seen. Algebra, for example, should be discarded in the grammar grades, because, without a high school and college course, it possesses no utility. The substitution of an elementary course in bookkeeping, or a good practical course in mensuration, or a course in purely business arithmetic would, in my estimation, be infinitely more practical than "first lessons" in algebra, and both the direct and indirect benefits would be much greater. Every pupil completing the grammar grades, should go out into life able to keep an account, either personal or for the corner grocery, with the day book, cash book and ledger.

I would not be misunderstood. I have not endeavored to decry the efficiency of education in our Catholic schools. In fact the contrary is the case; for in most instances the points of weakness which we have criticised are relatively less conspicuous in our Catholic schools than in others.

We ought to give more attention to individual pupils than is commonly supposed to be possible with the large classes necessitated by the scant financial resources of many of our schools. Unless a class is overwhelmingly large it is possible for the teacher, if alertly working upon such a plan, to observe the difficulties and shortcomings of individual pupils and to give to each the needed encouragement and guidance. The plea of "no time" for such teaching is not valid, because it would be proved by the experience of a month's trial that the progress of nearly the entire class would equal that of its "quicker" half under methods of teaching that leave the "dull" half a hopeless drag.

Parents often make the mistake in delaying the matter of entrance. Statistics compiled in various cities show that about one-fourth of the children found to be retarded are retarded because of late entrance. This cause may be removed under our present compulsory law. Other remedies might be the removing of physical defects and the establishment of an ungraded room in each school for backward children in order to fit them to return to the grades from which they are temporarily barred, with a prospect of being able to keep pace with their fellow scholars in those subjects in which they were formerly deficient. In this case promotion and re-grading could take place twice a year. This is merely a personal suggestion; but then the heads of our schools would be confronted by the question: "Will the Superiors of our religious teachers be able to supply us with a teacher for such a special class?" As it is, the Superiors are not capable of supplying the demand for teachers.

Retardation will, without a doubt, always exist, but careful study and the application of wise remedies ought to reduce the evil to a minimum.

REV. ROBERT W. BROWN, Grand Rapids, Mich. : The subject of retardation is of vital importance to every school. Wherever four or more teachers are employed in any parochial school there ought to be a teacher, free to give her entire time to supervision. She will then be able to know the habits, as well as the capacity of each child. It will

soon become apparent which children are weak in their grade, some in one branch and some in another. By judiciously grouping the backward children and giving them extra attention daily for a month or two, it will be found in almost every instance that those children will be able to progress with their class and sometimes will even excel. This supplementary work should not be required of the regular grade teacher, but can easily be done by the supervising teacher. This method was tried for several years in a parochial school employing eight teachers teaching eight grades. The average number of pupils per teacher was forty-one. The percentage of retarded pupils was reduced to less than three per cent. We consider this plan far superior to segregation in a so-called ungraded room, with the consequent stigma of being a dullard. The group system, as it may be called, can be equally well utilized to advance the brighter pupils to a higher grade.

Teachers should endeavor to instill confidence into their pupils, especially the boys in the seventh and eighth grades. Many are diffident and need constant encouragement. A sympathetic teacher will know how to draw them out and make them enthusiastic workers where a querulous teacher will discourage them and even drive them from school. Let us encourage our big boys.

SUPERINTENDENTS SECTION

PROCEEDINGS

FIRST SESSION

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1911, 4 P. M.

The Superintendents Section was called to order by the Rev. A. E. Lafontaine, Chairman.

On motion, the chair appointed a Committee on Rules and a Committee on Nominations.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. McDevitt, Brother Edward, F. S. C. and Rev. R. W. Brown, were appointed as the Committee on Nominations.

The Very Rev. J. A. Connolly, Rev. E. F. Gibbons and Brother Albert Kaiser, S. M., were appointed as the Committee on Rules.

A paper on "Vocational Teaching in the Grammar Schools," was read by the Very Rev. Thomas E. Shields, Ph. D., LL. D., of the Catholic University of America. It was discussed by Father Boyle, Brother John Waldron, S. M. and Father Gibbons. After prayer the meeting adjourned.

SECOND SESSION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1911, 4 P. M. The session was opened by the Chairman, who read a paper entitled "Should the Grammar School Course be Shortened?"

A round table discussion followed and was participated in by Bro. John Waldron, S. M., Rev. R. W. Brown, Rev. Hugh Boyle, Rev. E. F. Gibbons, Very Rev. James A. Burns, C. S. C., Very Rev. J. A. Connolly, V. G., Rt. Rev. Msgr. H. C. Wienker, Rev. J. B. O'Leary, Bro. E. Victor, F. S. C., Rev. P. J. McCormick.

The Committee on Rules presented the following recommendation, which, after animated discussion, was adopted:

The membership of the Superintendents Section shall be restricted to:

1. Diocesan Superintendents.

2. Community Supervisors, or Inspectors, other than Diocesan. 3. Chairmen of School Boards from Dioceses in which there are no Diocesan Superintendents, or some one appointed by the Ordinary of the Diocese.

The Committee on Nominations not having reported, were discharged and nominations were made from the floor, resulting in the election of Rev. A. E. Lafontaine, Fort Wayne, Ind., as Chairman, and Bro. E. Victor, F. S. C., New York, as Secretary. There being no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned.

BRO. E. VICTOR,

Secretary.

LOCAL TEACHERS MEETINGS

PROCEEDINGS

Meetings of the teachers of the archdiocese of Chicago were held on Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 and 29, at 2:30 p. m. Teachers of the parish schools attending the convention were present. The program was arranged by Rev. H. A. Spalding, S. J., who also presided at the meetings. The sessions were held in the College Theatre.