ELIMINATION FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE. By G. W.
Gayler,
Superintendent of Schools, Canton,
III.
During the last few years many statistical studies of elimination have been made, all pointing to the fact that a very large percentage of the pupils who enter school drop out before finishing the eight elementary grades, and a still larger percentage never finish the high school. In this discussion we have heard little concerning specific helpful plans to hold children in school. The plans given below were developed in part at several different places but they have been more fully matured and carried out in Canton than in any of and
the other towns.
Large Percentage of Gam
in
Upper Grades.
The following table gives the enrolment of our schools by grades for the month of September for each of the three school years, 1910,
1911, 1912: 1910
1911
1912
First
303
328
346
Second
265
Third
281
257 272
267 260
Fourth
234
309
286
Fifth
223
261
Sixth
165
207 201
Seventh
120
163
165
Eighth High School Shepley
107
120
159
203
255
283
Grades
23 1924
Total
209
(counted above) 2112
2236
This table shows that there has been a gain in the last two years in almost every grade, but that the big gains have been made in the upper grades of the elementary school and in the high school. The average percentage of gain for the whole system during these years has been 16 per cent. The gain in the first six grades has been only 10 per cent, while the gain in the last six grades has been 47.4 per cent. This shows that the high percentage of gain has been in the seventh
(11)
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
12
and eighth grades and in the high school where a very large majority of the children are over fourteen years of age. In two years the gain in the high school has been 39.5 per In the same time the eighth grade has increased 48.6 per cent. cent, the seventh grade 37.5 per cent, and the sixth grade 26.6 per The
cent.
when
they
effort than the
figures indicate that boys and girls above the legal age drop out, are remaining in school, and that a greater ever before is being made to have all the children of all
could
people get
the maximum benefit of the schools.
This does not
problem has been solved, but it does mean that earnest being put forth and that these efforts are in a degree bear-
that the
mean
efforts are ing fruit. We feel that the means used to hold children in school have been helpful but that only a start has been made along this line, and that this work should be given a great deal more attention than it has received in the past. How did this
come
about?
gain come about? In the first place a study of conditions, statistical in its nature, was made and discussed This study brought before in principals' and teachers' meetings. the teaching group, as nothing else could, the actual condition with regard to elimination,?the problem to be solved. For years many How did this
school
have been contented to teach the children who come to school thought about the ones who did not come?the ones who had dropped by the wayside. For years many have not seen of
us
without much
When the the problem of the eliminated child in its seriousness. whole matter was brought before them, the teachers as a body enlisted in the fight to save boys and girls for the upper grades and the high school. The missionary spirit of the teachers of the schools and the personal effort as a result of that spirit has had much to do with results. Elimination due to Failure in Work.
investigation showed that a very large percentage of those dropped out of school were of the class who failed in work. The overgrown boys and girls when held back will be eliminated One of the problems is to prevent failures whenever sooner or later. possible. Attempts at prevention, to be effective, must commence Our
who
the first month of the school year. Within the first two months know should rather the teacher definitely who can carry the work without extra of the grade effort, and who can not do so without some
plan
personal to
attention.
In
questionable
it has been the and in all cases to give cases
give all children the chance to go on help whenever it was possible to do
individual
so.
ELIMINATION.
13
Change of Spirit of School. of the school counts. Formerly in many schools it was considered that a teacher did not do her work well, that her room was not up to standard, unless there were the usual number of failures, varying from one-quarter to one-third of Here is where the
spirit
the class. This has been in a large degree changed, and now we have the understanding that if more than 15 per cent of a class fail there must be something wrong and an investigation must follow. Two months before the end of the school year each teacher makes out a list of probable failures together with the cause of such This list is gone over failures and how each can be prevented. the with the principal of the building, or superintendent of schools, and each individual pupil failing in work is discussed, and if possible some way is found to help him make the grade. Basis
of Promotion.
making promotions on the amount and quality of on this alone, all promotions are made after taking into consideration four points,?age of child, heredity and environment, ability to do the work, amount and quality of work done. After promotions are made, it is the privilege of the superintendent to reconsider any case that may come to him and if in his judgment it is best for the child to be sent to an advanced grade, this action is taken, always however with the definite understanding that he This method of handling assumes all the responsibility for the act. promotions together with the new spirit of the teaching force has greatly reduced the number of failures. In many cases the failures have been reduced to one-third of the number failing in previous At the same time the grades of the children and the quality years. Instead of work done and
of the work done have been raised.
Acquaintance
with
High
School.
