The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-11
Is one OF the aims Of the Prison Reform Assoc
citation. IT will have the best wishes Of
society In its labors.
THE HIGH-sOHoOL DOCTORS.

to investigate and advise. Pglnclpal -. D
Wescott, of Chicago, spent one day in he
High-school, but was unable to meet the COM
mittee on account Of i'll health. The bulk of
his long letter to the committee adds no in
formation to the question asked: Why do the
boys leave high-schools? He discusses at
length and with force what should be the
teachers education and motive. His exhorta-
ton is good, and such are always in place, but
it is applicable to all school systems and to all
parts of them. Professor Wescott agrees with
the committee that the English course should
be the basis, and be compulsory on
all. He would have the prescribed
course in mathematics and science IN
clude, in the first two years, algebra,
geometry and trigonometry as a mathematical
course, and physiology, botany, zoology and
history as a scientific course. Prof. Wescott
thinks there is danger in allowing too much
freedom in the choice Of studies. He would
limit elective studies to the third and fourth
years. He strenuously urges night high
schools for boys and young men who canno
attend day schools. These evening schools
might include bookkeeping, mechanical
drawing, photography and type-writing.
Prof. Wescott's letter of advice is very fer
vent, and contains good advice for schools
from the primary up, but in his ideal high
| school course he makes the mistake of over
loading. No high-school class can take
the mathematics and science studies he
advises for the first two years with any thor
oughness, even leaving off most Of the
English course. It amounts to university
work. Moreover, it is one-sided in science,
as it takes no note Of chemistry and physics.
while taking the biological subjects. Profess
sor Wescotts generalization, that the purpose
of the schools is the 'upbuilding Of a charac-
ter, the expansion of a human intellect, the
development of a man." is good, but it is
trite. This all teachers admit; but along
what lines, is the question? The letter is to
be commended to all interested in public
school education, but it gives no aid to the
committee, and in his days visit the Professor
finds nothing either to praise or condemn.
President Smart, Of Purdue University,
answers the questions of the committee i'll de-
tail and to the point. He answers the ques-
tion, can the Indianapolis High-school course
be changed, improved or curtailed in such a
xuox IN - roa1a ~ ~ oua afE o,a~t onJ ,oronksoa1
by saying that while the efficiency of a school
depends very much more upon the teachers,
their methods and the amount Of work they
have to do, than upon the subjects of study,
he is convinced that the course would be
strengthened and rendered more attractive if
more time were devoted to economic studies,
as botany, zoology, chemistry and physics.
Regarding manual training, President Smart
says:
II am clear in the opinion that a manual
! training school, in which many of the ordinary
high-school branches are taught, and in which
| instruction and practice are given in mechani-
cal drawing, carpentry, wood-turning, pattern
making. blacksmithing, machine and wise
work in iron, etc., established in a city like
Indianapolis, whether by private or public en-
terprise, would prove to be Of great benefit;
but an independent plant of this sort, capable
of accommodating 200 boys, would cost not
less than $40. 900. To maintain it efficiently
would require an expenditure of $15, 900 or
500. 900 per annum. It will doubtless be con-
| cluded that an independent plant at public ex-
pense is impracticable. The problem of
establishing a manual training school in con-
n%ection with an existing hign-school, wholly
at public expense, is one that has not yet
been conclusiyely worked out. What has
been done has been chiefly experimental.
Those who are trying it are confident of salts
factory results. | think that, under favor
able circumstances, such a scheme would
prove an attractive one, and that by 1t some
boys, perhaps many, would be kept in a high
school longer than they now are. Whether
| the conditions are favorable for introducing
manual training into the indianapolis High
school or not, is a question that / cannot an
swer without further information"
President Smart says that accommodations
for one hundred students in carpentry, wood
turning and pattern-making can be had for
81, 500, if the rooms are at hand. But this
makes no account for instruction. A forge
shop he puts at $500. and a machine-shop,
with steam power, at So. 600.
President Smarts letter is worthy the care
full consideration Of the School Board, even if
it is not possible to carry out a system of
manuel instruction in the High-school. Thor
oughly conversant as he is with the educa-
tional needs and demands of our city and
State, his kindly advice and commentator will
be of use to the committee in their attempt to
make the High-school even more efficient and
practical than the investigation has shown it
to be, if the school is to be continued at all.
An Old Mans Work.
L IT, T~.-.~1 =.