Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-11-03
TRAINING SCHOOL NOTES.

Mr. Wells gave the school an account
on Monday, of his attendance, Friday
and Saturday, at great conference on
Secondary Education at Northern Uni
versity, Evanston, ILL., The occasion
was the celebration of the 30th ami
versary of the installation of DIR. Fisk
as principal of the Northwestern Uni
versity Acadamy. Within that tinae
over 1000 students have matricpiated
in that academy. 1t seemed a fitting
time to challenge the courses and
methods of secondary schools to ascer-
tain progress made and changes needed
while giving due recognition of the
Professors distinguished services.
Five principal topics were discussed,
viz:
|. What is the place and function of
the endowed academy or of the private
high school for boys or girls in our pres
ent system of education
H. What is the true function of the
free public high school?
LII. What is the effect of the system
of accrediting schools by the Universi-
ties up the high school and its develop
ment?
". What may the public high school
do for the moral and religious training
of its pupils
" Some serious defects in cur high
school system. r.
Ia Too many women teachers.
(b) Growing encroachment Of the de-
mands of social life upon serious study
(c) Growing tendency to initiate the
characteristic features of college life;
fraternities, development of competa-
tive sports, etc.
Persons prominent in the work of
secondary and higher education from
the Atlantic to the Missouri had been
selected to lead the discussion; four for
the first topic; eight for the second four
each for the third and fourth, and three
| for the fifth, to be followed by a general
| discussion That the discussion was
broad, thorough and earnest goes with
| out saying
Twenty-six states were represented
| in the conference, among them Wiscon-
sin with dozen or more representa-
| tives.
The anniversary Grafton Friday even
ing by Hon H. S. Boutell, Member OF
Congress and a graduate of the acad-
emy and university entitled Our Pub
| lie High Schools: The Training School
of Good Citizens was scholarly, witty
and inspiring address
A searching analysis of present con-
ditions while recognizing need of i'm
I provement discloses much that is ex
cellent and is prophetic of greater good
/ to come. The tone of the discussions
| was highly optimistic. The high
| schools ere more truly the peoples
college han is generally realized and
as such should be more generously sup
| ported Only about per cent. of the
| pupils OF common schools enter them
and of these about 10 per cent. graduaLs
| annually, and yet the Industrial anC
commercial success of che nation, no
to mention its political existence or thu
larger life, depend upon the high edu
cation of it's children. Great emphasi
was laid upon the influence of the sec
ondary schools upon Germany's mar
velous industrial and commercial de
ve1opment.
improvements suggested were the in
PRODUCTION of manual training and othe
| exercises to enlist the activities of tn
pupils and thus hold them longer il
school; the free transportation of pupil
in cities where long distances must b.
traversed; financial aid to those unabl
to attend because of the need of thei
service at home; the extension of tn
high school course two years, enablin!
pupils to acquire complete education a
home. To accomplish this private o
public endowment of high schools is re
quisite, the necessity for which was co
gently argued.
The suitability of the place, delight
full weather, perfection of arrangement
boundless hospitality, cordial greeting
and fraternal spirit combined to max
a most pleasant and profitable meeting