The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-03
Requirements For
Virginia High Schools

two rccitations per week. or something
over eight per day AS he has the maxi
mum OF six hours ner day. thirty min.
,ltes minimum length OF xEcitation should
be required. The same ia possible in n
second grade high school when the whole
time OF two teachers Is required, for
there Is a minimum OF forty-sx recita-
lions in high school subjects per week,
or nine per day, and Il maximum OF
twelve hours per day of teaching time.
Here at least thirty minutes, II rne Forty
minutes should be stipulated for the
minimum recitation period. Even In this
case 1t can be caslL' seen that one nd.
ditional branch c1n be taught IN third
grade high school, and three or four nd-
dtlona ones In second grade. besides
leaving time for executive work by tho
principal, which should always be pro-
vded for.
8. SO excellent Is the suggested course
that 1t is hard to see how one can advise
II change In the required work. Yet
while not advising any substitution, 1t
seems that the principle OF "thc greatest
utility to the average Elild'' Is violated
here us 1t has been done for years past
1 refer to the entire lack Of any training
OF the high school pupil In the UNDER
standing and use OF ordinary business
terms and forms. The Ignorance OF wo-
man in this regard Is a standing Joke,
while the young man Is supposed to In
herit such knowledge as II 1t were
natural instinct. while. us a matter OF
fact he has to learn facts OF this nature
often to his disadvantage. I would sug-
gcst. therefore. ut least years course
In business methods. such US Is con-
toined In Teller and Browns Modern
Business Methods" an excellent little
volume which Is on the State list. Sun
better would be, IN addition to this. some
practical training In book-kecping--no
to make expert accountants. but 10 give
an intelligent knowledge Of the keeping
. OF personal and household accounts. To
make the training thorough and OF
greater value to the young Virginian
who, as the tendencies OF the times point
out must be educated to take part IN
the awakening copmcrcnl and indus
trial activity of his state. course III
the fundamental economic laws and facts
OF commerce and banking would be In
valuable But at present the course IN
business forms and methods can be and
should be required in every secondary
school.
with such q course as outlined by the
state Superintendent, properly adopted
State Superintendent, properly adopted
that are now In existence and that are
Swinging into existence. we may look
confidently to the future for a reyou-
ton In our public school system. The
high school is the link between the pri-
mary schools and the colleges which has
been lacking in the past to- the serious
dctriment OF both classes OF institutions.
What remains for the superintenoenls.
principals, and teachers Is 70 EN- phhsll ~
the intensive side OF education, to attain
thoroughness. to obtain real results, and
modify the course when it is put into
onerni,on more at the demand OF THOR
OUGHNEsS than at the suggestion OF
half-formed there's at the hands OF rad.
dists. To do this you must nolo VIVA.
for what aid the future will contribute
in educational principles.
EDGAR SYDENSTR1CkER,
Teacher OF History in Lynchburg High
School.