The record-union., 1897-11-26

operation of associations already or
ganized for study of such problems, the
appointing of representative sub-com-
mittees of specialists interested in the
various subjects, the ascertaining OF
views of individual institutions, sec
ondary schools, colleges and universi-
ties, all with the ultimate view of de-
termining what should constitute a
normal requirement in each of the sub
jects set for admission to college. <Z
Within the several groups of English,
classics, modern languages, history,
mathematics and science, the deter
mination of what should constitute a
years work in each subject-in gen.
eral, the constitution of entire courses
of study in each separate subject. (3)
Preparation of a schedule of options or
equivalents within the various grades
or between separate groups.
To sum up the character of the last
mentioned movement, We may say the
first part constituted in the careful.
thorough and exact aScertainment OF
just what the different courses Of study
were as they existed at the time of in
quiry. The second part, in the organ
lied effort to harmonize, adjust and
eliminate the wide differences that ex-
ist, with the purpose of securing a uni
form course of study for preparatory
and secondary schools. This second
part is now the objective point of at
tack upon which the carefuly-trained
forces of the National Educational AS
socdation, assisted by the Association
Of Secondary Schools and Colleges of
New England, of the Middle States. of
North Central States, and Of the South
ern States, are being concentrated. A
satisfactory solution can be reached
only through compromises and conces-
sions, of which there are good pros
poets.
In connection with the work of the
important Committee of College En-
trance Requirements designated by the
National Educational Association, it is
significant that a most important series
OF conferences on the same topic began
in New York on February 1, 1896, par
t1c1pated in by representatives of Col
umbia, Cornell, Harvard, Pennsylvania,
Princeton and Yale. These conferences
We're arranged by Professor Low Of
Columbia, acting with the Presidents
of the colleges named. The specific OBJ
ject of the conferences was to try to
reach some agreement ON the part OF
the six institutions participating as to
form and content of college entrance
requirements. Identity was not aimed
at, but it was held, and rightly, that
any college demanding Greek or
physics. for example, for entrance
should not frame some fantastic re-
quirements Of it's own, but adopt a
rule that will permit the schools that
prepare for several colleges to teach
In one class or group the pupils in
Greek or physics, regardless Of whether
they are looking toward Harvard,
princeton OR Cornell. Representative
schoolmasters participated in each con-
ference, and the results are of great
assistance to the work of the National
Committee.
Tne following summarized recon-
mendations We're unanimously agreed
to and adopted, and are to be put in
force in 1898 by the colleges partici-
pating:
ON THE SUBJECT OF LATIN.
First-1t is the sense of the confer
ence that the examination in authors
should consist in part of texts on pre-
scr1bed work, and in part of texts on
unseen" passa ges.
Second-The conference adopts as it's
recommendation concerning grammar:
(a) thorough examination on a pre-
scribed portion Of Cicero's speeches
(about thirty pages). directed to test
ing the candidates mastery of the or
dlnary forms, constructions and ideas