only from the forenoon division, and the afternoon scholars of one term become the forenoon scholars of the next.

"Since we must judge of the quality of the work in this grade, as in any other, by the number of children promoted, it would appear that nothing is really gained by these half-day classes."

Circumstances have forced the use of half-day schools in Atlanta, Ga., for several years. The superintendent, Mr. W. F. Slaton, has steadily opposed their continuance, and embodies the following in his report for 1887-88:

"The double grades taught in the Marietta and in the Summer Hill schools were abolished in September. They are still retained in Fair, Mitchell, and Houston street schools. It is true that about one hundred and eighty children are seated by this method who would otherwise be deprived of school privileges. But there are many objections to the plan of doubling the grades, among which Mr. Moore, of Fair street school, in his annual report, names the following:

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(1) The plan necessarily shortens the time of both divisions of first grade for one and a half hours daily during a greater proportion of the year. Therefore, it cannot reasonably be expected that these classes will make equal advancement with those classes which are in session full time.

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"(2) The dismissal of one class while the other portion of the school is in session, to occupy the same room, must necessarily create some disorder. Many of the children attending these classes are very young and live at a distance from the school. Such require some protection while on their way to and from school-at least many parents think so and this protection might be sufficiently afforded by older brothers or sisters of the higher grades, could they assemble or be dismissed at the same time.

"(3) The present management divides the responsibility of both teachers and pupils of these classes with regard to care of furniture and property of the school. When damage has been done it is difficult to discover the culprit or hold him responsible.

(4) Many parents send their children to the afternoon school under protest, and ask that they be changed as soon as a vacancy occurs in the morning class. This is objectionable, for the reason that so many desire seats in the morning school, that to decide in favor of one is regarded as favoritism by other applicants, and as a continual removal of children from the afternoon to the morning class, thereby causing vacancies which must be filled by new and untrained pupils, if filled at all, is a manifest injustice to the teacher of the afternoon school.'

"I heartily endorse these objections of Mr. Moore, and hope that at an early day a sufficient number of seats for all the children will be supplied, and the plan of doubling the grades be abolished."

The experience of the Los Angeles, Cal., schools is thus told: "At the close of last school year we were conducting, for want of room, eighteen double sessions, that is, two schools taught for half-day each by one teacher. This was unsatisfactory. Pupils in these schools could not do the same work as those who had all day sessions. Teachers

often overwork themselves to get these schools, for the additional salary. The board (your predecessors) therefore resolved to employ a separate teacher for each school and to extend the time for half-day schools to four hours; or from 8.30 a. m. to 12.30 p. m. for morning schools and 1 p. m. to 5 p. m. for afternoon schools. This plan is much more satisfactory.

"Children under eight years of age are allowed by State law to be in school only four hours daily. It is believed that the older pupils can do some studying at home. Therefore, whatever half-day schools were necessary they have been given, if possible, to the higher and lower grades."

Favorable opinions.-The following extracts present the other side of the question: "Our primary grades that attend school but one session a day continue to do satisfactory work; and the advantages derived by the small children from the short period of confinement in the school-room and the increase of time for recreation and outdoor exercise warrant the continuance of the plan. Three hours of school-room restraint and discipline is all that should be required of the average child during the first two years in school. More than this in many instances often proves a detriment, and not infrequently results in permanent injury to many children." [Superintendent E. Stanley, Lawrence, Kans.]

"Children of five years of age cannot profitably be taught more than three hours a day, and the instruction should be in the kindergarten. Fortunately for the little ones and for our educational system, necessity has driven us to the proper pedagogical position in this matter, for the crowded condition of most of our schools has made it necessary to divide the lowest classes into two sections, each to attend a half-day, and the instruction consists mainly of kindergarten work." [Superintendent Clarence E. Meleney, Paterson, N. J.]

