The morning call., 1892-02-21
High school nrk.

Editor CdN In reply TO my communication
OF a few days ago on The subject Of high-schooi
studies, and tn a later editorial you say that the
great objection TO the present course IS that It
sacrifices lie majority, who do not 80 10 college,
to the minority that do
It Is hard 10 understand this charge, unless
perhaps you are misiniormed as to the course
Your comments lead readers 10 suppose that
there Is a rigid course IN the schools, leading 10
university work, but useless for general educa-
ton. The hlgh-schOOl WORK consists Of mathe-
MATES, history, literature, language and ele-
mentary science, grouped In several courses,
among which the pupils may choose freely.
These courses are arranged as TO give the
most liberal educstIOn possible 10 those who are
going no farther. Not a study, not an hours
work In the three years Is required that Is not
judged by the general consent OF educators IN
this state and elsewhere 10 be the most useful
toward this end. Certain things, as the classics.
which are judged ey many experts TO be very
valuable toward fitting for life, even II studied
only during lilo high school period, but with re-
gard 10 which there Is difference OF opinion, are
permitted but not required No one who does
not wish TO take them need do so. AT the point
IN this rounded training where the high school
ceases the university begnS-t requires not one
study Of rs matriculates other than must occur
IN such hgu-schOOl course as an educators are
agreed upon as aiiordiug the b st general prep
aiauOn Tor lie outside OF college. Inc one thlng
Il does require Is that these studies shall be well
aud thoroughly followed up to The point agreed
upon.
Now wherein IS the majority OF the school
sacrificed 10 a minority Ia thlS2 May we not
have specifications? Which one OF the
qUiTcd studies In the high school IS II that is
valuable only for college preparation and use
less for "life"? The mathematics? the natural
sciences? histOry2 literature? AS for the Ian
puages-wlth regard to whose value opinions
dlfer-they are elective and do not figure IN the
matter.
There Is no use I'm telling about a different
course for those that 10 enter life" aud
those that are 10 enter college; for no PROPOSE
tiOn has been made In San Francisco for DIFF
ferent course. There could not be. for tile
whole ground of reasonable high school courses
is covered now by the various ones tina; are
offered. Tie proposition was a lowering and
relaxing Of the present courses and narrowing
the Sc ectlon 10 be offered among them.
Whatever advice a Boston writer may think
good 10 address 10 the teachers IN the high
schools the Boston high schools are maintained
with the cordial support of the people at a
standaI OF severity beyond that Of San Fran
cisco schools, aud do not believe any PROPOSE
ton to lower them has ever been made. Ii has
been amply shown that the corresponding
schools OF Europe require fully 20 pei cent more
work than ours.
1t is quit true, however that the grammar
school children have their vigorous plays, and
the colleges their gymnasium courses, while The
high school pupils are lett In need Of healthy
exercise. But there Is no reason why they
should not have gymnasium courses as well as
the colleges. Here Is a good chance for
journal 10 advocate reform. NJ. S.