EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18249, 16 November 1922, Page 9

EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

FEATURES OF THE SYSTEM. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT. An interesting address on educational matters having special interest to members of school committees was delivered last evening by Mr. T. U. Wells at the meeting of the Primary Schools' Committees' Association.' Mr. Wells stated that there was no such thing in Canada or the- United States as a national svstem of education. Each State or province was very largely a law unto itself. A board of trustees, which corresponded more to the school committees in New Zealand rather than to the Education Board, had the control of education in America. Working conditions, however, were very fine. He had not seen a dual desk, while there was never less than 18 square feet allowed each scholar. The average number of each class was about 40. The general information of the average New Zealand scholar compared verv favourably with .those in America, while for thoroughness of the teaching we had very little to learn from the schools in America. He felt, however, that the results in New Zealand were gained very largely at the expense of the teacher, especially the lady teachers. An interesting point was that the flag •was saluted every morning, while the children were taught to feel that they belonged to America. The American creed was also recited daily. Paid organisers of games were appointed and paid by the city authorities. They were coming to recognise in America the great value of organised play for the growing boys and girls. Great praise for the consolidated school in America was given by Mr. Wells. These have in many places replaced the numerous small country schools, the children from surrounding districts being conveyed very often in motor vehicles. The community spirit was being larcelv introduced into educational matters in America.

Mr. Wells said he had inspected schools in America where the three types were in force, the primary, the junior high school, and the high school proper, also schools where the two systems were in vogue; but it was found that the best results were obtained where the junior high school svstem alone was conducted at the one school. The scholar had the benefit of a specialist in each subject, while it was common knowledge that very frequently in the secondary schools the pupil was under the tuition of one who was scarcely the best adapted to teach a child fresh from a primary school. The junior high school was giving splendid results in America.