"The plan of having pupils in the first primary rooms attend school during the fall

and spring months but half the day has worked well. In many cities this plan is in force and is found to be favorable for the young pupils, and at the same time economical. The large influx of little ones in the fall fills up the rooms to a crowded condition. The storms of winter cause large numbers to be dropped. These remain absent till pleasant weather in spring, thus making light schools in the winter months, if advancements had been made to provide seats for all on entering the school. The continuance of the plan is recommended." [Superintendent O. C. Scott, Oskaloosa, Iowa.]

"Hereafter, the pupils of the first year will attend but half a day instead of all day as heretofore. This change was recommended not in the interest of economy alone, but in the belief that the children can accomplish all the work usually required of them by the 'half-day plan,' and, furthermore, that it is a physical injury to the children to keep them confined in the school-room six hours per day." [Superintendent F. M. Draper, Atchison, Kans.]

PROMOTIONS.

The wide-spread interest in the subject of promotions has led to the compilation of the following description of the methods of determining the classification of pupils in the largest cities of the country. Those of the first and second classes (or claiming a population of more than 100,000) have been selected, as they, in theory if not in fact, command the services of the most competent and best equipped of the teachers' profession and presumably employ the most approved methods in all branches of school work. San Francisco, Cal.-Yearly written examinations have been dispensed with and all promotions are made by the principals and class teachers, subject to appeal to the superintendent on the part of parents dissatisfied with the non-promotion of their children. Washington, D. C.-"Pupils are promoted from grade to grade below the high school, and from the grammar schools to the high school, on the recommendation of the teacher and the approval of the supervising principal in charge." Examinations have no refer

ence to promotion.

Chicago, Ill.-"In primary and grammar grades promotions are made by the principal, with or without special examination, in his discretion. From the grammar to the high schools pupils pass on recommendation of the grammar principal. The superintendent holds a supplementary examination for those not recommended. Classes in the high schools pass in course, unless some individual pupils have shown themselves unequal to the work."

Indianapolis, Ind.-"Pupils are promoted twice each year. They are examined upon printed questions originating with the superintendent of schools. All who pass a creditable examination upon these questions are promoted without further question. All pupils who fall low in per cents., but whose daily work has been satisfactory to the teacher in charge, and to the supervisor in immediate charge of said teacher and pupils, are passed upon the recommendation of those two persons-the greater stress being placed upon the teacher's estimate as being the more definite and intimate. All pupils who fall low in per cents., and who are not recommended by their teachers, are 'demoted,' and must repeat the half-year's work."

Louisville, Ky.-In the district or elementary schools: "The teachers of the several grades make and record monthly an estimate of each pupil's progress. These estimates are based on the success with which the pupils perform assigned work in each subject prescribed in the course of study, and also on the fidelity with which they discharge all their school obligations, including diligence in study, regularity and punctuality in attendance, proper deportment in the school-room and about the school premises, and neatness and cleanliness of person. For this purpose the scale of 1 to 6 is used, the number 1 denoting very bad; 2, bad; 3, indifferent; 4, good; 5, excellent; and 6, without fault. "The principals of the district schools from time to time subject the pupils of the several grades to such tests, both oral and written, as will indicate their proficiency and progress. They examine and, when necessary, revise the monthly estimates of the teachers.

"Pupils whose standing, based on the monthly estimates of the teachers, approved by the principal, is not less than 4 in each subject prescribed in the course of study, and in fidelity in the discharge of school obligations, are promoted at the close of the year to the next higher grades and to the high schools, without examination.

"The fitness for promotion of pupils not entitled to pass on the monthly estimates is determined by an examination conducted as follows: The pupils of the first [highest] grades are examined by the faculties of the male and the female high schools, in the high school buildings; those of the other grades by the teachers of the next higher grades; the questions to be prepared by the superintendent and a committee of principals, viz: three principals of intermediate schools and four principals of secondary schools, appointed by him. An average of not less than 4 in each subject is required to pass.' In the high schools: "There are annually two written examinations of all classes;

the first is held during the last week of January, and the second during the month of June. The results of these examinations, together with the deportment, constitute the data according to which the members of the faculty make up their estimates of the students. The first examination of the first-year class is considered a trial examination; all students who fail to secure at least 4 in each subject of the first-year course are dropped from the class. No student whose combined written average for the year is less than 4 in each subject may be promoted to the next class, or receive a certificate of graduation; nor may any student whose average is less than 4 in more than one subject be re-examined for promotion."

