The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-02-20
Give the Youngsters a Chance.

school at Williamsport is a move
in the right direction. Under
this system every student in the
Ligher grades is given a voice in
the government of the schools
so far as it's discipline is concern
ed, and works with the instruc-
tors in making rules and regula
tions which are deemed advisable
He also takes an active part in
seeing that they are enforced
Though not an honor system, so
called, the pupil is given a great
measure of the responsibility for
his own conduct, and it is for this
responsibility that telling results
are expected.
This system is, it seems to us,
one of the best preparations pos
sibly for useful citizenship. In
too many schools of even the high
er grades the pupil is tied down
with rules and regulations of a
teachers making and is given alb
solutely no chance to show what
he can do in the way of governing
himself, and goes out from the
schools poorly prepared to take
his part in the government of the
Nation. Many, in fact the great
er majority of students in the
public schools, go directly from
their text books into some busi-
ness or trade. They have no
chance after they leave school to
acquaint themselves with the
practical workings of the govern
ment except as it is given to them
secondhand, and too often they
are led into dangerous channels.
Some form of discipline such as
that in the Williamsport schools
would in a great measure correct
this fault in the education of our
children.
To the many who go from
school to college, the system
would prove of inestimable value.
If such a plan was general in our
public schools we think the ques.
tion of lowdyism among college
students would solve itself. A
student who has learned to gov.
ern him self in his home school,
where, TO all practical intents and
purposes, he is left much upon
his own responsibility, would on
entering college, find little temp
tation in the free life of the insti.
tuition where he is left to do as
he pleases. The wild exuberance
which many young men feel when
they get where they can not dc
as they please, would be lessenec
materially, and the first two years
which many college student spent
foolishly in becoming accustomed
to the new responsibility would
/ be saved to them.
To the poor over-worked teach
er, also, this new system should
come as a god send. Much of the
worry and arduous work connect
ed with the lives of these patient
toilers would be lessened if the
plan were generally adopted. We
have not the slightest doubt, too,
that parents would welcome such
an innovation. Every man likes to
think that his child is capable OF
accepting responsibility such as
this system carries.
To some students this plan will
| prove Of no benefit. Some must
be governed with the rod, and
that well laid on. Provision could
De made for these. But these
cases are vastly in the minority
and it is not right that the tastes
and wishes Of the many should
be curtailed on account of the
baser tendencies of the few. TC
every boy and girl of high ideas
the petty rules of school have al
ways been CALLING, and we are
sure that these, of whom there
are many throughout the State
would gladly welcome the adop
ton Of some such system ar theil
own schools and profit by it.
Give the youngsters a chance
The Last Heard OF 1t.