New-York tribune., 1899-06-29
THE TEXT BOOK QUESTION
ITS VARIOUS PHASES AND THE DANGER
Gus TENDENCIES IT HAS ASSUMED.
sr. CLAIR M'KELwAy's FoRcIBLE REMARKS BE.
FORE THE UNIVERSITY coNvocAT1oN-REso
LUrIoNs ON UNIFIcArIoN OF sYs-
TENS PASSED
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

sion adopted resolution to-day intended to
bring about the appointment Of a State Com
mission TO draw up a bill 10 unity the school
systems Of the State. DR.. ST. Clair McKelway,
OF Brooklyn, Regent Of the University. acted as
chairman to-day.
The committee appointed yesterday. consist
ang OF Professor II. P. Warren, Of Albany: Pro-
sessor James E Russell. OF New-York; President
William J. Milne, OF Albany: Charles T. An
6rews. OF Seneca Falls, and Danforth E. Aims
worth Deputy Superintendent OF Public Instruc-
ton submitted the following resolution, which
was unanimously adopted without debate:
Resolved That this Convocstion request the
Governor to name an honorary commission.
representative OF the various educational inter
ests OF the State. which shall consider ways and
means OF unifyng the present educational sys-
tens, and give such assistance as the Statutory
Revision Commission may desire in the prepara-
tion Of bill 10 be submitted TO the Legislature
at the opening Of the next session.
Arthur Marvin. principal If the Schenectady
Cn.on Classical Institute. vas the first speaker
To-day. his subject being Should Colleges Ac-
eept More Electives for Entrance?" He pointed
out that the Harvard College faculty favored
offering a choice OF electives at the entrance
examinations. although the Board Of Overseers
had not yet approved OF this scheme. The stu
dent was TO be given a chance to select for him
self the studies which he would follow in his
college course He could take Greek or Latin in
ancient languages. and French or German in
modern languages. AS a high school man. the
speaker deprecated the present conditions gov
srning entrance 10 college Colleges had too
many varied conditions for entrance. II the
entrance requirements could be made more
Uniform. or at least easier OF accomplishment
for a high school student. IL would be highly
desirable. Much Of the time Of high school
principals was taken up in discovering what
should be done 10 prepare various students for
sollege. There should. If possible. be uniform
requirements.
ADVANTAGES OF ELECTIVE SYSTEM.
Thomas O. Baker. principal Of the Yonkers
High School. said he thought no one doubted
The wisdom Of the elective system. But all COL
eges did not have It.
we are living in an age Of specialization, :"
be said and we cannot have specialization
without having a choice OF studies. I think It
would be a crime. therefore to require all stu
dents TO follow the same course In preparing for
college" The day not far distant, he de-
slared when 80 per cent OF the college students
Eould come from the high schools. He believed
here was as much culture in reading the Ger
man text as a Latin text, and II would be far
nore valuable in a commercial sense.
II DO not try to keep UP my Greek" he SAID
hnor do keep UP my Latin. But German is
another matter. One is able to read modern
books by its means. If boy has bent for
science. let him study science; and he can be
considered a cultured man even If he does not
understand Latin or Greek A scientific man
who appreciates the beauty OF the earth Is Just
hs cultivated one who can appreciate the
English classics" He thought the Regents
Elective the best system. There should be a
pertain prominence given to modern languages.
He was loath to recommend the dropping OF
Greek in secondary schools. but unless there
vas a good teacher OF Greek in these schools It
hight well be left TO the first two years in col
jese. He wished more prominence could be
given TO science. This was a scientific age.
Vassar and Wellesley required three languages
Tor entrance examinations. He would prefer to
have two languages and one examination in
science He would like to have more attention
given to history. A boy must come to college
aeeply versed in classical language but not in
American history. But American history was
bot thoroughly taught in college The student
Should be equipped 10 meet modern conditions
More attention should be given TO the English
aassics. English literature should not be made
An elective study; It should be required for four
Fears.
TWO POINTS OF VIEW.
Regent McKelway said he thought the cues
Hon Of electives should not be considered wholly
nom the point OF view Of the college, but also
rom the point Of view OF the boy or girl The
>oys or girls choice Of electives should be con-
Gdered, although not absolutely. How far could
! pupil be taken arbitrarily forward and when
nould bis own judgment be considered?
Principal Goodrich OF the Utica High School
laid the college influence had great power over
he high schools The chief reason for electives
was individuality. Groups Of pupils could not
be dealt with successfully in mass The ind-
s1dual was the valuable item. Yet the pupil
must be given limited choice, for he must not
be permitted TO drift into the study Of easy
things. There was host OF pupils who were
graduated from the high schools who had done
great deal Of useless work. OF work for which
hey had no aptitude and no liking. The amount
n mental training should be substantially even
n each study. boy or girl seeking admission
to college should have gone through the same
amount OF disciplinary effort in any series of
Studies he or she may have pursued. The col
eges did not make preparation for the reception
b. students those lines. The elective sub
Iects must be balanced against each other He
suggested that commission. composed OF the
representatives of the colleges and OF the high
Schools be appointed TO frame a we-guarded
Uniform system OF electives
Professor White. Of Cornell University, said
that by colleges was not meant technical
schools There were several groups Of colleges
which had the elective system developed. The
Harvard scheme Of electives had already been
adopted by many colleges Stanford University
had such four years system. His own opinion
Of this extension Of the elective system was that
il was unfortunate However at Stanford Uni
rersity the pupils generally followed the old
system with absolute freedom OF selection and
concentrated their effort. At Cornell University
there was an elective system after the first year