New Orleans, La.-"Graded questions are proposed by the superintendent, and the examinations are, as a rule, under the immediate supervision of the teachers who are to receive the promoted pupils. In the grammar and primary departments the yearly record of each pupil is allowed to have its due weight in determining the question of his promotion; but in the examination for admission to the high school it is not taken into account, except in determining the question of his admission to the examinations." Baltimore, Md.-The examination system appears to be in use, with the following modification relating to examinations for admission to the high schools and college: "The questions to be prepared by the superintendent, and the examinations conducted by the principals of the several grammar schools. All the pupils of the eighth grade shall be examined, and those who fail to pass, but who are nevertheless considered qualified for promotion by the principals, shall be sent to the committees on the college and high schools, respectively, for final action."

In the elementary grades: "The examinations for promotion are annual, but the principals of the schools are authorized to advance, at any time during the year, any pupils who exhibit exceptional intelligence, and who may be able to pursue the studies of the higher grades."

In the Eastern Female High School: "Yearly promotions from grade to grade are made by combining the work of the class-room with the results of the semi-annual examinations, the requirement being a special average of 60 and a general average of 70.”

Boston, Mass.-Promotions are made semi-annually. Principals are responsible for promotions from one grade to another in their own schools, but the questions for the examinations for promotion from the primary to the grammar schools, and from the grammar to the high schools, are prepared by the supervising officers. Pupils over ten years of age are generally promoted from the primary schools, even if they fail on examination. The instructor's record of the pupil's work for the year is also a factor in determining promotions. Changes of grade not involving promotion to a higher department may be made any Monday during the year upon the authority of the principal. Detroit, Mich.-Promotions occur twice in each year. Formal examinations, uniform for the whole city, are made at only two points in the course-on entering the grammar department and on entering the high school. Questions for these examinations are issued from the office of the superintendent. The principals are responsible for all other promotions, and are at liberty to employ such methods as they think advisable. Their usual method is the examination. Individual promotions are allowed, and are of frequent occurrence. The results of the examination for admission to the high school are rigidly adhered to; but, at the discretion of the superintendent, pupils who have passed through the primary school may be admitted to the grammar school even if they fail at the entrance examination.

Minneapolis, Minn.-"No pupil shall be admitted to the high school who has not passed a satisfactory examination in the branches taught in the grammar school. If at the end of the first or any term, he does not maintain a fair position in the classes, he may be reduced to the proper grade. Nor shall he pass from a lower to a higher class except upon a satisfactory examination.

"Before passing from one grade to another, pupils must sustain a satisfactory examination in their previous studies under the direction of the superintendent.

"In the fourth grade an average per cent. of 65, including term examinations, shall be required; in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades, 70 per cent., including term examinations; and for admission to the high school a general average of 75 per cent., including term examinations, unless otherwise ordered by the superintendent.

"Classes in the high school, grammar, and intermediate grades shall twice a year be subject to a written examination; and any pupil in the high school and grammar grade whose average per cent. shall be below 75 during two successive term examinations, and any pupil in the intermediate grade whose average per cent. shall be below 70 for two successive term examinations, shall be reported to the principal for assignment to a lower class."

