El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-13

vital i'm pOrtauce that we place DeIOre
the child such lives and such examples
as we would have him initiate.
"Having thus outlined as the re-
quisites of an ideal character good
health, sound body, thoroughly
trained intellect, keen sensibility, pure
motives and we'll developed will, l
should add but one other requirement,
a lofty ideal, with sympathy and love
for humanity"
Prof. Sydney T. Skidmore of the
Philadelphia Normal school followed
with q paper on.evolution aud ethics.
While the foregoing addresses were
being listened to and discussed by the
teachers assembled in Hazards Pavil-
ion, an equally interesting program
was carried doutinSimpson's Tabernacle,
where the general session was presided
over by E. B. McElroy of the Universi-
ty of Oregon.
The first speaker in the Tabernacle
was President Robert B. Fulton of the
University OF Mississippi, who took as
his subject, "Growth of confidence be-
tween high schools and colleges" Pres
ident Fulton spoke in part as follows:
"There has never been witnessed
more decided nor more general ad-
vance in educational work than that
which has been witnessed during the
last decade in the earnest efforts made
by high schools, colleges and universi-
ties, notably in the south and west, by
hearty cooperation, mutual conces-
sions, and mutual confidence to bridge
the gap between 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 prophecy, and exemplify.
ing 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 des-
cription of our citizens, from the rich
est to the poorest, ss it was the earli-
est, so will it be latest of all the pub
lie concerns with which 1 shall permit
myself to take an interest.
President Fulton was followed by
Frank J. Barnard, superintendent of
schools, Seattle, WASH, who read a
thirty minute paper urging the CLASH |
fcstion of pupils according to ability. |
Mr.. Barnard said among other things: |
SIT is true that there are from eight |
to twelve grades, but generally, mental |
slertness is not considered, and the |
slow are herded with the quick, sup |
prossino tho naptol actiuifias of both 4
No effort is made to enable q bright
pupil to gain time or the slow one to
have special help.
"If certain quantity is required fer |
admission to the high school, why not
classify the pupils as to cradle them to
take the quantity and enter the high |
school in the shortest possible time?
Such 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 prac-
tical operation? Stated times for pro-
motion will not accomplish it. In my
opinion the only solution is to classify |
pupils strictly according to abilities,
and then allow them to master the |
quan tity in such time as they can do
the work we'll"
The reading of Mr.. Barnard's paper |
was followed by lively discussion in |
which many views on the mode of |
proposed were advanced. |
This afternoon was occupied with |
numerous department meetings, no
general sessions being held.
Charleston will probably be the next |
place.