A
FURTHER
STUDY OF RETARDATION IN ILLINOIS. J]y G. W.
Superintendent of
This
study
was
subject
last year Principals' Round
Public
after the
begun
by
Gaylek,
Schools, Princeton, Illinois.
general study of Superintendents' Valley
the Illinois
more
the results of which
Table,
were
this and
published
in
the April number of the Psychological Clinic. It grew out of the criticism, more or less just, that the first investigation was too
general
in its nature and
This paper
gives
of two classes in the
grade
city
books of the
1901-02 records. and the
in exactness and detail. personal and detailed study
wanting
was
the results of
a
schools of schools
public present. Before
Illinois.
The
preserved complete
from
Princeton,
are
that year we have no complete The two classes studied are the primary class of 1901-02
to the
primary class of 1902-03. The general plan has been to study each and every pupil enrolled during these years and to trace his personal school history through the course to the close of the year 1908-09. A personal study was made of all pupils who still remained in the schools in 1908-09 with a view of finding out as exactly as possible the condition with regard to retardation and the cause ?f it. The tables given below, and the comments on them, are based upon this personal study of the records and of the children themselves. If these children entered school in 1901 they should be in the eighth grade in 1908. If they entered in 1902 they should be in the seventh in 1908. to the tables it "Will be
grade
By referring
were in the first in the different years given above and who have remained m school have been promoted regularly year by year and in 1908 were in the normal grade. seen
grades
that
only
a
small number who
Table I. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
2 0
4 3
12 10
Total
2
Per cent
22
7 2.3
7 16 13
8
29 25
8 12 11
Total
1 3
47 40
4
23
33.3
9
2G.4
87 4.6
Table I gives a summary of all children who entered in 1901 and who remained in our schools until the close of the school year 1908. If each had passed regularly year by year all would (79)
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
80
have been in the
eighth grade in the year 1908-09. Instead of find them scattered all the way from the fourth grade to the ninth inclusive. Sixty pupils, or 68 per cent are somewhere below the eighth grade. Four pupils, or 4.6 per cent are this
we
in advance of that the
grade.
Twenty-three,
or
26.4 per cent
are
in
eighth grade. Table II. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
1 0
7 4
9 14
Total
1
Per cent
11
7 G
23
2
8 1 1
7
2
13
22
2G
46
9 0 0
Total
25 25
0 4
50 0
Table II gives the number of first grade pupils who entered school for the first time in the year 1902-03 and who remained in school until the close of the year 1908-09. If these children had been up to grade in 1908-09 all should have been in the As in the
year we find them scattered from the fourth to the eighth through grades, inclusive. Thirty-five pupils, or 70 per cent are below the normal grade, and 15, or 30 per cent are in the normal grade or ahead seventh
grade.
several
preceding
in this
case
of it. Table III. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
2 0
G 3
13 7
Total
2
Table III
1901,
but who
gives were
a
20
9 3.2
Per cent
7
14.7
8
10 10
5 4
20 32.8
Total
0 1
36 25
1
9 32.8
9
14.7
61 1.6
summary of those
retained in the first
pupils who entered in grade in 1902, and who
continued in school until the close of the year 1908-09. All these children repeated the first year's work during 1902-03. In 1908-09 they should have been in the eighth grade, but instead
Nine pupils, we find them scattered as given in Table III. 14 per cent, are up to grade in 1908-09. This means that in a few cases children when held back one year in the first grade regain the time lost in a later grade. In one case a child not only
of this or
regained the lost time but gained an additional year. Twenty pupils, or 32.8 per cent, did not lose any more time after the first year but passed through regularly after that. Twenty pupils, or 32.8 per cent, lost an additional year, and 11 pupils, or 17.9 per cent, lost still
more.
RETARDATION IN ILLINOIS. Table IV.
Summary Number 4 years
of the
81
Two Classes.
Number Number Number Number 3 years
2 years
behind. behind. behind
1 year
behind.
up to
Number Total. ahead.
First Class 1901-02...
Second Class
1902-03.
Total
5
2
19
Total Per
33 5.8
cent.
24.1
52 38.0
17
72
36
6
26.3
4.4
137
An examination of Table IV will show that of the 137 pupils who entered in 1901-02 and 1902-03, and who remained in school until the close of the year 1908-09, 42, or 30 per cent, were m the normal grade or ahead of it, and 95, or 69.3 per cent, were
behind.
Fifty-two, or 38 per cent, were one year behind; 33, or 24.1 per cent, were two years behind; 8, or 5.8 per cent, were three years behind, and 2, or .7 per cent, were four years behind. Of the total number of boys (72) 51, or 72.2 per cent, were behind. Of the total number of girls (65) 44, or 67.7 per cent, Were behind.
