The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-30
HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL.
One of the Most Interesting Sessions
of the Day.


Perhaps the most representative
gathering of the afternoon was in the
hall of representatives where Superin-
tendent Frank Weld, Of Saltwater,
called the High School council to order
at o'clock. After a little preliminary
business had been disposed of Super
intendents F. E. Hubbard, Of Red
Wing; F. T. Bliss, Of Waseca, and
Aaron Schmit, of Jackson, were nam
ed the nominating committee, and
later Superintendent Adams, of North
field, was added to the list.
Inspector Alton, Of the high school
apparatus committee, urged that some
person be retained at a modest salary
to look after the work, and COM
mittee was named including Julius
Horton and +. V. Hubbard with Mr.
Alton as chairman, to further plan
of making the laboratory apparatus at
the state prison.
superintendent S. s. Parr, Of St
Cloud reported for the committee APP
pointed to consider a. closer relation
between the high school and the uni
verSity. Prof Parr made a strong
plea for a closer acquaintance between
the two institutions named, and point
ed out that there would be a mutual
profit following visits from the faculties
OF both institutions, one to the other
He contended that scholastic demands
are, first, four years preparatory work
upon any Of three courses, viz, CLASH
cal, literary and scientific; algebra,
geometry, history, English and physics
being common to all Second, a gen
eral Improvement Of the high schools
and the use Of funds, libraries, appli-
ances, etc. Third, a specialization in
securing corps of better trained teach
ers, and fourth, the raising of the
quality of graded work.
. of
board of education of Aurora, ILL.,, in a
paper covered in a mastery way his
views on "A Boards Relation to the
Pupil" The paper from beginning to
end was listened to intently, and was
filled with carefully expressed, concise
views on the various phases Of the
rela ton mentioned Briefly vet cOmpre-
hensively Mr.. Mack went over the
provisions made in different states for
the establishment and maintenance Of
free schools, the character of school
laws, the matter of school sites and
buildings, and in fact delivered what
proved to be one of the most satiSfac-
tory papers yet read. He pointed out
the urgent necessity for good grounds,
good buildings and above all good III
structors, and was not slow to say
how to bring about the best results
along these lines.
After a discussion Of this paper, Miss
Mary Donovan, of the saltwater High
school, read a paper on examinations.
From the famous teacher in the first
century who told his followers about
the fig tree, which bore no fruit, down
to modern instruction, and how to as
certain how it was being impaired to
the pupil mind, Miss Donovan made a
long jump, but took time to contrast
the methods which obtained during the
two periods. Miss Donovan does not
exactly approve what she calls written
final examinations. She does not be-
lieve they furnish a real test of the
knowledge of the pupil. She asks IF
the custom of giving final examinations
does not tend to produce general Gull
ture, nor to add to the students know
ledge. nor to enhance his enjoyment Of
his work, why then do we examine?
1t must be that something is gained by
it. What is it? All that 1 can see is
a mark She cited cases where pupils
were careless inaccurate and indiffer
ent occasionally, and thus fell below
marks which would properly indicate
their real knowledge. The paper was
thoroughly we'll put together and
was discussed by superintendent
Ford, of Owatonna, and Superinten-
dent z. N. Vaughn, of AnOka.