New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-21
A NOVEL COURSE OF STUDY.
HIGHER COMMERCIAL EDUCATION IN
THE NEW HIGH SCHOOLS.
THE IDEA BORROWED FROM GERMANY-NorH-
ING LIKE IT IN THIS COUNTRY-WOMEN
ANXIOUS TO BE HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPALS

PRINCIPALS.
New-York Is not only 10 have three brand-new
high schools at the beginning OF the next school
year. but the new high schools are to have, among
other things. Of study which In some feat
ures will be an absolute novelty in this country.
At any rate the High School Committee OF the
Board Of Education and those members OF the
Board OF SUperintendents who have been working
with the committee In preparing the course OF
study have been able to find anything like IL
this side OF the Atlantic The general idea they
have borrowed from the schools of Germany, which
has been making such marked advances In business
and commerce 10 arouse serious approhensions
in England. special investigation Of this subject
has been made by Professor James, OF the CEi-
versity OF Chicago, and the results OF his observa-
lions have been carefully considered IN making ID
the course OF study for NETWORKS high schools.
The special course TO which reference is made Is
termed by the committee. in the report presented
TO the Board of Education last week. the higher
commercial course and ii Is designed 70 give the
student very thorough business education. so ex-
tended to give instruction In the higher COM
rnercal operations and to form the foundation CT
a liberal education at the same time" 1t VIII be
seen that a number Of studies in the higher conf
mercla course such are pursued in ex-
listing educational institutions.
THE HIGHER COMMERCIAL COURSE.
The course covers four years. English and Ger
man are studied through the entire time. In the
second third and fourth years an option OF French
or Spanish Is given TO the pupil. The next study
runs through four years in this form: Bookkeeping
and business forms: bookkeeping and business
correspondence bookkeeping and business customs;
banking and finance. Then comes commercial
arithmetic for three years with economics in the
fourth. Stenography in the first two years Is sue
ceeded by card-ndexng and ctlce practice In the
third and transportation in the fourth. Next comes
commercial geography for two years, with Latin or
American literature In the third and Latin or
Shakespeare in the fourth. Civics and history are
succeeded in the subsequent years by cvics and
ancient history modern history and constitutional
history Finally after geology and botany in the
first year physics in the second and chemistry In
the third come commercial legislation and law an !
the history OF commerce in the fourth.
This course as a whole IS new and the features
especially suggestive such studies transpor-
taton banking and finance. oard-indexing and
office practice. commercial legislation and law II
is feared by members OF tbs High School Commit
tee that there will be considerable difficulty In
finding the right OF to teach these novel
branches OF study.
FIVE OTHER COURSES
Besides the higher commercial course the COM
mittee's report describes five other for the
high schools They are: l. A modern language
designed to prepare students for the scien-
tihc departments OF the City College Q A classl-
cal course. designed TO prepare students for the
classical department OF the City College. and which.
with the addition OF one modern language will pre-
pare students for the academic department or any
other college >. A Observation-Disclosures course. de-
signed to prepare students for admission to the
Normal College and to the scientific schools con-
nected with universities and to the leading colleges
FOR women. 1. A business course D. CONSOLE
dated course or schedule OF secondary studies, N
which are included nearly all the subjects usually
studied In high schools.
All these courses cover three years. but the first
and second are so arranged that the student may
enter the city College after three years. and the
third prepares students 10 enter the Normal College
IN three years Students desiring 20 enter other
colleges or not to go to college may pursue the
courses for another year and then receive special
diploma.
h,on schools is thus set forth: l. Reduce the
rork NJ the highest grade OF the grammar schools
an that (, can be completed In six months. and
star, the higher school work al the beginning OF
tho eighth year In school .. Take In the work
now done in the present supplementary grade -
2 Take in the work done in the sub-freshman
classes and in part that done in the freshman
class Of the city colleges. The gradual abb
sorption OF the sub-freshman Introductory
| classes in the two colleges is contemplated.
In preparing the courses OF study for the hish
schools the committee does not intend that they
should be regarded final In form arrange
ment but they Will ne subject 10 notifications n
detail by the special conditions under which IL may
he necessary TO carry them out. Considerable has
been left for the decision OF the principals when
selected. The committee rightly regards the choice
OF principals OF its most important duties
ard the members clearly that on the OF
m. selected the success OF high school work In the
American metropolis will largely depend
WOMEN PRESENT THEIR CLAIMS.
Perhaps that sentence should read 'the sort OF
men or women" At any rate. some OF the female
members OF the teaching force In this city are pro-
| foundly convinced that their claims TO these re-
| oonsihle offices should not be overlooked. A
| delegation Of them visited one Of the members OF
the High School Committee at his Office the other
| day and asked Him whether women would be con-
s,dered as candidates for the high school principal
| ships His answer was TO this effect:
| The committee has no prejudice against women
| IN this matter II you bring 10 Us a woman thor
oughly qualified BY experience. executive ability