St. Paul, Minn.-Before passing from one grade to another, pupils must sustain a satisfactory examination in their previous studies, under the direction of the superintendent. For admission to the fourth grade an average per cent. of 65 is required, with a min

imum of 45 per cent. in each study; for the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, 70 per cent., with a minimum of 60 per cent. in each study; and for admission to the high school, 65 per cent. in each study, with a general average of 75 per cent. Pupils must stand 70 per cent. in a test examination in each topic in arithmetic before passing to the next. No written examinations are held for promotion of pupils below the A class of the third grade. In the first and second grades, individual or class promotions may be made at any time or on recommendation of the principal, and after a satisfactory examination by the superintendent. In all other classes the pupils are subjected to a written examination every eighteen weeks; an average per cent. below 50 in the intermediate grades, or below 60 in the higher grades, is accepted as evidence of the pupil's inability to pursue the studies of his grade sufficient to warrant his reduction to a lower class. Individual promotions may be made by principals of the grammar and intermediate schools at any time.

Kansas City, Mo.-Each grade of the course of the ward, or elementary, schools is divided into three sections of twelve weeks each; and the pupils of each grade are divided into three classes who pursue the studies of the three sections respectively. Promotions are ordinarily made at the end of every twelve weeks, and are based upon daily work and written examinations, but never upon "final examinations." The daily work counts four-fifths, and the written examinations one-fifth in all general promotions. Written examinations are commenced in the first year. Pupils are promoted individually whenever they can do the work of the more advanced class.

St. Louis, Mo.-"All promotions in the district [elementary] schools are made by the principals of the schools, upon the results of oral and written examinations together with the daily work of the pupils. For admission to the high school a written examination upon questions from the office of the superintendent was formerly required; but now all applicants from the district schools whom the principals recommend as being in their judgment qualified to do the work of the high school are admitted without examination. Pupils whom the principals cannot recommend after passing through all the grades of the district schools, are given an examination by the principal of the high school. Very few of these, however, pass the required examination."

In the high school: Promotions are determined by the record of the pupils' class work combined with the results of the semi-annual examinations. In each study three percentages, one for each of the preceding quarter's recitations, and one for the final examination, are averaged, and a minimum of 65 per cent. in each study and a general average of 70 per cent. in all studies are required. For graduation a higher average is required, viz: 70 per cent. in each study, and 75 per cent. for all studies, the marks for the last two quarters of the course combined with that of the final examination.

Jersey City, N. J.—In the high school promotions are made annually. The examination for admission must be in writing. It occurs annually, and is conducted by the principal and teachers of the high school under the supervision of the superintendent and committee on high schools. There is a semi-annual and an annual examination each year. The superintendent, principal, and committee on high schools fix a standard for all examinations, both for admission and promotion, and pupils failing to reach the required standard are assigned to the next lower class or, if members of the lowest class, to the grammar schools.

In the grammar and primary schools promotions are made semi-annually, and not oftener, except by the written consent of the superintendent. In addition to the semiannual written examinations, and immediately preceding their occurrence, the superintendent and principals carefully inspect all the classes and record their condition in books kept for that purpose. Reductions in grade may be made at the discretion of the superintendent.

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Newark, N. J.-Examinations are held at least twice in each year under the direction of the committee on examinations, with the superintendent. An examination for promotion and graduation is held in all the schools during the month of June in each under the direction of the committee on examinations, with the superintendent; and all grades, from the first primary to the first grammar, inclusive, are examined in the same manner and under uniform regulations. In conducting and ascertaining the results of any examination, the city superintendent may require the aid of such teachers as may be needed.

Brooklyn, N. Y.-Semi-annual examinations, promotions, and graduations are the rule. The superintendent may at his option prepare the questions for the examinations of all the grammar grades, but he must prepare those for the graduation examinations. Promotion of pupils is based solely on the record of scholarship for the term and at examination combined.

Buffalo, N. Y.-No pupil may be transferred from one grade to another higher, except after examination. At the end of the first term in each year, the teacher of each grade must present for examination such pupils of that grade as shall, in his or her judgment,

possess the requisite qualifications to enter the next grade above, and during the last two weeks of the second term in the year, all the pupils of each grade are examined, and those who are found qualified are promoted to the grade above. The principal of the school conducts these examinations under the direction of the superintendent, whose decisions as to promotion are final.

