The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-23
THINK COEDUCATION
UNWISE IN SCHOOLS
School, Board Special Commit
tee on Course of Study So
Declares Itself

At the instance of its special COM
mittee on course of study, the board of
school inspectors yesterday went on,
record against coedueation, declaring
that while a great many of the people
who We're heard from on the subject
favored the plan that has long been in
force in many of the public schools of
the United States, there are stronger
arguments in favor of the other side.
1T is noticeable says the report,
that the arguments favoring coedu-
cation were facts and theories that are
by no means conclusive. The real
ground of objection is not that girls
cannot do the prescribed work, or that
there is danger from indiscriminate
association, or that it tends to make
boys less manly and girls less woman
ly, but rather that it is most unwise
to prescribe identical work for boys
and girls, as if they were mentally en-
dowed alike and would be called upon
to perform the same life work"
Having pointed out what most peo-
pie consider the great objections to CO.
education, 1T is declared that boys and
girls may be educated under the same
roof, assemble in the same halls, go to
and from school together, and yet more
safely and wisely than at present re-
cite in separate classes, having differ.
ent courses of study and different
teachers" AS solution of the ques-
ton, and without offering an argu-
ment in favor of this view," it is rec
commended by the board that 'Ein the
construction of new high schools the
possibilities of the arrangement will
be considered and provided for"
No German in Grades
committee, which was adopted, that
it is not practicable at this time to
change the course of study in the
schools, the Introduction of German in
the grade schools, for which there has
been much agitation, being therefore
denied. AS to the agitation in favor
of changes in the course of study for
the grades the report says;
There was demand that the es-
sentlaL studies should receive more at
tention, and that thoroughness and ac-
curacy should be insisted upon as essen
tlal. These statements were made by
citizens, many OF them well acquainted
With the work of our schools. Some of
the principals also, spoke of the amount
of required work as excessive, and ex-
pressed the belief that the children were
hurried too rapidly from subject to sub
ject thereby causing mental worry and
nervous arrangement. However, it is
worthy Of attention that neither citizens
necessary, nor asked that they be dropped
from the course of study. While GER
tain results were asked for by both, the
way to secure them except by the pres
ent plan, was not definitely pointed out.
Stand for Mass instruction
The suggestion of a number of
teachers that if each instructor is giv-
en- a fewer number of pupils the result
will be beneficial in cases where in6i-
vidual instruction is needed, is answer
ed with the assertion that "the educa-
ton of the masses must call for mass
instruction. and that the theory Of in
dividual instruction, carried success
fully to it's logical conclusion, would
necessarily destroy the public SYSTEM"
as the taxpayers would revolt against
the greatly increased cost Of mainte-
nance.
1t is held that the board is not pre-
pared to drop any study now required
in the grades, nor change the system Of
promotion from grade to grade and
from the grades to the high school,
holding that the pupil should be ready
to enter the high school at fourteen, "and
that neither thoroughness nor accura-
cy would be secured by holding him
back, assuming he has made suitable
-
fore decreed as the best possible rem
edy of alleged inadequacy of instruc-
ton that the following minor changes
be made:
1: That it be ordered that a change in
the progremme of exercises in each room
be made; SO that weekly, rather than a
daily unit shall control in the assignment
or subjects and lessons.
Recommend Individual Schools
q The establishment of individual
| schools, in the large buildings, for the
purpose of caring for those who, for
regular room, under the general arrange
ment.
8. Departmental work in such build
ings as offer suitable facilities for it. in
grades six to eight. Inclusive
4 That a certain classification of al
lled studies, under some arrangement of
alternating recital tons, whereby the work
would be properly unified and rendered
more lntelligtble and practical, be au-
s. That industrial training be extend
ed gradually to all of the schools of the
city.
Coming to the consideration of
teachers. it is held that it is most de-
sirable to- change teachers occasionally
from grade to grade, in order that the
deadening effects Of routine and repe-
tition may be greatly reduced. Ali
grades should be treated as of equal
rank and Importance and a transfer
from lower to a higher should not
be regarded as a promotion, nor from
a higher to a lower, as a demotion.'
Itsis held that pupils who have been
| admitted to the high schools should be
sent back to the grades at any time
| during the first year of the course that
| their deficiency is discovered.
ST. MICHAEL'5 SCHOOL