A lack of knowledge of what is done in the higher grades and in the high school together with a nervousness about the change from a small ward building to a central school, larger and more complex in its structure, has something to do with elimination. In order to give pupils some idea of the building and the work that is
High School each year entertains all the children in the above the fifth. This is done on an afternoon of a regular grades school day, and the children of the different rooms are brought to the high school building by the regular room teacher. The grades done,
are
the
assembled in the
High School assembly
room, where
they
listen
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
14
consisting of music by the High School Orchestra, Chorus, and the High School Boys' Quartette. Each of the literary societies presents a selection representing the work it does. The principal gives a talk on the work done in the High School, and upon the value of a high school education. One of the ward principals also presents the value of remaining in school. After a short interesting program of this kind, the children accompanied by their teachers and under the direction of high school pupils, are shown through all the different departments of the school. Especial attention is given to the science department, the manual training department, the printing department, the domestic science In each of these departroom, and the commercial department. In this ments students are at work illustrating the things done. the children become and visited are somewhat all departments way acquainted with the work offered. Probably for the first time they have had the opportunity of going through the building and becoming familiar with it. Whenever possible these same boys and girls with their parents are invited to a basket-ball game at night. The high school gymnasium and the high school grounds should be the to
the
a
program
High
School
center of school athletic activities so that the children will get the habit of coming there. All of this has its effect in holding children in school. Talks about Value
of Remaining.
Before the close of school in the to talk to the children
spring
each teacher is asked
the value of
remaining in school. She encourages the children to talk about the school and gets all the reasons why they can not or will not remain in school. This free discussion sometimes brings out criticisms of the school which concerning
vital and which should be considered by the teachers. The superintendent visits many of the rooms and talks on the same subject, explaining and emphasizing the work of the upper grades and the high school. These personal talks instruct children and parents as to the advantages offered and they also show the value of many things not clearly understood before. Our experience is that our plan is worth all the time and energy it takes and that it has a tendency to stop elimination. are
Letters
During
the month of
sent to Individuals.
August just before school commences a Pay to Attend School?" is mailed to eighth grade pupil enrolled the previous
little leaflet entitled "Does It every
sixth, seventh,
and
ELIMINATION.
15
It is also sent to many high school pupils. This is a direct cases there is no doubt that it has accomplished brings home to pupils the value of an education in dollars and cents as well as the value of an education from the standpoint of an intellectual life. In order to convey some idea of the contents of the year.
appeal good.
I
am
and in many This leaflet
giving
below four short selected
paragraphs
from it:
leaflet,
"1. Are you thinking of continuing at work and of staying out of school? Do you realize that only the weightiest of reasons Never has individual training should cause one to leave school? been so important, and sacrifice so wise a course to follow, as to-day. line of work is calling for men with power to think. Conditions of life make it necessary to choose wisely what you do and whom you follow. "2. Statistics show that a young person having a high school education has many times as many chances for success as the per-
Every
The financial value of an education without that training. has been estimated in the following way: A day laborer without an education earns on an average $1.50 per day for 300 days in son
The earnings of his life of 40 years. One thousand is a fair average for the annual earnings of an educated man during a period of 40 years. The difference between the $40,000 and the $18,000 or $22,000 reprethe year during a amount to ?18,000.
period
sents the value in future earning power of the time a school. According to these figures the value in future
boy spends in earning power
in school is over $10. "3. Again, the young man who has been brought to understand the writings and views of big men, has a power to enjoy what he reads and hears, for he has power to understand. You may feel of
a
day
history has only to do with the past. Not so. It makes it possible to understand the present and often suggests plans in dealing with to-day's problems. Appreciation of other men and their successes is very necessary to the understanding of what things will succeed to-day. Appreciation means intelligent enjoyment. It pays "4. It pays in earning power to remain in school. that of mind is developed. It pays because of the greater power with in secured dealing organized groups of boys because of training of life. and fullness It pays in richness in It pays and girls. From of character. every point of view it strength and stability pays." that
16
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
Checking After school
up Children.
in the fall every child enrolled the previous If a child can not be found, the fact is reported to the office and the truant officer is called upon to locate him and find out why he is not in school. This method
begins
year must be accounted for.
checks every child who has attended the public schools. In addition to all this our course of study has been undergoing a gradual change which makes it seem more practical to these boys and girls who see but little in Latin, History, Literature, and Mathematics, but who see much practical value in Domestic Science, Manual Training, Printing, Stenography, Typewriting, and Bookkeeping. This change of the course has just begun and it is our hope to place nearly every subject in the course in a new setting so that boys and girls can see that it is worth while to remain to master them.
