Henderson Daily Dispatch

Most Repeaters
From First Grade
In State Schools
Daily Dispatch Bureau,
In the Sir Walter Hotel
BY J. C. BASKERVILL
Raleigh, Aug. 27.--The largest percentage of repeaters in the public schools come from the first grade, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Clyde A. Erwin said today.
For the school year ending June 30, 1934, the latest for which figures are available, 28 out of each 100 white children and 34 out of each 100 colored children enrolled in the first grade were not promoted, and therefore had to repeat the work of the first grade during 1934-35, the figures show.
The number of repeaters for each 100 white children enrolled in other grades is as follows: second grade 18, third grade 17, fourth grade 18, fifth grade 19, sixth grade 19, seventh grade 20, eighth grade 24, ninth grade 22, tenth grade 20, and eleventh grade 13. Twenty out of 100 white children enrolled and 27 out of each 100 colored children enrolled repeated work in 1934-35 that they did not complete in 1933-34.
"Although this does not appear to be such a good showing," said Superintendent Erwin, "it represents a remarkable improvement over the record made ten years ago, when an average of 39 of each 100 white children enrolled and 56 of each 100 colored children enrolled in the public schools did not complete sufficient work to permit them to enter the next succeeding grade. Now, that we have minimum eight months school term throughout the State and better trained teachers, I believe children will attend school more regularly; and within the next ten years I anticipate that even greater progress in this respect will be made.
"I think now" continued Superintendent Erwin in commenting on the situation, "that a great deal of emphasis should be placed on 'first grade teaching.' The first grade teacher, to my mind, has a great responsibility. She introduces school life and habits to the child, and often it is these first impressions that are lasting and become fixed in the child's mind. In the employment of teachers, I could recommend that the very best trained teachers possible, who understands little children, be secured for those who are entering school for the first time."