Three R's

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Fig. 7 Sample of Vertical Writing. Sixth grade pupil. Taught in Cleveland Schools until 1905. That vertical writing has these characteristics cannot be questioned. Experience, however, has shown that under this system Of instruction children fall into habits detrimental to a running hand, and not Only lack fluency and speed, but lose their individuality. SO unsatisfactory had the vertical system become by 1905 that a special committee Of the Board Of Education was-appointed to investigate the system Of writing taught. The Committee sought information from all sources. The following is a summary Of the report of the Supervisor Of Writing. Probably two thirds Of the pupils write a back-hand. Speed tests in the grammar grades show that the slowest and most labored specimens are written by those who write a vertical hand. Teachers 1n the higher grades are dissatisfied, while parents complain Of vertical writing, and business men condemn it. Eight years Of careful Observation and experience with the present system fully convinces me that we are losing ground. In the same vein ran the report from'the Chamber Of Commerce: The vertical hand is not adapted to business purposes, and it is a handicap to the youth leaving school and seeking employment. On the ground Of such testimony, the committee recommended a change.