The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-12-19
THE GRADUATING SYSTEM.

THE GRADUATING SYSTEM.
In all of our higher institutions of
learning definite course of study is
mapped out in terms and years, which in
most of them, embraces four years work
of three terms each. A pupil in the
first years work is called freshman; in
the second, II sophomore; in the third,
a junior; in the fourth senior. At the
close of each term and also ut the close
of each year the student is examined in
all the studies pursued during that time
and if his examination Is satisfactory,
he is passed to the next term or years
work. When the four years course is
completed the pupil is said to graduate"
and receives parchment or diploma
signed by the teachers of the school and
the members of the board of trustees
which certifies that the the pupil has
done his work faithfully and we'll The
day upon which these diplomas are pre-.
sented, is called commencement day.
meaning, perhaps, that the pupil is con
sidered as prepared to commence his
life work. The exercises of this day
consist of music, essays and orations by
members of the graduating class. Pre-
liminary, however, TO these exercises is a
baccahalauraete address and joint meet.
ing of literary societies, to both of which
the public is invited.
There is also in connection with the
annual examinations a public eXamina-
ton. The board also meets at this time
to hear the report of the president, sign
diplomas and discuss the future plans
and prospects of the school. The grad
yates of these schools form themselves
into alumni associations and NEE. year
ly during commencement week. All
have witnessed what is accomplished by
this system in these higher Institutions
and can testify to its value
The term addresses, society meetings
cises cali the attentioA of the public to
the progress of the school and enkindles
an enthusiasm for higher education.
The alumni meetings foster a genuine
love for the alma mater of its members
and create in them a new zeal for its sue
cess.
The meeting of the board of trustees
and president thus early enables them
to plan well for the coming year.
This system was introduced into the
university hundreds of years ago--after-
wards into the college and academy, and
still later into the graded schools, and
an effort is new being made to introduce
it into the ungraded schools, its advo
Gates believing it will, if wisely admin
istered, do rs much for them as il has
for these higher institutions. Its intro
ductlon into our rural schools would
necessitate, as it does in our higher insti-
tutiOns, Q) definite course of studies
adapted to each district of the county
co regular examinations at the close of
each term, and also at the close of each
year, in all the branches pursued during
this term (O permanent record of
each pupils advancement rs shown by
these examinations, and his Class stand
ing; ~ the formation of literary socie-
ties for the purpose of giving ;he pupils
practice in public debate and parliamen-
tary usages; (5) an. annual meeting ofthe
school board before the close of school to
arrange for commencement exercises and
The next years work; (6) commencement
exercises, to which the public would be
invited; "a alumni associations, and Is
an annual catalogue and report of the
school or schools. The teachers and
members of the school board in each
district could map out a course adapted
to their particular district and could also
make such rules aud regulations as
weuld he necessary for examinations
records, reports and the general manage
ment of the school, or the school boards
and the teachers of the county assisted
by the superintendent could meet in con-
vention and arrange these matters if uni
formity is desired
The application of this system to our
common schools is not entirely new.
A. L. Wade, superintendent of Mononga-
liza county, West Virginia, has used it in
the schools OF that county for the past
three or four years, and with good re-
suits. Several other counties in that
state have also used the system, and we
understand few rural districts in Kan
sas have followed similar plan with
good success. With the experience Just
cited we cannot but believe that this
plan would, if adopted and judiciously
managed, create an entire revolution IN
the school work of our county. There
are evils now in our schools which
this system would tend 10 correct. The
constant change of teachers winch so
materially affects the progress of our
schools, would. in a measure, be remov-
ed, for both patron and pupil would de-
sire the teacher 20 remain until the class
which he organized for graduation had
completed the course. This system in
volving as it does definite course of
study and permanent records, would
leave the school in good shape for new
teacher if a change should be made
Irregularity Of attendance, the bane of
all our country schools, would be par.