Some of the leading features of the Training School are the following:-- 1. It is incorporated with a city or town Graded School covering from four to eight years’ work. This school is used as a place for observation and practice. 2. The Practice School, or school of observation, employs one or more regular teachers, who conduct the training class. In most Training Schools, “trainers” are relied upon for much of the teaching. 3. The course in the Training School includes a study of the principles of teaching and the history of education, with practice in the art. 4. The length of the term of study and practice is fixed, extending from one to two years in the greater number of schools. 5. A new class is admitted at a fixed time; the admissions are annual or semi-annual. 6. The maximum number of trainers is prescribed. 7. Admissions are made by a course of studies previously pursued, or by examination. Most require the equivalent of a four years’ course in a High School. 8. All provide for dropping unpromising students from the roll. 9. Most allow some compensation to trainers after the first term. A list of Training Schools in Massachusetts is appended. It is taken from a useful little pamphlet drawn up for the information of visitors to the World’s Fair Educational Exhibit. TABLE OF TRAINING SCHOOLS REPORTED, 1891-92. +------------+----------+---------+-------+---------+ | |Graduates.| Period |Grades.| Regular | | | Annual | of | |Teachers.| | | Average. |Training.| | | +------------+----------+---------+-------+---------+ |Adams | 5 | 1 | | | |Cambridge | 15 | 1 | | | |Fall River | 12 | 1½ | | | |Haverhill | 14 | 1½ | | | |Holyoke | 12 | 1½ | | | |Lawrence | 12 | 1½ | I.-VI.| 2 | |Lowell | 32 | 1½ | I.-IX.| 6 | |Lynn | 12 | | | | |New Bedford | 14 | 1½ | | 2 | |Newburyport | 4 | 1½ | | 1 | |North Adams | 6 | | | | |Pittsfield | 8 | | | 2 | |Springfield | 8 | 1 |I.-VII.| 7 | |Taunton | | 1 | | | +------------+----------+---------+-------+---------+ _TRAINING CLASSES._ In many cities training classes are held for one year. The students are distributed amongst the best schools of the city or town, and the instruction and criticism is given by the Superintendent and the highest teachers. TABLE OF TRAINING CLASSES, MASSACHUSETTS.