people do not
spell well, is because of the fact that they have been trying to
teach specific words rather than to develop a general and constant
watchfulness.

The fundamental training in spelling is accomplished in connection
with composition, letter-writing, etc. Direct word-list study should
have only a secondary and supplemental place. It is needed, first, for
making people conscious of the letter elements of words which are seen
as wholes in their reading, and for bringing them to look closely
into the relations of these letter elements; second, for developing
a preliminary understanding of the spelling of words used; and third,
for drill upon words commonly misspelled. While a necessary portion of
the entire process, it probably should not require so much time as is
now given to it and the time saved should be devoted to the major task
of teaching spelling watchfulness in connection with writing letters
and compositions.

The great majority of the population of Cleveland will spell only as
they write letters, receipts, and simple memoranda. They do not need
to spell a wide vocabulary with complete accuracy. On the other hand,
there are classes of people to whom a high degree of spelling accuracy
covering a fairly wide vocabulary is an indispensable vocational
necessity: clerks, copyists, stenographers, correspondents,
compositors, proof-readers, etc. These people need an intensive
specialized training in spelling that is not needed by the mass of the
population. Such specialized vocational training should be taken care
of by the Cleveland schools, but it should not be forced upon all
simply because the few need it. The attempt to bring all to the high
level needed by the few, and the failure to reach this level, is
responsible for the justifiable criticism of the schools that those
few who need to spell unusually well are imperfectly trained.

The spelling practice should continue through the high school. It
is only necessary for teachers to refuse to accept written work that
contains any misspelled word to force upon students the habit of
watchfulness over every word written. The High School of Commerce
is to be commended for making spelling a required portion of the
training. The course needs to be more closely knit with composition
and business letter-writing.

HANDWRITING

Cleveland gives a considerably larger proportion of time to
handwriting than the average of the 50 cities.

TABLE 5.--