Page images
PDF
EPUB

was instituted by persons wholly in the interest of the parties who had furnished the McGuffey's Readers to our State since the year eighteen hundred and seventy, and decided upon a technicality which appears to have been created by a person desiring to prevent the change ordered by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education were men of superior ability as educators, and were perfectly competent to judge as to the relative merits of the McGuffey's Readers and the Pacific Coast Readers, and they unqualifiedly declared the latter superior as to contents, and in all other respects the equal of the McGuffey Readers. Yet the technical objection, that proper notice had not been given, by one who was manifestly the agent of those who had furnished the McGuffey's Readers, was sufficient to prevent the change of text-books as ordered by the State Board of Education; and Bancroft & Co. were made to suffer, when a fulfillment of their contract and a protection of their interest would have been of wonderful benefit to the public schools of this State.

In view of these facts, the committee believe that the interest of its citizens can be protected, the good faith of the State preserved, money saved to the children of the State, and our public schools greatly benefited by the passage of Senate Bill No. 51.

As to the policy of a change of text-books, the committee has given that subject due consideration, and has obtained all the information possible, that the Legislature may act wisely in the determination of a question of the greatest importance.

Unwilling to trust our own judgment, and fully conscious of the fact that only professional educators are competent to give reliable. opinions upon the educational merits of the two competing series of readers, to wit, The Pacific Coast Readers and McGuffey's Readers, the committee addressed the following letter, accompanied by a copy of Senate Bill No. 51, to a number of gentlemen of this State, eminent for their learning, celebrated as teachers, possessing the confidence of the people, and who have given their opinions solely with a view of benefiting the public schools:

SENATE CHAMBER, SACRAMENTO, December 21st, 1877.

DEAR SIR: The Senate Committee on Education having before them for consideration the inclosed bill relative to the adoption of the Pacific Coast Readers, have unanimously agreed to ask the opinions of a few of the leading educators of the State as to the comparative merits of the McGuffey Readers and the Pacific Coast Readers, and whether the interests of the public schools would be promoted by the proposed change.

As Chairman of the Committee on Education, I beg leave to request that you will give us the benefit of your views, by letter, as early as January first, eighteen hundred and seventy-eight. Please state in your letter your past and present connection with education.

[blocks in formation]

HON. E. J. LEWIS:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Office Secretary Board of Education,
No. 22 (2d floor), City Hall,
SAN FRANCISco, December 22d, 1877.

DEAR SIR: I have no hesitancy in recommending the Bancroft series as superior to McGuffey's. I used the McGuffey Readers when I was teaching a country school in Sutter County, in eighteen hundred and sixty-two. I taught in the Marysville schools from eighteen hundred and sixty-two to eighteen hundred and sixty-five; was Principal of a Grammar School in East Oakland in the fall of eighteen hundred and sixty-five. Since eighteen hundred and sixty-six I have been teacher of Latin and Greek in the Boys' High School of this city. I have examined the Bancroft series with some care quite recently. While I am not prepared to say that they are better than any Eastern series for I have not critically examined the Franklin and other highly recommended readers-I am convinced that they are much better than McGuffey's.

Respectfully,

A. L. MANN, Superintendent Schools.

PLEASANTON, CAL., December 22d, 1877.

HON. E. J. LEWIS, Sacramento:

DEAR SIR: Yours of twenty-first is at hand. In reply I would state that I have used the "McGuffey Readers" ever since their introduction into the schools of California; and some time ago I procured copies of the "Pacific Coast Readers" in order to canvass the merits of the two series; and, after critical examination, I unhesitatingly state that, in my judgment, the Pacific Coast Series is very much superior to McGuffey's, in subject matter, arrangement, and conformation to our present progressive method of teaching. I conscientiously believe that the interests of our public schools would be greatly promoted by the introduction of the Pacific Coast Readers.

I have taught school twelve years-four in Eastern High Schools and eight in the public schools of California. Very respectfully,

HON. E. J. LEWIS:

J. C. GILSON, Superintendent elect, Alameda County.

SAN FRANCISCO, December 23d, 1877.

DEAR SIR: Your favor of the twenty-first instant was duly received, and in reply I have to state that I am strongly in favor of the proposed change of Readers. I have carefully examined the Pacific Coast Readers, and regard them far superior to McGuffey's Readers, both in regard to matter and mechanical execution. The

entire series of the Pacific Coast Readers are more interesting and are better adapted to the comprehension of the youthful mind than the series now in use. The lessons are better illustrated with interesting and instructive cuts of objects familiar to young children. Some of the lessons are printed in script in the Pacific Coast Readers which is a great improvement over anything which I have ever used. By means of these lessons the pupil is taught to read ordinary letter writing as easily as he can read print.

The First and Second Readers of the Pacific Coast Readers are specially prepared with reference to teaching reading, according to the word method, which is the system adopted by the best educators of the present day. These Readers have been introduced into the different departments of the State Normal Schools, and, as a Trustee of that Institution, I take pleasure in testifying to the entire satisfaction which they have given to both teachers and pupils.

