The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-07-13

deservedly honofed In having first
achieved q plan that yields satisfactory
results, has now 200 schools upon its
list of formally accredited schools. The
University of Wisconsin reported last
year 1877 the University of Indiana 1873 !;
the University of Nebraska n; the
University Of Mississippi So; the Uni
versity Of Tennessee As; the University
of Minnesota 43; South Carolina Col
lege So; the University of Alabama % !;
the University of Colorado % the Uni
versity of South Dakota %; West vir-
ginia University 10; University of Wash.
ington IL Tulane University TO- the
University of Missouri 20; University of
Illinois 1886; University of California
over 81; Lake Forest University IS
University of Kansas 1888; University of
Iowa l46. Besides the institutions
above named, the following have each a
well organized system Of cooperation
with preparatory schools, most of which
are public high schools: University of
North Carolina, University Of Pennsyl-
vania, University Of Vermont, Univer.
sity of Utah, Ohio State University,
Cornell University, Washington and
Lee University, University of Texas,
University of Nashville and Vanderbilt
University.
Naturally the state universities have
been foremost among the higher insti-
tltions in this movement, and the pub
lie high schools make up the large ma
jority of the accredited schools in all the
states. There has never been witnessed
a more decided nor more general adj
vance in educational work that that
which has been witnessed during the
last decade in the earnest efforts made
by high schools, colleges and universities
notably in the south and west, by hearty
cooperation, mutual concessions, and
mutual confidence to bridge the gap be-
tween secondary and higher schools.
Coordination has assumed various
forms and will continue to change. But
the workers on both sides are surely
realizing the hopes, verifying the proph-
ecy and exemplifying the patriotism Of
Thomas Jefferson, when he wrote near
the close OF his life eighty years ago "A
system OF general instruction which
shall reach every description of our
citizens, from the richest TO the poorest.
as 1t was the earliest, 80 will IL be the
latest OF all the public concerns with
which shall permit myself TO take an
interest Nor am | tenacious of the
form in which it shall be introduced.
BE that what 1t may, our descendants
will be as wise as we are, and will know
how to amend, and amend It, until II
shall suit their circumstances. Give II
to us then in any shape, and receive for
IL the inestimable boon. the thanks OF
the young and the blessings OF the old
who are past all other service but
prayers for the prosperity OF our coun-
y, and blessings for those who pro-
mote It,"
President Fulton was followed by
Frank j. Barnard, superintendent Of
schools, Seattle, Wash, who read a
thirty minute paper urging the classifi-
cation OF pupils according to ability
Mr.. Bernard said among other things /:
"The discussion and criticism Of the
United States army and the need OF
trained men in our new possessions
suggests the thought that in the admin
istration and organization OF our schools
we may find remedy and a solution.
As school officers we command an army
of l5,C 10000 pupils, but except in a few
instances the plan OF organization is OBJ
solete and inefficient. II is true that
there are from eight 10 TWELVE grades
but generally, mental alertness IL not
considered and the slow are herdGd with
the quick, suppressing the mental ac-
tivities of both. No effort il made 10
enable bright pupil 10 gain time or the
slow one TO have special help We all
admit that for a large number OF our
boys and girls eight years is to- long a
a time for the work below the high
school. The questions OF time and guam
| tity are entirely different factors.
Quantity il the course OF study itself,
while time is the number OF years nee
essary 10 complete il. II, then Ger.
tain factor, quantity is required
for admission 10 the high school, why
not classify the pupilslas 10 enable them
to take the quantity and enter the high
school in the shortest possible time
Such a plan would permit many pupils
TO complete the entire course OF study
in the elementary schools, and take two
years in the high school by the time
they are fourteen years OF age. How
can such plan be put into practica
operation? Stated times for promotion
win not accomplish II. In my opin-
ion the only solution is 10 classify pupils
strictly according 10 abilities, and then
allow them 10 master the quantity IN
J such time as they can do the work
we'll. The only rule necessary % the
complete success Of such a system is
Study the capacities Of the pupil.
> Some minds develop early, othOrs late
} The Ounce OF the class II kept chained
10 the honor pupils may always re-
main Ounce, but II unclaimed, u stud
, led and allowed 20 study under pr0pel
I directions and influence, he may become
l the wonder OF the school, the genius o
\ the age"
The reading OF Mr.. Barnard's papei
was followed by a lively discussion, u
: which many views ON the mode oi th'
e CLASSIFICATION proposed we're advanced.
1 This afternoon was occupied Win hu
meTOus department meetings,nO genera
sessions being held. Al the depart
i ment meetings papers were presente'
l. by the following;
q Elementary Education-C. r. Carroll
= worchester, Mass; Is. G. Gregory