The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-12-04

places during school hours without
lawful occupation" even if he can
produce a certificate of attendance.
~ Any child who cannot produce
certificate of attendance as required
in Section 2, even if he does not lott
er about public places, provided it is
within IL weeks of the close of the
school year. (3) also any truant
child who absents himself or herself
from school," which Is construed to
mean any one from seven to fourteen
years who remains away from school
or leaves school when he is expected
to attend, by the parent or guardian
or other person having him under con-
troll"
We have received an unusual numa
Der of communications relating to edu-
cational matters now under considera-
ton among school teachers and per-
sons interested in education. If ques-
tons of what has been and what is,
in school economics, is a sign of pro-
gress then the schools are entering
upon an epoch of great growth and
improvement.
Prof. Frederick E. Bolton of the
State University writes, Il am of the
opinion that many important changes
will soon take place in school organ
ization Gncluding the elementary, Sec
ondary, and collegiate) and desire to
obtain a few opinions from those who
are especially interested in the high
school work" Mr.. Bolton asks for
opinions concerning the ACCESSIBILITY
of extending the hign school courses
in towns of 10000 or more so as to
cover a part Of the college course for
which colleges and universities might
give credit, year for year, the extra
work in the high school to be consid-
cred as post graduate work. Of course
many questions grow out Of this, as
for instance, the effect of such plan
Ieges; the expense of adding this work
to the usual high school course; how
the added expense should be met,
whether by tuition fees, local tax or
state aid: whether parents would pre-
fer to send their children away to
school or have them do post graduate
work at home; whether larger num-
Der would finish the college course,
etc.
without seriously discussing the
question at this time we wish to say
that, in our judgment, the high schools
nave already undertaken quite enough.
Four years of academic or high school
training, following the grammar
grades, is time enough to meet the
of majority whether as
a preparation for higher schools or for
some useful employment. Many high
school pupils find it difficult to COM
plete the four years course because
of a necessity for earning something
to add to the family income. II high
scnool work is intensified as it ought
to be, four years study should serve as
no mean preparation for the duties OF
life. At least it should indicate pretty
clearly whether there would be growth
and profit in more schooling. The
money required to continue the high
scnool course a year or two longer
would bring larger returns and to
greater number IL employed in enrich
ing the high schools as they are now
organized, by providing better IL
braries and other equipments or by
providing industrial instruction for
the large number who would profit by
it. Aside from this town with
good college in its midst, such as ours,
Gas no reason for extending its high
school course beyond four years.
Another letter asks for opinions con-
c ming the attempted dictation by
Iowa colleges to secondary schools as
to form and extent Of course required
for college admission and credit"
whether there shall be compromise.
cooperation or secession" We have
80 4kn& arvav.xy villa ca Or city