New York, N. Y.-To be graduated from the grammar schools, pupils must pursue the studies of the highest grammar grade for one year and pass in those studies an examination satisfactory to the principal of the school. Candidates for admission to the Normal College or the College of the City of New York must pass an examination conducted by and satisfactory to the faculty of the institution to which entrance is desired. Promotions are made from the primary to the grammar schools semi-annually, and not oftener, except by written permission of the city superintendent. No pupil may be promoted from any primary school unless examined in all the studies of the highest grade of the primary school, and found qualified by the principal of the department into which the promotion is to be made.

In the grammar grades, every examination for promotion to a higher grade is preceded by a thorough review of all the studies of the grade from which the promotion is to be made. The principals examine all their classes in the prescribed branches of study at least twice a year, namely, immediately before each regular promotion.

The students of the College of the City of New York are subjected to two examinations each year. The first is oral, and occurs in January; the second is mainly in writing and takes place at the close of the second term, in June. The results of these tests are carefully considered by the faculty, who decide upon the question of the advancement of each student. Both oral and written examinations are conducted in the Normal College also.

Rochester, N. Y.-The promotion of pupils in each of the three lowest grades depends upon the judgment of the principal and grade teacher. In the higher grades, examinations principally are relied upon.

Cincinnati, Ohio.-"(1) There shall be no stated examination for the promotion of pupils in the several grades of the district and intermediate schools, but the pupils in these grades shall be promoted and classified primarily on their proficiency in the several branches of the course, as shown by the teachers' estimates of their daily work. A satisfactory standing in daily work, with good deportment, shall be accepted as evidence of the ability of pupils to do successfully the work of the next higher grade.

(2) It shall be the duty of the teachers in F, E, D, C, B, and A (not in grades H and G) to make and record monthly a careful estimate of each pupil's work in the several branches for the month, and to average these recorded estimates twice a year-in February and in June. These estimates are to be based on the fidelity and success with which pupils do assigned work, and also on their success in meeting the various oral and written tests which are employed as an element of teaching, and they are to be made by teachers without the daily marking of pupils and without the use of monthly or other stated examinations for this purpose.

"These estimates of the daily success and progress of pupils are to be made on the scale of 1 to 10, the number 4 and below denoting very poor work, 5 poor, 6 tolerable, 7 good, 8 very good, 9 excellent, and 10 perfect. In recording these estimates the initial letters may be used, or, if preferred, figures, as follows: Perfect, Pr. or 10; excellent, E or 9; very good, G or 8; good, G or 7; tolerable, T or 6; poor, P or 5; very poor, P or 4. Any standing below P or 4 may be recorded as a failure (F or 3 to 0). It is suggested that the standing of pupils be primarily estimated as excellent, good, or poor and then modified, provided the higher and lower estimates can be readily made. The proficiency of pupils in writing, drawing, and music may be estimated on the above scale twice a year-in February and June.

"(3) It shall be the duty of principals to subject the pupils in the several grades, from time to time as they advance in the course, to such oral and written tests as will indicate their proficiency and progress, and be helpful to teachers and pupils, and to this end, the year's course in the several branches may be conveniently subdivided and special reviews and other tests be instituted as the classes advance from one subdivision to another. The tests in grades H and G should be chiefly oral, the exceptions being the tests of written exercises, and in all the lower grades written tests should not be employed to determine the results of oral instruction outlined in the syllabus, or to test skill in the several school arts.

"It shall also be the duty of principals to examine, and, when necessary, revise the teachers' monthly estimates of their pupils' proficiency, and to approve of the same when averaged in February and in June. They shall give teachers such instruction and other assistance in estimating the proficiency and progress of their pupils as will secure requisite uniformity.

"(4) At the close of each school year the pupils in grades F, E, and D, of the district