434 REPORT — 1903. 



Influence of Examinations. — Interim Report of the Committee, con- 

 sisting of the Bishop ok Hereford, Sir Michael Foster, Sir 

 P. Magnus, Sir A. W. Rucker, Sir O. J. Lodge, Mr. H. W. 

 Eve, Mr. W. A. Shenstone, Mr. W. D. Eggar, Professor 

 Marshall Ward, Mr. F. H. Neville, Mrs. W. N. Shaw, Dr. 

 C. W. KiMMiNS, Dr. H. E. Armstrong (Chairman), and R. A. 

 Gregory (Secretanj), (appointed to consider ami report ipon the 

 Influence exercised by Universities and Examining Bodies on 

 Secondary School Curricula ; also of tlie Schools on University 

 Requirements. (Drawn itp hy the Chairman.) 



During the past few months the regulation of examinations has occupied 

 the attention of a number of pubhc bodies. Tt is an open secret that the 

 Consultative Committee have had the subject of a school-leaving exami- 

 nation under consideration, as they have consulted both university 

 authorities and teachers on the question ; and that there is a trend of 

 opinion in such a direction is shown, for example, by the action recently 

 taken by the University of London in the matter of school examinations. 



As a preliminary step a circular has been issued to the members of 

 the Head Masters' Conference and other heads of schools, and to a 

 number of university tutors, &c. ; but as yet only a limited area has been 

 covered, and it will probably be desirable to extend the inquiry in order 

 to ascertain the opinion of teachers in general as well as of other com- 

 petent persons. 



In inviting opinions the following statement was made : — 



For the purposes of this inquiry it is desired to obtain opinions from 

 those whose work is affected in one way or another, or who have special 

 opportunities of judging, with the object of eventually placing on record 

 a clear statement of any objections that may be felt to attach to existing 

 practices ; and more especially to suggest alterations or remedies which 

 if inti'oduced would favourably influence the work both of schools and 

 universities. 



The subjects to which attention may be particularly directed ai"e : — 



L The eflPect of examinations generally on school curricula. Do they, 

 on the whole, tend to direct the teaching along reasonable lines ; or do 

 they interfere with the liberty of action of schools, and check the 

 development of individuality and the power of independent thought ? 



2. The effect of specific examinations, both as^afiecting general training 

 and as encouraging undue specialisation, either on the humanistic or the 

 scientific side. 



3. The need of unifying examinations with the object in view, among 

 others, that certain examinations may serve a common purpose, e.g., as 

 qualifying examinations for entrance upon a coui'se of professional study. 



4. The need of preventing examinations from becoming stereotyped 

 and behind the times, and thus discouraging the development of new or 

 improved methods. How far does an interchange of opinion between the 

 teaching profession and examining bodies already take place, and to what 

 extent might it be extended ? 



5. The possibility of arranging outside examinations so as to test what 



