‘500 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—L, M. | 
tion, the methods of conducting the tests, standardising the marking, and 
setting and marking the papers. The various modifications adopted year by 
year, and the reasons for adopting them, were described in detail. * 
The examination consisted of two tests. The first test was a qualifying 
test. Those who gained 50 per cent. of the total marks could enter the secondary 
schools as fee-payers, or could pass on to a second competitive test on the 
results of which free places were awarded. 
The first test was purely internal. ‘lhe papers were set and marked by the 
head teachers, and the test was held in all the elementary schools. 
The papers of the second test were sent by an examination board, consisting 
of representatives of the secondary and elementary and central schools and of 
the local authority. H.M. inspectors were also in attendance. The examination 
is open to all children of the borough. Scholars in the junior departments of 
the secondary schools or in private schools take the same test as elementary 
school children. The age of admission is 11-12. All elementary scholars ot 
this age who have reached Standard IV. must be presented. Under special 
circumstances, bright younger children, and older children who previously 
missed the examination, may be nominated by the head teachers for the test. 
The subjects of the examination were originally arithmetic, composition, 
dictation, general intelligence and general knowledge (geography, history, and 
nature study), but have now been reduced to English and arithmetic in both 
tests. The school record is taken into account, and carries 100 out of 300 marks. 
This is examined at the schools and where necessary is supplemented by an 
oral test. | 
The marking is standardised by the local authority working in conjunction ~ 
with the members of the examination board appointed as markers. The ~ 
standard required has been fixed by a minimum curriculum, which states the 
attainment to be expected from normal children at the age of 11-12. This 
was settled by a conference of head and assistant teachers from all grades of 
schools under the authority. 
The examination has proved beneficial to all branches of the educational 
system. It has defined and invigorated the work of the elementary schools, 
and has led to important reforms in their curricula and organisation. It has 
given a uniform standard of admission to the central and secondary schools. ~ 
It has brought the various types of schools into close co-operation, so that — 
they are now intimately related parts of one harmonious system. Finally, it © 
has suggested for the administrative side many problems leading to new lines | 
of investigation, organisation, and development. } 
12. Miss Marcarer E1nert.—Rhythmic Dancing. (Illustrated by a 
demonstration. ) 
Rhythmic dancing has been called the very symbol of a new spirit in 
nature rhythms, stories in movement and dance studies. 
The growing recognition of the need in physical education for something 
less formal, more spontaneous, and more in harmony with the interests and — 
activities of everyday life has drawn considerable attention to this form of © 
dancing recently, for to physical benefit is added the cultivation of a sense of — 
beauty in music, movement, and the drama. : 
Rhythmic Dancing has been called the very symbol of a new spirit in — 
physical education, for though the dancing of Ancient Greece was its inspira- 
tion, its development is modern in essence, and is exercising a powerful influ- 
ence upon our whole scheme of education for girls to-day. ; 
SECTION M.—AGRICULTURE. 
fe 4 
* 
(For references to the publication elsewhere of communications entered in 3 
the following list of transactions, see p. 507.) : 
Thursday, September 13. 
1. Miss E. R. Hiscox, Mrs. B. 0. V. Marrics, and Mr. A. Topp.—_ 
The Influence of Research upon the Making of Milk Products. — 
