New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-28
UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION
PLAN OF JOINT COLLEGE ENTRANCE
BOARD DISCUSSED-CLOSE OF
THE SESSION.
THE SESSION

organization and plans or the Joint COllege En-
trance Board for the Middle States and Maryland
This report in pursuance of a resolution Of the
Association Of Colleges and Preparatory Schools
in the Middle States and Maryland acting under
which the conference OF May u. 1900 at Columbia
University formulated a plan for the establishment
Of a College Entrance Examination Board en-
powered to outline course of teaching and scheme
of examination suitable test for admission to
college.
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia Uni
versity, New-York City, presented the report with
an explanation. He said that one Of the great
practical problems Of secondary education had pro-
ceeded from the stage OF discussion TO that OF &C
tion and the principal of cooperation between in
situations OF similar class had been established
He then sketched the action OF the Trenton meet
ing and the Columbia conference. together with
the report and agreement upon uniform college
entrance requirements. This had been sent to all
the colleges and all but had accepted the plan
and agreed to recognize the Board and accept It's
certificates. 1t would result in the abolition Of the
separate college examination in time. but at pres
ent each college would receive and accept as many
of the students certificates from the Board as
covered the subjects in its prescribed entrance
test but would still have full liberty to require
other qualifications. The plan does not go so far
to bind the colleges to admit those who have
passed the Boards examination. but merely to
show the result of the uniform test. The college
has the same liberty to admit or reject the stu
dent whose examination in any study is marked as
poor or very poor. The scheme, he thought, would
on the secondary schools.
THE REPORT DISCUSSED
The presentation of this report followed by
discussion. led by Supervisor Frank II. Wood OF
the Department Of Public Instruction, who said
that the uniform examination plan would probably
prove a convenience, but was not necessarily a
panacea or specific remedy for the evils II
would not relieve the smaller schools and acade-
sentaton. The Board would be college board
1t was not asked that the colleges should fix the
Ot i'm
The scheme would exclude the village academy.
for college course. It was important to encour-
age country boys to win a college education. IL
would be a public calamity when every school
should be stretched or shrunk to a certain meas
ure and every pupil chiselled after certain model
Whlch model is the stillborn child of college theo
DR. Mckenzie. of the Elmira Free College. fol-
lowed with the statement that he advan-
cised the small representation given secondary
sch9ols on the Board by the Butler scheme. 1t
and make practical college monopoly.
sa Pr t 9: D. Robns0H Of the Albany High school
old not think 1t could be put operation pres
was one Of great fitting schools %SiIe tbe bfg6
schools receive little consideration Little has been
village and city high schools Still he thought bows
there would always be colleges for them t TO eo to
even If not able TO meet all the requirements OF
Dr; Edward King of Fort Edward Institute
continued the debate in opposition to the Butler
would not be given 1p p'a' u INC
FroIessor Heberman, Of New-York, declared that
the prospective coercion of the plan was mistake.
II uniformity was so necessary legally constituted
matter and prosecute, far this sraIe is CON
cePned. the courses or examination tests.
Dr. Butler and said that the uniform board would
produce better state Of affairs.
DIR. BUFFERS ARGUMENT.
Dr. Butler in defence of his plan. declared that
fitting for college only an incident Of the
secondary school At present colleges resented the
interference Of secondary schools and con-
suited with them to their entrance exanina ton
requirements. Hence. any representation Of the |
schools is a gain. 1t necessary TO |
have colleges represented the Board which.
when they move, have influence. There was no time
to waste on institutions which when something was
to be done cannot do that something. 1t was not
a demand for a uniformity to stretch Cypress |
any school person. because It was a uniformity
Of subject 1t the influential step in the
of higher education. II brings a |
great group of colleges to the point of view of
secondary schools
The programme was continued by President !
Thomas Hunter of the New-York Normal College |
who spoke the subject OF defects in high schools
from the college point of view. He said he had |
noted defects the lack of uniformity in courses
Of study, the admission Of students without exami-
nation principals certificate. and the admis-
sion 10 high schools of the precocious weakling |
child No child under fourteen should be admitted
to a high school, with without an examination
The Regents should have power to prescribe uni
form course for high schools
George f. Merrill the new president Of Colgate
continued this phase of the discussion, and found
fault with the high schools for lack of uniformity
N study courses the indehniteness of preparation
which prevented proper grading In the colleges
ana the lack Of proper training in English. which
had compelled Colgate to Insist on a special ex-
animation in English before naturalization.
college defects from the high school point OF view
were pointed out by Principal Charles w Evans OF
Elmira, and Superintendent Darwin 1. BardweH OF |
binshamton Mr. Evans said the high schools had
been for years in the position of the farmer who
goes to the merchant and asks what the merchant
Is paying for produce. and then for what he is
selling the goods the farmer wants. Colleges were
extending the principle of election to un5ergradu-
ates Why not extend it to the secondary schools
and the college entrance requirements?
He suggested high and complete preparation |
Tor the ordinary social and business life as for
entrance TO colleges and the abolition of the special
courses required in secondary schools for admission
TO colleges The student who is fitted to go on with |
life should also be sufficiently educated to enter |
college.
Mr. BardweIl said his speech had been rnade but |
made the point that the college student was |
eft too much to the inferior instruction OF tutors
His respect for teachers fades. The system of /
giving the best professors and instructors TO the
freshmen. he urged. should be made more general
n colleges.
PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION
Concerning systematic individual instruction, Pro
essor Fl. De F. Smith. of Bowdoin College was
commissioned speak so far as II relates 20 the
college; Superintendent John Kennedy. of Batavia
Us 1t touched the elementary and secondary schools
md President William j. Milne OF the State Nor
nal College at Albany. from the point OF view
II the professional school
Professor Smith said it a problem how the
college instructor should get at the individual
student. 1t is not strange that colleges should be
termed respectable loaing places The systematic !