M. C.

NOTE.

This chronology originally was prepared for the Boston Finance Commission by George A. O. Ernst to assist in the preparation by the commission of its report upon the Boston Public Schools.

It contains a reference to all statutes, whether general or special, which affect the Boston schools; and to a variety of matters which show how the schools have developed. It goes into greater detail as to the work of the last six years than as to that of the early years because the present situation in the schools is the real purpose of the study, and the past is chiefly of value as it explains the present. Enough, however, is given to show the line of growth and the fact that there is hardly one of the great accomplishments of the present which has not proved its worth through a long persistent struggle.

Thus the unification of the school system, foreshadowed in 1830 by Chief Justice Shaw in his attempt to do away with the grotesque "double headed system"; urged by Horace Mann soon after the establishment of the State Board of Education in 1837; bitterly resisted. for many years by members of the School Committee, of the Primary School Committee and of the teaching force, is now almost universally accepted, and even its critics would be unwilling to go back to the old days of decentralization.

Many subjects opposed at first as fads, frills and fancies have through their worth obtained permanent places in the school system. Drawing, "permitted" in 1827, an "ornamental branch" in 1848, "compulsory" in 1870, is the foundation stone of our industrial schools. Sewing was taught as early as 1818, but in 1876 an opinion was obtained from the City Solicitor that spending the city's money for the purpose was illegal.

305763

It, however, met such a popular need that it was at once legalized by the Legislature. Physical training, first recognized officially in 1833, has had to fight its way to full recognition, and in some of its forms is still regarded as a "fad" or "frill."

The much discussed change from nine to eight grades in the elementary schools has sometimes been said to have been imported from a western city together with the present superintendent. As a matter of fact it had been favorably considered much earlier. In 1894 the experiment of parallel courses of seven and nine years (four and six years in the grammar schools) was tried. In 1900, two years before the present superintendent came to Boston as a supervisor, the School Committee, after a careful report and upon the favorable recommendation of the Board of Supervisors, instructed that Board to prepare a revised course of study providing for eight grades instead of nine. It was, however, not adopted until 1906.

The great wrong to teachers and pupils of excessively large classes has long been felt. In 1880 (when the standard class was 56) it was pointed out that there were sometimes 70 pupils in a class, and the duty of the School Committee to reduce the number was forcibly urged; but not until 1900 (a delay of 20 years) was the standard reduced from 56 to 50. In 1906 this vital problem was taken up seriously, and the quota of pupils to teachers has since been steadily reduced to 44, and there are plans for a further reduction.

These are typical instances of what may be found in the chronology, and show the purpose for which it was made, and the manner in which it is to be used.

A CHRONOLOGY OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Abbreviations: W. A.— Wightman's Annals of the Primary Schools. S. D.-School Document. S. M.-School Minutes.

1635.- Latin School, for boys only, established as the first public school in Boston. This was a year before the foundation of Harvard College and more than three years before that institution was opened. (S. D. 3 of 1905, p. 56.) It is probable that the elementary as well as the higher branches of education were taught, but its main purpose soon became the fitting of young men for college. (W. A., p. 1; S. D. 18 of 1888, p. 52; S. D. 3 of 1903, p. 9.)

1641. The town voted that "Deare Island shall be improoved for the maintanance of a Free Schoole for the Towne" and in 1649 Long and Spectacle Islands were leased, the rental to be for the use of the school. (W. A., p. 2.)

1642. Selectmen required by law to "have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors; to see that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families as not to endeavor to teach their children and apprentices so much learning as may enable them perfectly to read the English tongue and obtain a knowledge of the capital laws." (Laws and Liberties, p. 16; S. D. 25 of 1880, p. 3.)

1647.- Every township of 50 householders required to appoint a teacher of children "to write and read," and of 100 householders to "set up a grammar schoole the master thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fitted for the university." (S. D. 25 of 1880, p. 4.)

1682. Schools established under vote at town meeting held December 18, 1682, "for the teachinge of children to write and Cypher" under writing masters (S. D. 18 of 1888, p. 34), open to boys only; "the beginning of the common schools in Boston." (S. D. 3 of 1903, p. 14.)

1683.- Every town of 500 families or householders required to "set up and maintain two grammar schools and two writing schools." (Colonial Laws, p. 305.)

1692.- Province Laws require towns of 50 householders to provide "a schoolmaster to teach children and youth to read and write," and of 100 householders a grammar school to be conducted by a "discreet person of good conversation well instructed in the tongues." (Prov. Laws, 1692-93, Chap. 26.)

1701.- Grammar masters to be approved by ministers by certificate under their hands. (Prov. Laws 1701-2, Chap. 10.)