The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
The Needs of
Our High Schools
FourTt Paper Reviewing the Discussions in the Recent
Conference Here.

In opening the discussion OF the high
schools relation 70 the college. Professor
r T. Gaines said:
IT may seem 20 some OF those who
are engaged n secondary education that
the colleges have been very slow 70
establish and maintain entrance exarni-
nations. But It must Do remembered that
until very recently the facilities FOR sec
onoary education n the South have been
wholly inadequate. many large sections
OF tho country having no high schools or
academies whatsoever. u was difncult
10 require the Jew students who We're IN
reach OF schools 70 remain in them TN
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 10 the policy % requiring all
students 70 show by certificate or ex-
animation that they are prepared to do
college work. excepting only those who
are more than twenty years OF age. and
who enter as special students. While this
will work hardship 70 some student.
II VIII greatly encourage the establish
ment OF an adequate system OF second
airy education throughout the State. and
viii ultimately be Of the greatest bene-
1T 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 rnanli-
ness which will enable him TO enter into
the larger liberty OF college life. and
profit by K. No matter how much Eng
lish and mathematics and Latin a boy
may know. II he is stin 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-
piishing something with a man who has
almost no scholastic preparation for col
lege. and who has to spend his first year
in laundering around trying 10 make up
these deficiencies. n ne possesses that
command Of himself ana manliness Of
spirit which will keep his face in the
right direction.
President Blackwell. IN a vigorous ad-
dress. asserted that the State colleges
and. following their example the private
coleges) 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.
operation-for working along large lines
together to meet State conditions.
sAS tho association appointed It's OftcerS-
Mr.. Ddgar sydenstricker. OF Lynchburg:
Mr.. J. c. Harwood and Mr. c. G. Pear
son. Of Richmond-a committee to arrange
program and place for the next meeting.
II Is earnestly desired that any one
having suggestions as 70 either shall
write at once 70 some member OF this
committee
Mr.. Sydenstricker sends the following:
The organization OF four OF the teach
ers' conferences at tho educational meet
ing at Richmond into permanent
branches OF the state Teachers Associa-
tion speaks we'll for the professional
spirit OF Virginia teachers. When the
suggestion 10 separate for a portion OF
the time. tho annual meeting OF that as
sociation into conferences Of workers
I'm similar grades or work. was made. Il
was done as an experiment But al
though the separate conferences were
entirely informal. the results. as shown
I'm tho attendance, enthusiasm. and par
ucipatiOn on the part OF the teacher
were beyond expectation. and there Is no
reason why this phase or tia work or
the state Association may not he made
into a 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