and Mrs. Kisler spent
ruesday with her mother, Mrs. Davis.
Misses Annie and Lillie Belle '
Greer have returned home after
'.pending some time with their sister
in I^eeds. '
Mrs. Luis Wood, Willie Taylor, and
Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Worthy, of Leeds, ^
*pcnt Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Lester
Greer.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde McNeaee were
)D this route this week. \
Miss Gladys and John Greer spent ,
the week with their grand-parents,
Mr. and Mr*. Tom Clark.
Miss Mable Clark spent the week i
?nd with her aunt, Mr?. Edna Clark. 1
Clumb and Sidney Vaughan, of 1
Adamsburg spent a short while at <
During June the regular 25c size 19c
\ 5^2^ Liver Salts |
? A granular effervescing Saline aperient. Very pleasant to take, and mild in
1 action. Will aid in the relief of stomach, liver and intestinal disorders. j
Regular 60c size, Special 49c
C v
[* HARMONY LIQUID SHAMPOO |
^ contains all the necessary ingredients for ihe proper clerr.sing of hair and sea lp. Y
[ including Saponified Cocoanut Oil, which by feeding the roots gives strength to the
p hair. Leaves the hair soft and fluffy. V
. Regular price 50c, June Special 33c v
t *
? With every FLASHLIGHT a regular two-cell battery FREE. %
? The Scout FLASHLIGHT is t-e best you have over seen, se'ling
[* at $1.35 %
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\ . CASCADE LINEN STATIONERY |
f Pound paper and envelopes represent the greatest economy in Stationery at or- Y
r dinary prices when together they cost 80c?BUT during this sale you can buy over V*
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f 90 sheets paper and 50 envelopes for 50c ??
f ~ A Saving of 30 cents V
f ~ . ~ Y
i DR. TULLAR WHIRL SPRAY SYRINGE X
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[ Made of high grade rubber. Onyx color, eight ounce capacity. This is the original J
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or to match the Onyx (red and black mot .led) buib. Has soft rubber cap. %
[ Regular price $3.00, June Special $1.98
\ Storm's Drug Store I
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The ^R&XOJUL Store |
i UNION, SOUTH CAROLINA _____ Phone 76-9 E. Main St X
? X
he home of Mr, and Mrs. George ' ^
nman Sunday.
Haiti was proclaimed independent | SUMMER CAMPS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS I
in 1804 from the French. ?jj j|
Bees will not swarm without their j
| IN THE MOUNTAINS OF J
]u?en. k WESTERN NORTH PA PHI IMA I
_ . - - ?? ? ? ? ' VrtlW/LUllfl
The United States destroyer mine REACHED VIA
layer Israel No. 98 has a speed ol"|
" 1-2 ma^jn hour. SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM
John Shell, 135 years of age, a KenLnckian,
was married a few montns Accommodations reasonable and every feature of
ago. amusement and education available. Write or call on
The wood of 500 trees must be nan- # COTNER,
ofactured into paper to provide ma- District Passenger Agent,
terial for the publication of a novel Spartanburg, S. C.
H-M i
I YOU SAVE MONEYI
& X
I Bargains For Month ol June |
? A
jpf These are days when every cent count). We have gone through the store and ^
^ selected some articles of the highest quality and merit, and are going to sell them
at greatly reduced prices. They are things that are popular and sell every day. ^
You either need them now or will need them very soon, so here is an opportunity ^
^4 to save some money. Everything listed is the best money can buy and all have
^4 our unqualified guarantee of satisfaction or money back. We want to do everything A
% we can to help our people economize and the growth of our business is evidence A
that we are never undersold. We urge you to look over this price list and make ??
^ your purchases early as the quantity is limited.
t SPECIAL SALE NOW otvt V
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^ The finest quality of adhesive plaster made. As a medicated plaster it has no su- Y
^ periors, and should be in every emergency kit. Can be used to stick and mend Y
f anything. Large spool, 1 inch by 5 yards. X
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f Usual price 40c, during June only, Special 29c Y
( X
? WITH EVERY BOX OF %
^ at the regular price of 50c we will give a regular 25c
. I cake of Jonteel Soap FREE. ijo
jf \ J LJI Jonteel Face Powder has that wonderful fineness J
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Superior quality imported Jordan Almond Nuts, coated with pure granulated
t, sugar. There are many different grades of Jordan Almonds, but we know these
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? Usual Price 50c pound, Special 39c |
% %
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? In convenient Sprinkler Top Can. Soothes irritation caused by perspiration, ??
and relieves inflammation caused by chafing. "Best For Babies." Soothing, healing
and comforting for etnder skins.