Gayler,
Superintendent of Schools, Canton,
III.
During the last few years many statistical studies of elimination have been made, all pointing to the fact that a very large percentage of the pupils who enter school drop out before finishing the eight elementary grades, and a still larger percentage never finish the high school. In this discussion we have heard little concerning specific helpful plans to hold children in school. The plans given below were developed in part at several different places but they have been more fully matured and carried out in Canton than in any of and
the other towns.
Large Percentage of Gam
in
Upper Grades.
The following table gives the enrolment of our schools by grades for the month of September for each of the three school years, 1910,
1911, 1912: 1910
1911
1912
First
303
328
346
Second
265
Third
281
257 272
267 260
Fourth
234
309
286
Fifth
223
261
Sixth
165
207 201
Seventh
120
163
165
Eighth High School Shepley
107
120
159
203
255
283
Grades
23 1924
Total
209
(counted above) 2112
2236
This table shows that there has been a gain in the last two years in almost every grade, but that the big gains have been made in the upper grades of the elementary school and in the high school. The average percentage of gain for the whole system during these years has been 16 per cent. The gain in the first six grades has been only 10 per cent, while the gain in the last six grades has been 47.4 per cent. This shows that the high percentage of gain has been in the seventh
(11)
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
12
and eighth grades and in the high school where a very large majority of the children are over fourteen years of age. In two years the gain in the high school has been 39.5 per In the same time the eighth grade has increased 48.6 per cent. cent, the seventh grade 37.5 per cent, and the sixth grade 26.6 per The
cent.
when
they
effort than the
figures indicate that boys and girls above the legal age drop out, are remaining in school, and that a greater ever before is being made to have all the children of all
could
people get
the maximum benefit of the schools.
This does not
problem has been solved, but it does mean that earnest being put forth and that these efforts are in a degree bear-
that the
mean
efforts are ing fruit. We feel that the means used to hold children in school have been helpful but that only a start has been made along this line, and that this work should be given a great deal more attention than it has received in the past. How did this
come
about?
gain come about? In the first place a study of conditions, statistical in its nature, was made and discussed This study brought before in principals' and teachers' meetings. the teaching group, as nothing else could, the actual condition with regard to elimination,?the problem to be solved. For years many How did this
school
have been contented to teach the children who come to school thought about the ones who did not come?the ones who had dropped by the wayside. For years many have not seen of
us
without much
When the the problem of the eliminated child in its seriousness. whole matter was brought before them, the teachers as a body enlisted in the fight to save boys and girls for the upper grades and the high school. The missionary spirit of the teachers of the schools and the personal effort as a result of that spirit has had much to do with results. Elimination due to Failure in Work.
investigation showed that a very large percentage of those dropped out of school were of the class who failed in work. The overgrown boys and girls when held back will be eliminated One of the problems is to prevent failures whenever sooner or later. possible. Attempts at prevention, to be effective, must commence Our
who
the first month of the school year. Within the first two months know should rather the teacher definitely who can carry the work without extra of the grade effort, and who can not do so without some
plan
personal to
attention.
In
questionable
it has been the and in all cases to give cases
give all children the chance to go on help whenever it was possible to do
individual
so.
ELIMINATION.
13
Change of Spirit of School. of the school counts. Formerly in many schools it was considered that a teacher did not do her work well, that her room was not up to standard, unless there were the usual number of failures, varying from one-quarter to one-third of Here is where the
spirit
the class. This has been in a large degree changed, and now we have the understanding that if more than 15 per cent of a class fail there must be something wrong and an investigation must follow. Two months before the end of the school year each teacher makes out a list of probable failures together with the cause of such This list is gone over failures and how each can be prevented. the with the principal of the building, or superintendent of schools, and each individual pupil failing in work is discussed, and if possible some way is found to help him make the grade. Basis
of Promotion.
making promotions on the amount and quality of on this alone, all promotions are made after taking into consideration four points,?age of child, heredity and environment, ability to do the work, amount and quality of work done. After promotions are made, it is the privilege of the superintendent to reconsider any case that may come to him and if in his judgment it is best for the child to be sent to an advanced grade, this action is taken, always however with the definite understanding that he This method of handling assumes all the responsibility for the act. promotions together with the new spirit of the teaching force has greatly reduced the number of failures. In many cases the failures have been reduced to one-third of the number failing in previous At the same time the grades of the children and the quality years. Instead of work done and
of the work done have been raised.
Acquaintance
with
High
School.