In conclusion I would say that the contemplated change of Readers would promote the best interests of the public schools. It is a change demanded by almost the unanimous voice of the teachers. and friends of education in the State.

During the last few years I have visited several Teachers' Institutes where the subject of a change of Readers has been discussed, and among all the teachers attending these Institutes I have met only one who is not in favor of changing McGuffey's Readers.

[blocks in formation]

MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the twenty-first is before me, and I hasten to reply.

After a careful and extended examination of the books you refer to, I am decidedly in favor of the Pacific Coast Series of Readers, for the following reasons:

1st. The Pacific Coast Series is prepared with reference to the latest methods of teaching reading, while the McGuffey Series is twelve years behind the age in this respect.

2d. The selections in the Pacific Coast Series are of a wider range, and contain some of the best specimens of the more recent literature, while the McGuffey Series contain a less variety of reading matter, and only the time-worn selections of an old date.

3d. The Pacific Coast Series contain the most advanced theories on all scientific subjects discussed within its pages; while most of the articles in the McGuffey Series on scientific questions are the merest nonsense.

4th. The "Instructions to Teachers" in the Pacific Coast Series are far superior to those of the McGuffey Series.

5th. The Pacific Coast Series are cheaper than the McGuffey Series.

6th. The publication of the Pacific Coast Series is a home enterprise, and therefore the fostering care of the State.

7th. As the Pacific Coast Series is to be introduced on a basis of even exchange, thereby costing the parents nothing for introduction, it seems to me that the best interests of the public schools demand that they be introduced in place of the McGuffey Series. At your request, I will state that for three years I was Principal of the Reed Street Grammar School, San José, and member of the State Board of Education for two years. Afterwards, City Superintendent of Schools for San José, until elected to my present position, Principal of the San José High School. J. G. KENNEDY.

[graphic]

HON. E. J. LEWIS:

Respectfully,

SACRAMENTO, December 27th, 1877.

DEAR SIR: Your circular of the twenty-first instant is received, and in reply will state that I examined both the McGuffey and Pacific Coast Readers. I cannot hesitate to say that I consider the Pacific Coast Readers the better for several reasons; among them are the following: The selections include both recent and former productions, and therefore more in accord with the present progressive system of education. In lower books excellent features are introduced, such as script and object lessons, and being a home production their adoption appears to me to have peculiar claims aside from their intrinsic value. I taught in this and other counties for over twenty-four yearsseventeen years in California, and eight of them as Principal of the Sacramento Grammar Schools. I have the honor to be, yours very respectfully,

A. H. McDONALD.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL,

SAN JOSE, December 27th, 1877. }

HON. E. J. LEWIS, Chairman Senate Committee on Education:

DEAR SIR: Your letter of December twenty-first, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, asking my opinion upon "the comparative merits of the McGuffey Readers and the Pacific Coast Readers, and whether the interests of the public schools would be promoted by the proposed change," is before me.

I think the Pacific Coast Readers far superior to the Readers now in use in the State, both in method and matter. The superiority is most clearly seen in the lower Readers. We have used the Pacific Coast Readers in the Training School connected with the Normal School for two years past, and they have given good satisfaction, thus standing the only test worth anything-to wit, use.

I therefore think the interests of the public schools would be promoted, in that the pupils receive a better series of Readers at a less

[graphic]

2D

[blocks in formation]

OFFICE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,
STOCKTON, December 31st, 1877.

HON. E. J. LEWIS:
DEAR SIR: In compliance with the request as contained in your
circular, I have the honor to append the following opinions regard-
ing the Readers referred to: I consider the subject matter of the
Pacific Coast Series of Readers much superior to that of the McGuf-
fey's, being principally selections from the best modern authors,
and the higher Readers containing short but comprehensive bio-
graphical sketches of each writer. The books and the reading mat-
ter contained therein being new, will interest and be one of the
greatest incentives to children to study and improve themselves in
this now much neglected but important branch. Other important
considerations are the lessons in writing in the First and Second
Readers, and the spelling, as there arranged, are great improvements
over that contained in the book now in use. I do not wish to weary
your patience with details, but sincerely hope the "bill" will pass,
as I believe it will work to the best interests of the children of this
State.

The Pacific Coast books are specially adapted to the wants of our children, and being wholly made up by men of our own State they ought to receive the encouragement they so much deserve. When Californians produce what I consider a work much superior in every particular to that now in use, I believe it to be the duty of Californians to give to it their cordial support, thus encouraging home industry.

You ask me to state my present and past connection with educational interests. I was educated in California, and was engaged in the profession of teaching in this State for thirteen years previous to my election to the position I now hold.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

S. G. S. DUNBAR, Superintendent Schools, San Joaquin County.

OAKLAND, December 31st, 1877.

HON. E. J. LEWIS, Chairman Senate Committee on Education:

DEAR SIR: In answer to your request that I give you my opinion "on the relative merits of the McGuffey Readers and Pacific Coast Readers, and whether the interests of the public schools would be promoted by the proposed change," I reply briefly as follows:

I consider the Pacific Coast Readers superior for the following

reasons:

1st. They are better adapted to the wants of our schools.

