St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-04

vised, by principal or superintendent. The
course OF study and the work in these high
schools covers the three years preparatory
to the university and graduation from the
schools can only occur upon the completion
of the entire course prescribed by the state
board
Schools are fully equipped with libraries
and reference books necessary for studies in
history, science and literature, and with APP
paratus for illustrations in chemistry and
natural philosophy. Also there appears in
many schools what may be called the higher
atmosphere OF the school, expressed in the
scholarly bearing of the pupils, their love of
study and finally, as an explanation of the
progress already noted, these schools APP
point their superintendent and principals
with view to retaining them for some
time, which is done by paying some regard
to their ability and by paying them a good
living salary. There is
ANOTHER CLASS
of high schools, ranking second, which al
though they have not the full equipment
and rank OF the first class, have gained much
and promise soon to be complete in all that
belongs to a school of the best class.
There is still a third class, which have so
many obstacles of small numbers and
doubtful support in public sentiment that it
must be said in truth that they have not yet
demonstrated their ability to support credit
able high schools.
The defects in these schools ought to be
mentioned that they may be remedied.
They are not all to be found in any one
school, but are sufficiently general to
characterize a class.
First-The elementary departments are
not carefully graded. nor the children pur
suing courses of study with regularity.
Second-The schools and departments
do not have superintendent which Sc
cures strict order, neatnesS in buildings,
grounds and outbuildings, and which
unites and improves all grades by the
stimulus of its presence and direction.
Third-The pupils received into the
high school will not show the results of
good elementary training in ability to read
easily and consecutively, and to express
their thoughts both orally and in writing
with facility. AS result the work in the
high school is often unintereSting and un-
satisfactory.
Fourth-There is in these schools an
entire lack OF apparatus and libraries. In
the absence of these and instructions that
will utilize them, the young folks acquire
none of the knowledge that is found in the
books Of history, travel, biography and
current literature. And in the natural
sciences, upon which so much stress
is laid, as the most useful
studies nothing is illustrated and
nothing learned beyond memoriter book
work. The defect causing this backward
ness and utterly preventing reasonable pro-
gress is the continued
CHANGING OF PRINCIPALS.
Some of the schools have had a new prin
cipal each year since they have been under
the inspection of the state board. The evil
has been magnified in that these principals
in many cases have been young, with no eX
perience in supervision, and have been al
lowed no time to master the situation. At
the end of the year change is made, either
by the board, because of dissatisfaction with
service. or by the teacher, because of dis
satisfaction with pay.
The secretary is Of the opinion that the
high schools might be divided into three
classes, upon plan similar to the one
above it being understood that high schools
of the third class are in the experimental
stage, and that their continuance as state
high schools receiving appropriations will
be determined by improvement, with the
prospect Of soon meeting all reasonable de-
mands upon them as preparatory schools
for advanced courses. The report notes
the fact that the term of three years for
which high schools are received under the
of the state high school board eX-
PRED in July for Alexandria, Dodge Centre,
Fergus Falls, Glencoe Morris, MontevideO,
st. Charles, JaneSville. Dundas and Elk
River. Also that the following have been
received during the year: Alexandra,
Brainerd, Fergus Falls, Dodge Centre, Ma
della, Dundas, Glencoe, Preston, GAINESVILLE.