A lack of knowledge of what is done in the higher grades and in the high school together with a nervousness about the change from a small ward building to a central school, larger and more complex in its structure, has something to do with elimination. In order to give pupils some idea of the building and the work that is
High School each year entertains all the children in the above the fifth. This is done on an afternoon of a regular grades school day, and the children of the different rooms are brought to the high school building by the regular room teacher. The grades done,
are
the
assembled in the
High School assembly
room, where
they
listen
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
14
consisting of music by the High School Orchestra, Chorus, and the High School Boys' Quartette. Each of the literary societies presents a selection representing the work it does. The principal gives a talk on the work done in the High School, and upon the value of a high school education. One of the ward principals also presents the value of remaining in school. After a short interesting program of this kind, the children accompanied by their teachers and under the direction of high school pupils, are shown through all the different departments of the school. Especial attention is given to the science department, the manual training department, the printing department, the domestic science In each of these departroom, and the commercial department. In this ments students are at work illustrating the things done. the children become and visited are somewhat all departments way acquainted with the work offered. Probably for the first time they have had the opportunity of going through the building and becoming familiar with it. Whenever possible these same boys and girls with their parents are invited to a basket-ball game at night. The high school gymnasium and the high school grounds should be the to
the
a
program
High
School
center of school athletic activities so that the children will get the habit of coming there. All of this has its effect in holding children in school. Talks about Value
of Remaining.
Before the close of school in the to talk to the children
spring
each teacher is asked
the value of
remaining in school. She encourages the children to talk about the school and gets all the reasons why they can not or will not remain in school. This free discussion sometimes brings out criticisms of the school which concerning
vital and which should be considered by the teachers. The superintendent visits many of the rooms and talks on the same subject, explaining and emphasizing the work of the upper grades and the high school. These personal talks instruct children and parents as to the advantages offered and they also show the value of many things not clearly understood before. Our experience is that our plan is worth all the time and energy it takes and that it has a tendency to stop elimination. are
Letters
During
the month of
sent to Individuals.
August just before school commences a Pay to Attend School?" is mailed to eighth grade pupil enrolled the previous
little leaflet entitled "Does It every
sixth, seventh,
and
ELIMINATION.
15
It is also sent to many high school pupils. This is a direct cases there is no doubt that it has accomplished brings home to pupils the value of an education in dollars and cents as well as the value of an education from the standpoint of an intellectual life. In order to convey some idea of the contents of the year.
appeal good.
I
am
and in many This leaflet
giving
below four short selected
paragraphs
from it:
leaflet,
"1. Are you thinking of continuing at work and of staying out of school? Do you realize that only the weightiest of reasons Never has individual training should cause one to leave school? been so important, and sacrifice so wise a course to follow, as to-day. line of work is calling for men with power to think. Conditions of life make it necessary to choose wisely what you do and whom you follow. "2. Statistics show that a young person having a high school education has many times as many chances for success as the per-
Every
The financial value of an education without that training. has been estimated in the following way: A day laborer without an education earns on an average $1.50 per day for 300 days in son
The earnings of his life of 40 years. One thousand is a fair average for the annual earnings of an educated man during a period of 40 years. The difference between the $40,000 and the $18,000 or $22,000 reprethe year during a amount to ?18,000.
period
sents the value in future earning power of the time a school. According to these figures the value in future
boy spends in earning power
in school is over $10. "3. Again, the young man who has been brought to understand the writings and views of big men, has a power to enjoy what he reads and hears, for he has power to understand. You may feel of
a
day
history has only to do with the past. Not so. It makes it possible to understand the present and often suggests plans in dealing with to-day's problems. Appreciation of other men and their successes is very necessary to the understanding of what things will succeed to-day. Appreciation means intelligent enjoyment. It pays "4. It pays in earning power to remain in school. that of mind is developed. It pays because of the greater power with in secured dealing organized groups of boys because of training of life. and fullness It pays in richness in It pays and girls. From of character. every point of view it strength and stability pays." that
16
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
Checking After school
up Children.
in the fall every child enrolled the previous If a child can not be found, the fact is reported to the office and the truant officer is called upon to locate him and find out why he is not in school. This method
begins
year must be accounted for.
checks every child who has attended the public schools. In addition to all this our course of study has been undergoing a gradual change which makes it seem more practical to these boys and girls who see but little in Latin, History, Literature, and Mathematics, but who see much practical value in Domestic Science, Manual Training, Printing, Stenography, Typewriting, and Bookkeeping. This change of the course has just begun and it is our hope to place nearly every subject in the course in a new setting so that boys and girls can see that it is worth while to remain to master them.