2d. The books are better graded.

3d. The selections in the different books are better adapted to the pupils for whom they are intended.

4th. The selections are more modern, and thus appeal more directly to the interest of the pupil.

In regard to the second point, whether the interests of the public schools would be promoted by the change, I answer emphatically, I think they would, principally for the following reasons in addition to those mentioned above: The McGuffey Readers have been used so long that pupils and teachers find it impossible to become interested in them; they have been read over and over so many times that it is next to impossible to create any interest or enthusiasm in a class by their use. The reading exercises become, consequently, mechanical and so valueless. I consider this one point alone of sufficient weight to authorize a change. I have heard teachers complain for years of the uninteresting McGuffey Readers. The fact is, I feel so strongly on this point that I do not think you could adopt any Readers which would not be in the interest of the schools.

I came to California February, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, having graduated at Union College the previous year. I commenced teaching the same year, and have been at it ever since. I taught four years in Butte County, at Forbestown and Oroville, then was elected Principal of the High School in Nevada City, Nevada County, where I remained five years, when I was called to Oakland. Here I organized the first Grammar School, and from it a High School. At present I occupy the position of Principal of the Oakland High School. I have been connected with the Oakland schools a little over ten years, and with the schools of California nineteen years. I have the honor to be, yours truly,

J. B. McCHESNEY.

SAN FRANCISCO, December 31st, 1877.

HON. E. J. LEWIS, Chairman Senate Committee on Education:

DEAR SIR: I was five years State Superintendent of Public Instruction, three years Deputy City Superintendent of San Francisco, have been seventeen years a teacher in San Francisco, and am now Principal of the Girls' High School.

In my opinion, as the adoption of Bancroft's Readers was made by the State Board in good faith, and was defeated by the factious opposition of the State Superintendent, taking advantage of his own technical negligence in advertising according to law, the State ought, as a matter of honor, to carry out in good faith the terms of the original contract.

The Pacific Coast Readers are certainly as good as McGuffey's, and, in the opinion of most teachers, are better; as the introduction is to be made without expense, the schools ought to gain instead of losing by the change. In closing, allow me to say that, in my opinion, State uniformity is not desirable, and that a return to city adoption,

[blocks in formation]

DEAR SIR: Yes! I vote "aye," very decidedly. In my opinion the adoption of the "Pacific Coast Readers" would very decidedly promote the interests of the public schools of our State.

Comparatively considered, they far surpass McGuffey's in variety, propriety, naturalness, and freshness of matter. Positively considered, as the first series of Readers ever edited and published on our coast, their typography, illustrations, and binding are surprisingly excellent. Their introduction would prove a welcome stimulus to the almost lost art of good reading; a very decided economy to parents, who now have to pay for the wear and tear as well as the loss involved in the two thousand miles freight on books needlessly imported; and an urgently needed encouragement to home industries employing hundreds of citizens.

Have taught all my adult life (nineteen years) Primary, Grammar, High, and Normal Schools--twelve and one-half years in this State. Have also been, and am at present, engaged in lecturing and teaching in County Teachers' Institutes, in all the more populous centers of our State. Am a special teacher of reading and elocution. Now teach in the Boys' High School, this city.

If I can serve yourself or your Committee, in any way, pray command me.

Respectfully yours,

E. KNOWLTON.

[blocks in formation]

DEAR SIR: I have been absent from the city the greater part of the time since the receipt of your circular letter of December twentyfirst. On my return I took occasion to make a comparison of the two series of books mentioned, not having before examined them, hence the want of promptness in attending to your letter. My examination was, of necessity, rather a hasty one, and my opinion should of course be valued with that fact in view, but I am quite of the opinion that the Bancroft series is the better of the two. If I were called upon to adopt the one or the other, I should, without hesitation, choose Bancroft's. I think that the interests of the schools would be promoted by the proposed change. I graduated at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts; was Principal of the High School, Newport, Rhode Island; Head Masters' Assistant, Boston Latin School; Superintendent Public Schools, Brookline, Massachusetts, and am at present Principal of the Boys' High School in this city Yours respectfully,

W. J. REID.

[blocks in formation]
[graphic]

The opinions above expressed are so clear, emphatic, and unanimous that further comment by the committee is useless, and we only add our unqualified approval of the opinions so clearly expressed in the foregoing answers to the letter of the committee.

With reference to the price of Readers, your committee, after a very careful investigation, find as follows:

The price at which McGuffey's Readers now retail in California average about three dollars per set of five books; in some cases brought to our attention being as high as three dollars and thirtyfive cents per set. In San Francisco, where, of course, the sales are largest, the usual selling price is two dollars and eighty-five cents per

set.

The contract price for the Pacific Coast Readers is two dollars and seventy cents per set, at retail, with sufficient discount therefrom to the trade to enable dealers to sell at the same figures.

E. J. LEWIS, Chairman.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »