The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13

In opening the discussion OF the high
schools relation to tho college. Professor
r. 2. Gaines said:
ut may seem to some OF those who
arc engaged In secondary education that
tho colleges have been very slow to
establish and maintain entrance e1ami-
nations. But it must be remembered that
until very recently tho facilities for sec
ondary education In the South have been
wholly Inadequate, many large sections
OF the country having no high schools or
academies whatsoever. It was difficult
to require the few students who were In
reach OF schools to remain in them till
they were fully prepared for college with
out doing great injustice to the larger
company OF young men who could not
have such advantages.
In the last year or two, however, some
of the Virginia. colleges have committed
themselves to the policy OF requiring all
students to show by certificate or eN-
animation that they are prepared to do
college work. excepting only those who
are more than twenty years Of ago. and
who enter as special students. While this
will work hardship to some student.
1T Will greatly encourage the establish
ment OF an adequate system OF second
airy education throughout the State. and
will ultimately DO of the greatest bene-
At to the colleges themselves.
It Is the duty OF the academy Or high
school to cultivate in the boy something
OF that seh-control' and spirit OF manlt-
ness which will enable him to enter into
the larger liberty OF college llfe and
profit by 1t. No matter how much Eng
lish and mathematics and Latin boy
may know. IL he Is still in the kinder
garten stage in the matter OF behavior, he
has no sort of business In college. In
fact, there is much more hope OF accom-
plishing something with man who has
almost no scholastic preparation for col
lege. and who has to spend his first year
in laundering around trying to make up
these deflciencies. II he possesses that
command Of himself and manliness of
spirit which Will keep his face in the
right direction.
President BLACKWELL In a vigorous adj
dress, asserted that the State colleges
(and. following their example. tho private
colleges) are running the high schools
by taking boys from them too soon.
The state pays brilliant men to draw
away the sons of the most influential citi-
zens, thus depriving the schools Of their
support and leaving the schools for girls.
Professor Bruce Payne emphasized the
necessity for perspective and for CO.
operaton-for working along large lines
together to meet State conditions.
Aa tho association appointed its officers
Mr.. DdEar sydenstricker. OF Lynchburg;
Mr.. j. C. HARDWOOD and Mr.. G. G, Pear
son. of Richmond-a committee to arrange
program and place for the next meeting.
It is earnestly desired that any one
having suggestions as to either shall
write at once to some member Of this
committee.
Mr., Sydenstricker sends the following:
The organization OF four of the teach
ers' conferences at the educational meet
ing at Richmond into permanent
branches of tho State Teachers Associa-
ton speaks well for tho professional
spirit of Virginia teachers. When the
suggestion to separate for a portion OF
the timo, the annual meeting OF that as
ISOLATION into conferences of workers
in similar grades of work. was made, 1t
was done as an experiment. But al
though the separate conferences were
entirely informal. the results, as shown
in tho attendance enthusiasm, and par
ticipatlon on tho part of the teacher,
were beyond expectation, and there is no
reason why this phase or thu work of
the state Association may not be made
into great force for promoting, the
standard OF teaching.
have been asked to say something
in this connection about the purposes OF
the high school teachers. conference.