The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-08
SCHOOL AS SOCIAL CENTER
Discussed by National Council-Important Resolution
Bearing on Taxation Is Passed.

them to CO. operate in the work for
righteousness.
Other means by which the Hesperia
movement might be extended were liter
ary clubs, which should be allowed to
meet in the schoolroom; school libraries
and their natural sequel, reading rooms;
concerts and entertainments; travelling
art collections; sewing. millinery and
housekeeping clubs for the girls. In all
these features the people must be en-
couraged to work for themselves; every
individual should be persuaded to enter
the clubs and work comparatively, not
asked to sit and listen to lectures.
Objection had been made to this feat
ure of the school, said Mr.. Lang, on the
ground that it would weaken family ties:
The speaker contended, however, that in
bringing out the members of a family to-
gether in a public meeting, and giving
them common purpose to work for, the
family tie would be strengthened, not
weakened, and common unihcation
would be established.
Social Center Idea.
THE Philosophy of the Theory of the
School as a Social CeSnter'' was discussed
by John Dewey, head of the department
Of philosophy and education In the Uni
versity of Chicago. Professor Dewey re-
ferred to the growing demand for social
life in the schools, and traced the evolu-
| tion of education from the original train
ing in the family circle, through the phil
osophic schools of antiquity, thence to the
time when tie church was the survivor Of
public education. Since then the state
had assumed charge of this work, and the
present public schools were the result.
With this transfer of the control of edu-
cation from the church to the state came
the theory of education a means OF
preparation for citizenship in the politi-
cal sense. Later the community idea had
again asserted itself and it was recog-
nized that preparation for citizenship in
cluded training in the duties of family
life and in the qualities which fit the
child for commercial life. Hence the de-
mand for a wider scope to the schools,
for something more than mere intellec-
tual training. To-day this demand is crys-
| tallized in desire to make the school a
social center. In this demand the result
of four factors could be seen
First-The bringing of people closer to-
gether by better and cheaper facilities
for transporta ation. The school must take
advantage of the opportunities afforded
in this manner and must avoid the dan
gers attaching. The school was a potent
factor in the assimilation of the various
| races which were pouring into America.
| Second-With these increasing means
| of intercourse had come a relaxation of
| the old social ties. While this would
| strengthen again eventually, it resulted
| for the present in an increase of bolster
! BUSINESS, flippancy and hoodlumsm and a
| decrease in reverence. means must
be sought to counteract this tendency.
Third-The intellectual is much more
closely connected with the other affairs Of
life than it has been in any other period
of the worlds history. The various
| branches of study are recognized as hav-
ing direct connection with daily life.
Fourth-Under present conditions a de-
mand has arisen for the continuance OF
instruction through long periods of time,