SCHOOL GRADING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 302, 17 September 1936, Page 12

SCHOOL GRADING

Reform For 1937 AVERAGE ROLL NUMBER A communication from the Director of Education, Mr. N. T. Lambourne, advising a reform in the system of grading of schools for 1937 was received with satisfaction by members of the Wellington Education Board at its meeting yesterday. “The question has been raised by some boards as to the basis on which schools will be graded on February 1, 1937,” Mr, Lambourne’g letter stated, “and I have now to advise you that for 1937 schools are to be graded on 95 per cent, of the average roll number for the period beginning on September 7 and ending on October 2, 1936. The average is to be computed by dividing the sum of the roll numbers for every day on which the school is open by the mimber of such days. If a school is open for only half of any day such half-day is to be counted as a whole day for the purpose of this average. “A regulation to cover this departure from the standing regulation will shortly be prepared, but in order that you may take the necessary steps for obtaining the information promptly, I am now advising you of the decision. The period taken will allow of the information being obtained in time to make the necessary arrangements for any changes of staff from the beginning of the year.” “This is something we have been seeking for many years,” said the chairman, Mr. W. V. Dyer. “We have always been up against basing the figures on average attendance, and I think we should congratulate the Minister .on this reform.”

Other members supported Mr. Dyer’s remarks, and a motion thanking the Minister was carried unanimously.