VII

SCHOOL   INSPECTION  AND   TRAINING   OF  TEACHERS
Examinations and Exhibitions

Local school committees were required "to meet at their respec¬
tive schools every Thursday afternoon from three to five o'clock,
for the purpose of inspecting the schools, and examin-
E '^ inations ^^ ^^^ children in their learning."' The faithful
performance of this exacting duty, as shown in the
minutes of the committees, is indicative of the devotion to the cause
of education of the active members of the Public School Society.
Minutes of the Committee of the New York Pubhc School No. 2, in
Henry Street, cover a period of forty years. A few of the entries
are copied as suggestive of the methods of inspection and examination.
Under date of October 28, 1812: "Premiums were given to deserving
monitors, in proportion to their tickets presented, for their attention
to the silence and attention of their classes. The money amounting
to two dollars and twenty five cents was furnished by the teacher."
Under date of September 30, 1818: "Present, Whitehead Hicks. The
school much in its usual order. The scholars' tickets were redeemed
with suitable prizes furnished by the committee of supplies. The
teacher reports that the monitors of the select class have regularly
attended school since the last report."i*

"New York Free School No. 2, December 2nd, 1818: Present, White¬
head Hicks. Examined the writing of some of the children, but
principally devoted the time of this afternoon to the giving out of
prizes, to those children who had tickets. The prizes were furnished
by the committee of supplies, and highly calculated to be useful to
the children, consisting of mittens, combs, scissors, etc. The teachers
report that the monitors of the select class have attended the school
regularly and also to the discharge of their duties since the last report.
The number of children present 294."

"New York Free School, October 14, 1818: Present, Whitehead
Hicks.   Examined the writing generally and was satisfied with the

' By-laws of the Public School Society, 1826, p. 12.
'Minutes, Public School No. 2, 1811-1853.