The Providence News

EXTRA
5:15 O'CLOCK.
A NEW SYSTEM.

Change in Government of Evening Schools.

Teachers Will Be Looked After Sharply by the Committee.

A Growing Interest in Gaining Knowledge After Lamps are Lit.

Just now evening schools occupy great deal of attention and thought, not only upon the part of those who make possible the opportunity and those who earnestly desire to acquire an education, and cannot go to the day schools, but also those who have in years past hailed the opening of the evening schools with delight, feeling assured of a little diversion on school nights, and a comfortable room to sit in for an hour or two, while the wind is howling without, and Jack Frost is making merry with the nose, ear and finger tips. The reason why so much interest is shown is because this year an entirely new system has been adopted by the committee on evening schools, and visiting principal Whittemore is sharply engaged in thoroughly "weeding" them out. The schools opened throughout the city last Monday evening with a considerably larger attendance than heretofore, the evening high school alone having nearly one hundred more pupils than last year, and seven day school teachers are employed to instruct them. Although the attendance is so large, however, it is by no means certain that all those who have applied for admission will remain, and in fact quite a number have been dropped already for various good reasons, which will follow.

Contrary to the usual custom, the book of registration will not be opened until next Monday, this week being devoted largely to examining the qualifications of applicants. This is done to prevent fraud which has heretofore existed, the "fraud" being on the part of pupils, so-called. Quite a number start in to attend evening school and keep it up for two or three weeks, and then drop out. Others go to keep out of the cold, while still others go for fun. These are not to be permitted to remain away this year, none being allowed to enter who are not certified to by some responsible citizen and who will not guarantee by signing a pledge, that he will use his best efforts to attend regularly at least four evenings each week during the term; to be studious, obedient to the teacher and cause no trouble.

Those entering the evening high school must have a diploma or pass a satisfactory examination, besides furnishing a reference from some reputable citizen. Those under 12 years of age, of which several try to get in, and have heretofore succeeded sometimes, in spite of the vigilance of the authorities, will have to have a special permit from the superintendent of schools, besides furnishing the necessary guarantee and reference. Those who want to attend the advanced evening schools have to fill out a card, in addition to the other requisites, giving name, occupation, residence, etc., and tell all about their school experience. There are others who have been found to be attending day schools at the same time they go to the evening schools, and still others, whom Mr. Whittemore has not heretofore been able because of their duplicity to discover, who should attend day school but do not, either because their parents want them to work when there is no need of it, or because they prefer to run around the streets during the day. These are dropped with a dull thud and made to go to day schools.

Another rule adopted this year provides for books necessary to be loaned to the pupil to study at home. Not only he signs a receipt and guarantee for the use and care of the book, but the parent or guardian also assumes the responsibility. At the end of the week the teachers will in detail report the attendance to Mr. Whittemore, who will in turn forward a summary for each school to the superintendent.