Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-01-02

SlIy ana so many OF the high SCHOOLS
and academies. This relation was
formulated before | became connected
in any special way with the educational
interests of Wisconsin; and therefore
have had to do only with the general
administration of a policy already
adopted am. however, familiar with
the fact that when the methods OF
transferring students from the prepara-
tory schools into the university by di-
ploma were first introduced into this
country, the act was in avowed con-
fo-Eity with the custom that had been
gradually evolved out Of the most
thoughtful and most successful expert
ence in the history of education. The
system of another country could not
be introduced without notifications,
because conditions were essentially diff
ferent. The most important modifiea-
ton thought necessary was the provi-
sion for an official inspection of those
schools which coveted the new privi-
leges for its pupils. These inspections,
or, as they are sometimes called, ex-
aminations, have everywhere been at
tended with many inconvenience. Pro-
fessors conducting such inspections are
obliged either to leave their classes or
to make unusual arrangements for
their instruction, and long journeys in
the winter are often inconvenient for
many reasons. And yet in the course
of the twenty-six years that have
elapsed since the system was first in
troduced in neighboring state, it has
practically spread to all parts of the
country. Notwithstanding the import
ant, fact that few of the largest in
situations have, up to the present time,
resisted the innovation, admission by
diploma has come to be generally
adopted as a system by the colleges
and universities of the country. 1t is
probable that a familiarity with facts
will show that the system has been
least successful where the examining of
schools has been most loosely admins
tered, and most successful where exam
nations have been most thorough and
most frequent. Experience, moreover,
seems to justify the belief that the ben
eficial effects of the system are felt
both by the colleges and by the pre-
paratory schools. If the schools are
benefited by the system of inspection,
scholarship in the colleges and uni
versities is thereby improved; but as
only small percentage of high school
pupils so to college, and as any benefit
that comes from inspection must be ex-
perienced by all, 1t follows that the
benefit must chiefly accrue to the pre-
paratory school. 1t also follows that if
no benefit is felt by the preparatory
nothing to recommend it. In discus
sion of this kind it can hardly be
thought unwise to inquire whether the
system is in itself inherently faulty or
whether it is unwisely administered by
the university. Does the university
have its controlling hand upon the high
school? Is it true that the high schools
are at the mercy of any one of the
large corps of teachers at the univer-
sity?
Before answering these questions it
may be well to observe that whatever
may be the esteem in which the system
is held by the superintendent and
principals in this state, ii seems that
in other states, especially in the state
in which the system originated and has
had the largest experience, it receives
general, if not universal, approval. It
must be admitted that this system, like
any other, depends for its beneficent
results very largely upon the spirit and
These facts quite justify us. not only
in giving an outline of the system, but
in dwelling for a moment on the meth
DDS on which the system is carried out.
Mo- in regard to some of the most
noteworthy facts. In the first place it
may be we'll enough to say that no
school is ever examined except by in
vitation of the school authorities; and
secondly, if at any time any school is
dissatisfied with the system and prefers
that its pupils should come to the
university and be examined for admis
SlOIl, Tie SC1UUl LIDS unlg W luuiNdtt tilt
fact; or simply to neglect to ask for
an inspection. This would seem to
answer the question as to whether in
The system itself there is anything es-
sentially tyrannical or oppressive. 1t
is system which. so far as any indi-
vidual school is concerned. can be ter
minated at any time by it's own Volt
ton. 1t should therefore be clearly
understood that every school that is
subject to inspection BY the university
has entered into that relation simply
because 1t has chosen to do so and can
terminate it at any time. #, there
fore, the system is in any way open to
criticism it can only be by the fact
of unwise administration on the part
of the university
The machinery by which the system
of examination is carried on Is through
committee of eight members, of
which Professor Stearns, formerly at
the head of the whitewater Normal
school, and now professor OF pedagogy
IN The university. is chairman. The
other members are Professors Birge,
roocenrt pupe1 Van Velzpr Hendrick-