The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-29
Should Universities Dominate?

Lately they became affiliated with the
Chicago Federation of Labor. There is
nothing startling i'll these statements,
but it is a practical illustration that
we are. as a writer in Scribner's maya
zine saws. all laborers whether we labor
with hands or brain. In discussing the
attitude of the Chicago Teachers Fedora
ton that official organ of the working
classes. The American Federationist,
brings out the point that there is the
''need of saving the democracy OF the
public schools from the dominance of
the universities" The universities have
been largely successful in an attempt
"to compel the school course to conform
to university requirements, thus max
ing public high schools mere feeders for
universities, instead of being the peoples
universities where the boys and girls OF
the poor could be trained for the real
work of life"
This view of the situation comes from
rather an unexpected source, and the
article in The Federationist has caused
no little discussion in certain circles. The
argument. however, is not new one,
but it has never been put before the peo-
pie so broadly. In Mankato there are
members of the board of education who
will agree with the point taken. There
is feeling among many earnest men
that the high schools should be cut off
from the dominance OF the universities,
that the course OF study should be re-
arranged and that a more practical edu-
cation be given the students. The claim
is made that but very few of the high
school graduates ever reach the universe
ties; that the larger majority of the
young men and women, after leaving the
high schools, go out i'll the world and seek
a livelihood. Leading educators, how
ever, will not agree to a revised high
school course, demanding that the uni
OF this stand boards of education fear to
act There is not one to take the initia
tory step. There are men engaged in
business pursuits, high-minded and
broad-guaged men, who make the claim
that commercial colleges fit out young
men and women far better to cope with
life's work than do the high schools. But
the tendency of the times is to follow the
lead of the universities, the introduction
of fads, so-calIed, and other things con-
considered essential by educators for the
future well-being of the pupils. The So
luton of all these problems lies in the
hands of the educators. Boards of edu-
cation viii not take up the work.
In connection with this discussion the
following from DR.. Irwin Shepard, sec
retray of the National Educational AS
ISOLATION, may be of interest. Mr.. Shop
ard replies to the structures placed upon
the high school course by Congressman
Tawney:
81 read with interest Mr.. Tawney's in
terview | do not think he touched upon
the real cause of the apparent deficiency,
and l certainly do not think that the
Winona high school is especially deficient.
The law for the direct state aid of high
schools which has been in operation now
for twenty years, has had the effect to
build up what may be claimed as the
e inh cfn fa
in the United States, but there have
been some serious limitations in the
course of study. The course has been
formulated by. the state high school
board, which until recently has not repre-
sented in its membership any other in
terest than those of state university.
Naturally under such board the course
has been pre-eminently a college or uni
versity preparatory course. The result
of this is that the university has had a
phenomenal growth, and probably larg-
er proportion of high school graduates
&C to college in Minnesota than from any
other western state. This is excellent
for those whose circumstances enable
them to take higher courses.
"The serious limitations referred to are
that certain common branches usually
found in high schools that aim to fur
nish finishing courses are almost entirely
absent from the high schools of Mime
sofa. For instance, that all important
subjects of United States history is found
III the courses of but few high schools
Geography, which has recently come to
be one of the most profitable subjects
for high school students, is rarely found
In Minnesota high schools. The common
English branches receive little or no
attention. This fact is further empha-
sized by the fact that the state high
school board grants it's certificate of
completion of the common branches to
grammar school pupils, and this has led
to the general estimate by high school
students that common branches are not
worthy place in the high schools since
the state board considered them finished
On grammar school knowledge. The nor
NAL schools of the state have been severe
ly embarrassed in receiving high school
graduates for professional work in the
very low standard of mastery which
these graduates possess of common