The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-22
HIGHER EDUCATION.

The people OF Helena are enIltleo 10
congratulate themselves on the general
efficiency OF their public schools. 1t is
probably no exaggeration to declare that
their results will compare favorably
with those attained by similar educa-
tional institutions in the older and more
settled parts OF the country. The larger
portion Of this success, it will be adj
mitted, is due to the earnest efforts Of
the present superintendent and his ex-
cellent staff. But tho functions of the
public schools are necessarily limited.
There are subjects which, desirable in
themselves and as preparation for
college and university career, are quite
beyond their province and. although in
earlier days they were in no great de-
mand, the increasing wealth and pros
perity of the west has gradually ron
dered them an imperative necessity. In
other words, there is wide gap between
the public schools and the universities,
and as every year OF growing wealth and
success increases the number Of western
young men and women who are ambi-
tious to prosecute their studies beyond
tho opportunities afforded by the public
schools, the intelligent members Of the
community arc looking around for the
means to fill The gap, for scholastic insti.
tutiors that will serve as a stepping
stone to q university course. We are
not altogether unprovided for. Our own
High School and several UNCONVENTIONAL
schools and colleges throughout the
state are ready to our hands. But there
is seeming tendency on the part of
many parents to ignore their existence
and possibilities and send their children
east to continue the education they have
begun in the public school. For this
exodus of pupils who have exhausted
the resources of a public school educa
ton there must be reason, or severa
reasons, because parent would natur
ally desire to have his children at thu
formative period of life reap the bene
fits of the wise and tender influences Of
home. Much Of it is probably due to
personal likings. The larger number of
our citizens who have brought Montana
and themselves to the front we're born
and educated elsewhere, and they
naturally look forward with pleasure to
their sons and daughters occupying
their old places and reaping the educa.
tional benefits they themselves enjoyed
But the average western mans expert
ences do not readily lead him to the cul
tivation of mere matter of sentiment
and it is most probable that he is in
/, clined to doubt the efficiency of oul
4 home educational factors and put hi
!. trust in the prestige and undoubtee
success of older institutions. If h
could be convinced that the educationa
) supply in Montana was of equal merit
!. we may reasonably conclude that TIN
! days of eastern exodus would be past.
Here is the grand opportunity TO
i Yale, Harvard, Columbia or some othe
, enterprislng institution. We want
test of the merits of our higher educa
!, tional system. To be effective, the tes
Y must be supplied by outsiders withou
local sympathies or prejudlces. This c
Ii that school may claim this or that &C
4 vantage over it's rivals; self assertio
carries little weight and we requir
proof of the statements advanced. I
be effective, it must come from some il
stitution of recognized standing an
power in the educational world. Th
faintest suspicion of undue preferenc
orof shady transactions would unde
tho experiment entirely nugatory.
Let one or other or all of these inst
tutions institute what we may ca
annual local examinations. They nee
not be confined to Montana. Sprea
them all over the United States, tn
wider the better, the test Of quality wi
be the more far-reaching. Let ever
state have local centers sufficient
numerous to obviate the necessity {
long journeys on the part of compel
tors. In Montana we might have Ger
tiers at Glendive, Miles City, Billing
Livingston, Bozeman, Helena, Butt
Deer Lodge, Great Falls, Dillon, Mi
soula and other points that experiene
might point out as desirable. The Q,
animation papers would be the same a
over the country and in this way
superlative test of educational facilitit
would be obtained. 1t might be of tW
grades, junior aud a senior, and cand
dates in each might be classed accor
ing 10 their merit. The expense nee
not be great, small Zee from each cor
petitor would clear it all In every ce
ter there could easily be found son
educated man or woman unconnect'
with the interested schools to whom Il
papers might be sent under seal, to
opened only at the place of examin
ton, and who would return the WRITE
answers, also under seal, to the III
versity authorities. The universe
would provide its own examiners a
pay them from the fees received.
scheme on these or similar lines Won
be an incaiculable boon to Montana a
would result in q vast increase OF poI
l.;ity to the University or universit
that undertook It's WORKING.
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