The Washington bee., 1892-04-16

Vanced educational thought hay,
those in charge of the 7th and Stl
divisions have in their zeal to pro
mote broader culture, a more lib
eral land useful education anC
above all have they fitted theil
youth for the environments of act.
i've life?
If such be the case, 1t behooves
these gentlemen to ask this boarC
to make a full, free and open inves
tlgatlon as to methods and eficien.
cy OF their corps of teachers SO thai
our fellow citizens may know tha,
the school system of Washington is
second to none, while on the other
hand, if these divisions are behind.
1t Is the Imperative duty of those in
authority to demand an investiga.
ton so that not another year will
be wasted"
Differences of opinion may arise
as to the exact course of study, but
we must remember that "the spec
lal education is best which rests on
broad and strong foundation and
that general culture is of no i'm
portance to the average man if he
cannot in an humble pursuit earn
his livelihood, and contribute bis
mite to the general good of the
community in which he dwells."
After quoting several passages
from the ablest minds of the cCun-
try bearing upon the kind of edu
cation needed, he says: "Presldent
Elliott of Harvard college states
that last year PIG full courses of
study were offered to students and
that the elective system is destined
to be the corner stone of our edu-
cational system"
Supt. Powell in an able address
before the National Educational
Board of Brooklyn, says: "All
manual training In the high school
Is optional, as is every other branch
of education, with the exception of
Hence with pleasure, 1 point to |
this school as one keeping abreast |
of the growing tendencies of the |
age and only regret that | cannot
place the cOlored High School in
the same rank. The advantages of
the elective course are we'll known
to all educators and the good re-
suits, shown by the fact that more
students are entering upon college
courses this year than ever before,
8 significant. What means the iu-
crease? In the School Journal of
'ecent date we find this expression,
VIZ: "The gulf Of separation be-
ween the scholars world and that
If the active man Of affairs seems
o have been partially bridged by
he determination of the higher ln-
of learning to keep in
ouch with the practical nature of
his century's progress. The un-
nistakabIe trend toward a higher
'ducation will be productive OF
reat good"
Comparison between the white
Ugh School and the colored High
'chOOl.
claim the right 10 demand equal
rivileges for the colored boy and
iTl going from the sixth division
A" to the colored High School as
le white boy and girl receive when
ley enter the other High School,
.Othing more do | ask and nothing g
'ss will satisfy my claim upon the t
,hool authorities for equal school
1vantages and privileges. Before +
'nsidering the subject in detail, it q
understood, of course, that this
0ard settles the course of Study-
9nce there should be no difference S
Icept this board makes a mOdlfi
LtiOn, etc.
But let US examine and compare {
70 schedule of studies for the two
hools. By casual glance they
em to agree in every particular, q
I'd yet, there are many differences.
Wherein lies the fault? There il
e three cOurses:-Academic, Eng.
h or scient fic, aud business pub- .
he'd in the schedule but the pu- {"
Is are allowed to choose between
e academic and business course fr
ly. The children are Induced to
rsue the academic which is more A
pecially adapted to pupils who
5end to enter the colleges of eur
small part of our boys &C
d girls have the means or the
ne to pursue collegiate education.
[n contrast to this fact, you all u,
ow that the white youth through W.
the land pursue the English or
entiic course. re
IF the higher education is to be
'rough it must be elective" says 81
School and College (page g.
the language of President
OFT of Harvard, is even more en-
cible-"Electlve system inevita.
:" RI
70 refresh the memory of the .
mbers of this board, l have noted
following statistics taken from I'd
last report of the Commissioner
Education (page 1922: du
It. of COlum- White Colored de-
bia. Schools. Schools.
aAomio Honroa SOo ON -