It is of vital
importance
to know
just
this retardation takes place and what is the
study
it
was
found that
an
where in the cause
of it.
course
In this
unusually large amount of it occurred 95 pupils behind, 48 lost one year in
the first grade. Of the the first grade, 29 lost two years, 9 lost three years, and 2 lost four years in that grade, a total of 88 children who were retarded
m
m
the
primary grade. Eleven of these afterward gained a year's Eighteen children were retarded at some place in the course later than the first grade. A number of children reported as retarded entered school some time during the last half year, and did not spend a whole year in school. Erom the records the number of these cases could not be accurately determined, but they could not possibly be over 50 per cent of the total number retarded one year. If we say 50 per cent of the pupils who lost one year were retarded because of entering the last half year we still have 64 children retarded in the first grade who have spent an entire year there, but who have failed to win promotion for some other cause. I understand that during these years it was the policy of the school to promote only the very bright children
work.
82
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC. s
grade at the close of the first year of school. In fact exceptional child that won promotion. It was thought best to retain them longer and give them a more thorough foundation if they did not show excellent ability. This has been changed and is no longer the policy of the school. Of the total number retarded a large majority are average pupils without physical defects, and of ordinary intelligence. The ones retarded three years or more are defectives or are wanting in mental ability. One of the boys that is four years behind has an adenoid growth and is otherwise defective. The other one is a colored boy and has the proverbial thick skull and low grade of intelligence. Of the eight who are three years behind, the five boys are of low grade of intelligence and are lacking in ability to do the work. They come from homes lacking in interest and helpfulness. One of the girls is affected with an adenoid growth, but the others from all appearances are normal. of the first it
was
the
The children who of the
brightest pupils why
unable to find out
years behind include some public schools, and I have been many should be behind unless it is
are one or two
in the so
due to the mistaken notion that all children except the unusually bright ones should be kept two or more years in the first grade. P-"
V
Table V.?La Salle Grades First School Second School
3
4
5
0 1
14 13
7 9
Total
1
Through
27 1.2
Per cent
6 26 13
47 36
39
16 32.5
Total
19.3
83
46.9
the kindness of J. B. McManus, Superintendent of Schools, I am able to give here the results study by him of 83 pupils of the La Salle Schools.
the La Salle Public of
a
personal
Table V gives a tabulated summary of this study. The children in these classes entered school for the first time in the autumn of 1903, and should be in the sixth grade in 1908-09 if not retarded; 39, or 46.9 per cent of the total number who remained in school until 1908-09 were in the sixth grade, and the remainder 44, or 53.1 per cent, were retarded one or more years. Sixteen, 19.3 per cent, were retarded one year, 27, or 32.5 per cent, were retarded two years and only one was retarded three years. !No report was given as to where the retardation took place, or or
the
cause
of it.
FURTHER
STUDY OF RETARDATION IN ILLINOIS. J]y G. W.
Superintendent of
This
study
was
subject
last year Principals' Round
Public
after the
begun
by
Gaylek,
Schools, Princeton, Illinois.
general study of Superintendents' Valley
the Illinois
more
the results of which
Table,
were
this and
published
in
the April number of the Psychological Clinic. It grew out of the criticism, more or less just, that the first investigation was too
general
in its nature and
This paper
gives
of two classes in the
grade
city
books of the
1901-02 records. and the
in exactness and detail. personal and detailed study
wanting
was
the results of
a
schools of schools
public present. Before
Illinois.
The
preserved complete
from
Princeton,
are
that year we have no complete The two classes studied are the primary class of 1901-02
to the
primary class of 1902-03. The general plan has been to study each and every pupil enrolled during these years and to trace his personal school history through the course to the close of the year 1908-09. A personal study was made of all pupils who still remained in the schools in 1908-09 with a view of finding out as exactly as possible the condition with regard to retardation and the cause ?f it. The tables given below, and the comments on them, are based upon this personal study of the records and of the children themselves. If these children entered school in 1901 they should be in the eighth grade in 1908. If they entered in 1902 they should be in the seventh in 1908. to the tables it "Will be
grade
By referring
were in the first in the different years given above and who have remained m school have been promoted regularly year by year and in 1908 were in the normal grade. seen
grades
that
only
a
small number who
Table I. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
2 0
4 3
12 10
Total
2
Per cent
22
7 2.3
7 16 13
8
29 25
8 12 11
Total
1 3
47 40
4
23
33.3
9
2G.4
87 4.6
Table I gives a summary of all children who entered in 1901 and who remained in our schools until the close of the school year 1908. If each had passed regularly year by year all would (79)
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC.
80
have been in the
eighth grade in the year 1908-09. Instead of find them scattered all the way from the fourth grade to the ninth inclusive. Sixty pupils, or 68 per cent are somewhere below the eighth grade. Four pupils, or 4.6 per cent are this
we
in advance of that the
grade.
