The actual working of this plan has demonstrated that many things which
might seem to be objections have been only imaginary. At the start the
scholars were classified according to their ages, with occasional
modifications with reference to their places in the public schools, and
the teachers were placed in the different grades with reference to their
relative abilities, and they were asked to teach certain specific
things, which of course they cheerfully did. The scholars, who are
accustomed to this method in the public schools, at once caught the
idea, and their parents became interested to see that their lessons were
learned before coming to the school. The attendance of teachers became
more regular, for each teacher, having his own specific work to do, very
soon realized that if he were absent his work could not be fully done by
a substitute, and the attendance of the scholars was much improved, for
they could see actual advancement from Sunday to Sunday.
The attendance of scholars in the Intermediate Department averages fully
twenty per cent more than in any other department. Of course, the
adoption of any system of graded work means considerable work for a
superintendent at the start, and this to a busy man is a serious matter;
but after the system is fairly started it works easier and with less
friction to annoy than any other plan, and the cause is worthy of the
effort required.
Two reasons why schools should be graded may be given: 1. Children will
be interested in what they can understand, and if the instruction both
as to form and substance is adapted to their growing intellectual
abilities it will easily be received and taken care of, while, on the
other hand, if it is not comprehended it excites no interest in the mind
of the child, and he is glad to get out of the school as soon as he can.
2. The teachers do not go on with their classes from year to year
indefinitely, and by this means it is possible to bring ten succeeding
classes under the teaching of the ablest teacher you can get in a
particular grade, instead of confining that able teacher to only one
class for ten years. There can surely be no question as to which is the
better course.