Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-07-01
Proposed Changes in High School Course.

Proposed Changes in High School Course.
In reply to inquiries concerning proposed
changes in the course of study at the high
school, Prof F. E. Chaplin makes these
suggestions.
1t would be well to give more time to
mathematics, and put the subject further
along in the course. The junior year is
now wholly without mathematics geometry,
if begun the spring term Of the second
year, and continued through the junior
year would be better treated in respect to
length of the course and the age OF the
pupils, and would then need less reviewing
during the senior year. This change has
been successfully made in some OF the bet
ter schools of Massachusetts.
Then we have never fully completed during
the first year the work in Algebra required
for college fit more time is needed here,
and, if we cannot put the subject into the
ninth grade for elementary treatment, we
ought to continue our Algebra at least one
term of the second year. 1t is mistake
to take up such a subject as Algebra with
our fourth class, and then have gap OF
nearly three years before giving them a
hurried review by way ofpreparing for col
lege.
The defects in science can hardly be
remedied until the new building gives us a
room suitable for science work.
Wellesley college, in granting the right
of certifcation this year, criticises our
English and insisted upon much more writ
ing of themes by pupils; this practice in
ro fbou cba11 ho ko,,+
throughout the course. We will certainly
have to do better English work if we are
to meet the requirements of the best col
leges; Brattleboro has attempted a solu-
ton Of the problem by introducing large
amount Of literature into the high school,
claiming that there must be great deal Of
thought-building before good written ex-
preston of pupils ideas. English is just
now the great problem in all our schools
and colleges; no one is satisfied, no one
knows any sure method of getting the de-
sired results. We would do we'll in Bel
lows Falls to take only medium course
in our high school English. We car
hardly afford to have special teacher il
this subject. In French two pupils thi
year began on three years course, think
ing that the additional year would give
them better-ft for college. In case W,
decide to omit German it would be vel
to consider three years course in Frencl
for those who fit for college, that is advising
such students to begin their French thu
second year and, if there is any necessit,
to continue the subject nearly or quit
three years. High school principals ar
beginning to insist that those who fit TO
college, shall not take up any subject no
required for admission; this econimize
time and effort, and allows one thing to b.
, well done. For instance, why stud
medieval history for twenty-five weeks
it forms no part Of your college fit, and
you need the time for other subjects upol
which an examination is to be givenae w
, need, then, to bring our course to poin
where four good teachers may carry j
out, and at the same time keep in mine
those who fit for college, and those who d.
not carry their studies beyond our owl
school.