Fifth: The varying
degree of ability and preparation on the part of your pupils makes it necessary
that they should be separated into small groups if they are to be taught effectively.
Your pupils come to you at the age of fourteen from different grades of the
public schools, fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, etc. It is impossible
to put pupils of such widely different preparation in the same class. You
cannot separate them into groups for purposes of instruction without having
an additional teacher.
Sixth: It is apparent to one who has studied the conditions under which the
schoolwork is being conducted at the present time that a drawing room is not
a satisfactory place in which to give all kinds of instruction. It is impossible
for pupils to pass readily through the room. The drawing boards interfere
with other kinds of study. Another room is needed, and with another room,
of course, another instructor.
Seventh: There is a very serious doubt as to whether it is best for the physical
welfare of pupils and whether on the whole it is conductive to the best discipline
for pupils to be confined for too many hours in one room under the same instructor.
We who are grown people shrink from the idea of being seated in one position
for a period of four or five hours dealing with one man in a business transaction.
The same thing is probably true of these boys.
The Beverly Industrial School still continues to be one of the most important
factors in the educational prosperity of our city. The work accomplished by
it is highly practical, and designed not only to help pupils in the affairs
of every life but also so to help in training them to become efficient workmen
and useful citizens.
The widespread interest in the school, the material success already achieved,
and the possibilities of this particular plan of industrial education warrant
your support, and an increased appropriation.
Certain statistical information concerning the school is appended for reference.
Yours respectfully,
R. O. SMALL, Secretary.
(From September 1910 to December 31, 1910.)
There are three teachers of the two divisions into which the school is divided,
two of whom are skilled machinist- instructors, and the third is a skilled
instructor from the High School. The average age of pupils of the Industrial
School is fifteen Years. The oldest is nineteen, and the youngest, fourteen
years of age.
The grade standing in the public schools from which the pupils entered was
as follows: one from grade four; four from grade six; eleven from grade seven;
twenty seven from grade eight; thirteen from grade nine, and four from
grade ten.
Thirteen pupils have not been absent, and seven nave been absent but once.
The whole number of pupils in the school is sixty. The average membership
is fifty-seven. The average attendance is fifty-five.