A survey of the educational system of the Philippine islands by the Board of educational survey, created under acts 3162 and 3196 of the Philippine Legislature.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

247

itself is not on the basis of its isolated letters and their elements but of
words, usually in sentence.
The use of a writing scale is practiced and commended, but it might
be used much more effectively by taking account of what is shown by its
application. The children in many schools were found to scale a year
or more above the norms for their respective grades. This should be
evidence that, for the time being, no more time should be spent in
practice than is enough to prevent deterioration in writing. When
practice is required it should not be upon a formal set of previously
outlined letters or details, but upon the actual forms with which individual children have difficulty. The scale should be used not only to
determine the general quality of the pupils' writing, but also to find the
specific imperfections of each pupil.
It is our judgment that much time is wasted in useless formal-movement exercises and drills.
Good writing habits cannot be established by attending only to the
results of the formal writing periods. Good standards should be required in all written work and attention given to the quality of form
in writing in all subjects.
The blackboard writing of teachers has strong influence upon the
writing of children. With very few exceptions the writing by the
teachers observed was of fine and commendable quality.
It is recommended that the course of study and the teaching of
writing be investigated in detail to determine whether it may not be
much simplified and the time allotment considerably reduced. It is
also recommended that study be made of the use of scales to locate
the individual needs of children as well as to measure the general quality
and speed of their writing.
THE TEACHING OF THE PRIMARY BRANCHES
The Commission has conceived its chief duty to be that of making
an impersonal analysis of the work of the school and definite recommendations as to the outstanding changes that are needed to improve
it. Because of the central importance of the work of the primary
grades, however, especially of reading and language, it will also present
illustrative teaching devices. The possibility of loss of continuity in the
report will no doubt be offset by the practical value to teachers of the
methods suggested.
THE TEACHING PERSONNEL OF THE PRIMARY GRADES.-The most
important factor in the education of young children is the personal onethe teacher. The people of the Philippines are fortunate to have their
children under the care of sympathetic teachers. The relationship
between teacher and children seemed to be one of mutual sympathy