Twenty-three,
or
26.4 per cent
are
in
eighth grade. Table II. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
1 0
7 4
9 14
Total
1
Per cent
11
7 G
23
2
8 1 1
7
2
13
22
2G
46
9 0 0
Total
25 25
0 4
50 0
Table II gives the number of first grade pupils who entered school for the first time in the year 1902-03 and who remained in school until the close of the year 1908-09. If these children had been up to grade in 1908-09 all should have been in the As in the
year we find them scattered from the fourth to the eighth through grades, inclusive. Thirty-five pupils, or 70 per cent are below the normal grade, and 15, or 30 per cent are in the normal grade or ahead seventh
grade.
several
preceding
in this
case
of it. Table III. Grades
4
5
6
Boys Girls
2 0
G 3
13 7
Total
2
Table III
1901,
but who
gives were
a
20
9 3.2
Per cent
7
14.7
8
10 10
5 4
20 32.8
Total
0 1
36 25
1
9 32.8
9
14.7
61 1.6
summary of those
retained in the first
pupils who entered in grade in 1902, and who
continued in school until the close of the year 1908-09. All these children repeated the first year's work during 1902-03. In 1908-09 they should have been in the eighth grade, but instead
Nine pupils, we find them scattered as given in Table III. 14 per cent, are up to grade in 1908-09. This means that in a few cases children when held back one year in the first grade regain the time lost in a later grade. In one case a child not only
of this or
regained the lost time but gained an additional year. Twenty pupils, or 32.8 per cent, did not lose any more time after the first year but passed through regularly after that. Twenty pupils, or 32.8 per cent, lost an additional year, and 11 pupils, or 17.9 per cent, lost still
more.
RETARDATION IN ILLINOIS. Table IV.
Summary Number 4 years
of the
81
Two Classes.
Number Number Number Number 3 years
2 years
behind. behind. behind
1 year
behind.
up to
Number Total. ahead.
First Class 1901-02...
Second Class
1902-03.
Total
5
2
19
Total Per
33 5.8
cent.
24.1
52 38.0
17
72
36
6
26.3
4.4
137
An examination of Table IV will show that of the 137 pupils who entered in 1901-02 and 1902-03, and who remained in school until the close of the year 1908-09, 42, or 30 per cent, were m the normal grade or ahead of it, and 95, or 69.3 per cent, were
behind.
Fifty-two, or 38 per cent, were one year behind; 33, or 24.1 per cent, were two years behind; 8, or 5.8 per cent, were three years behind, and 2, or .7 per cent, were four years behind. Of the total number of boys (72) 51, or 72.2 per cent, were behind. Of the total number of girls (65) 44, or 67.7 per cent, Were behind.
It is of vital
importance
to know
just
this retardation takes place and what is the
study
it
was
found that
an
where in the cause
of it.
course
In this
unusually large amount of it occurred 95 pupils behind, 48 lost one year in
the first grade. Of the the first grade, 29 lost two years, 9 lost three years, and 2 lost four years in that grade, a total of 88 children who were retarded
m
m
the
primary grade. Eleven of these afterward gained a year's Eighteen children were retarded at some place in the course later than the first grade. A number of children reported as retarded entered school some time during the last half year, and did not spend a whole year in school. Erom the records the number of these cases could not be accurately determined, but they could not possibly be over 50 per cent of the total number retarded one year. If we say 50 per cent of the pupils who lost one year were retarded because of entering the last half year we still have 64 children retarded in the first grade who have spent an entire year there, but who have failed to win promotion for some other cause. I understand that during these years it was the policy of the school to promote only the very bright children
work.
82
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLINIC. s
grade at the close of the first year of school. In fact exceptional child that won promotion. It was thought best to retain them longer and give them a more thorough foundation if they did not show excellent ability. This has been changed and is no longer the policy of the school. Of the total number retarded a large majority are average pupils without physical defects, and of ordinary intelligence. The ones retarded three years or more are defectives or are wanting in mental ability. One of the boys that is four years behind has an adenoid growth and is otherwise defective. The other one is a colored boy and has the proverbial thick skull and low grade of intelligence. Of the eight who are three years behind, the five boys are of low grade of intelligence and are lacking in ability to do the work. They come from homes lacking in interest and helpfulness. One of the girls is affected with an adenoid growth, but the others from all appearances are normal. of the first it
was
the
The children who of the
brightest pupils why
unable to find out
years behind include some public schools, and I have been many should be behind unless it is
are one or two
in the so
due to the mistaken notion that all children except the unusually bright ones should be kept two or more years in the first grade. P-"
V
Table V.?La Salle Grades First School Second School
3
4
5
0 1
14 13
7 9
Total
1
Through
27 1.2
Per cent
6 26 13
47 36
39
16 32.5
Total
19.3
83
46.9
the kindness of J. B. McManus, Superintendent of Schools, I am able to give here the results study by him of 83 pupils of the La Salle Schools.
the La Salle Public of
a
personal
Table V gives a tabulated summary of this study. The children in these classes entered school for the first time in the autumn of 1903, and should be in the sixth grade in 1908-09 if not retarded; 39, or 46.9 per cent of the total number who remained in school until 1908-09 were in the sixth grade, and the remainder 44, or 53.1 per cent, were retarded one or more years. Sixteen, 19.3 per cent, were retarded one year, 27, or 32.5 per cent, were retarded two years and only one was retarded three years. !No report was given as to where the retardation took place, or or
the
cause
of it.
