The San Francisco call., 1899-12-31

teachers of the State at Sacramento was by
President Wheeler on the relation OF high
schools to the university.
Since the establishment OF the connection between
the two, by which graduates OF the accredited high
schools enter the university there has been pro-
sressve tendency to shove university work back upon
the schools As the university can dictate the terms
upon which the preparatory school shall be accred-
tied it has practically dictated the curriculum which
is generally so arranged as TO impair the work OF
practical education TO be completed in the high
school, if found to be suited and sufficient for STU
dents who do not intend to take university
This policy may have been we'll enough when the
university needed students but now it has too many
for facilities President Wheeler pointed out that
in the last years the attendance the university
has increased $50 per cent while the income OF the
institution has increased only 70 per cent 1t will be
therefore, that the service required for the well
fare OF the students is crippled by lack OF money to
provide it, and that the State is failing in its duty
AT the same time that this incomplete service in the
university is apparent, there is stopping place"
as President Wheeler calls it, in the high school
course at which student may rest feeling that what
he has acquired up TO that point is complete and
symmetrical equipment for the work in life to which
his tastes his necessities incline him. He must stop
short OF finished training, he must go on through
the university work that is crowded back upon the
high school, in the certainty that when his diploma
carries him into the university he will but add to the
glut caused by the discrepancy between the income
and the demands upon it. There is a resulting in
sulciency which adds to the ranks OF the half Lag
iners and deprives the State of the benefit OF having
its citizens wholly and completely educated and pre-
pared for their duties AS university work has been
crowded into the high schools the proper work OF the
latter bepD NJ cd barl- III
grammar grades, and the legitimate work of these
has been forced back upon the intermediate grades
until the whole common school system has been
turned into siphon with other function than pre-
pairing university material and passing it along Such
system is intensely artificial and does not square
with pedagogic science.
1t is indeed refreshing to all common school teach
to students, parents and taxpayers to hear the
president OF the university declare that 'As the high
school is in the development OF personality
culture course its mission should not be to get stu
dents into the university. Colleges should accept
students who have taken high school course and
should arrange matters accordingly, but it is not un
dignihed in colleges TO teach the beginnings OF
studies Greek German, French and other studies
might well be taught in their beginnings in colleges
thus enabling the higher institutions OF learning to
meet the high schools half way, and weed out from
their curriculum many studies unnecessary to the STU
dent who does not intend taking college course"
This is the most important declaration OF policy and
reform that has been made by State university
president in the United States While the general
public with attention diverted the many issues OF
life, and accustomed accept whatever school policy
MAY be arranged for it, may at once appreciate
the full weight and high importance OF it, all proes
sona educators whether in the public schools or the
college faculties, will hail it the first sign OF
release from great burdens While it means much 70
teachers. it means still more to the generation OF
youth that is in the schools When its recommenda-
tions are adopted, they must be, the common
school will again become what it was intended
to be- culture in the fundamentals OF all edu-
cation which can be common to all. The hectic con-
ditions which have been upon the schools Will pass
away, and better health will flush through the whole
system.