Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-11
GREAT SCHOOL TOPICS.

Superintendent OF the National Edu-
cational Association to be held IN
Washington. d. c.. on Feb. %, 26 and
n, 1t is proposed to give n prominent
place to considering the various in
dustries in public education.
Among the propositions announced
for discussion are: "a that the ideals
OF a democracy require a system of
public education that shall provide
equal educational opportunity for all;
(2) that equality of opportunity can be
secured only by proper recognition OF
(O individual differences in native ca
pacities and In social environment Cb)
the requirements of vocational effici-
ency as well as of (c) general intelli-
gence and executive power: (3) that
the most urgent need of our educational
system is an adequate provision for
the vocational needs of children destin-
ed for industrial and domestic pur-
suits; (D that a comprehensive pro-
gram of industrial education requires
(a) constructive activities as an es
sential and important factor in the ele-
diate Industrial high schools, admitting
children at the sixth school year and
equipping them for Industrial pur-
suits, (c) technical high schools for the
training of Industrial leaders.
Some of the leading educators of
America are to participate in the pre-
sentation or discussion OF these topics.
Tho purpose is evident. The great
teachers recognize the value of train
ing in which all children shall have an
equal chance of success. Many child,
though of bright mind and vigorous
mentality, does not take kindly to pres
ent school courses. Many fail therein,
and then straightway become the
brainiest and most successful men and
women of business. trade, mechanism,
and other affairs. Some who miss half
the public school courses far excel those
who take all of them. These results
are so frequent that they cannot be
but rather to certain inherent weak
nesses in the public school courses.
What the leading educators now pro-
pose is to give TO the child who is not
mainly intellectual an opportunity to
learn things that will prepare him for
service In the lines In which he can do
well. If the child Is not primarily ln-
tellect of certain type, he will not
excel in school courses as now organ
lied. II he is mainly of the volitional
or motor type, the door of opportunity
which the schools are supposed to open.
is practically closed to him.
We note also an address to be given
by the assistant secretary Of agrlcul-
ture. II is thus designated: "Agrlcul-
tural Industries and Home Economics
In the Public Schools"
Other topics equally significant deal
with the preparation of teachers for
agricultural education. Hon. James
Wilson, Secretary OF Agriculture, and
Elmer Ellsworth Brown, United States
Commissioner of Education, are to pre-
sent this tonic.
The training OF teachers by agricui-
tural colleges, by state normal schools
by a corporation between these two
and by cooperation OF the national gov
eminent and the states in maintaining
specialists in agricultural education for
field work-these subjects constitute
another phase of the program.
The bare enumeration of these topics
is sufficient TO show what is going on
In the national Consciousness in rela-
ton to the aims. materials and methods
OF the training that ought 10 be given
in the public schools. Such programs
emphasize views but recently express
ed by this paper.
II would seem that state normal
schools either with or without the help
OF state agricultural colleges, must
provide for the teachers the kind OF
training which they are in turn ex,
peoted to impart to their pupils In the
public schools.
In the face OF this drift OF public
educational tendencies. 1t Is novel to
hear that a college In Illinois has an-
nounced that agriculture cannot be
successfully taught In the common
schools. And it is, no doubt, perfect
ly true that such agriculture as Is
taught In the agricultural colleges can
not, on account Of It's completely. it's
scientific and practical difficulties, ana
rs somewhat prosaic and. to children,
uninyiting aspect, very well be taught
In elementary schools
10 adapt this complex science ana
art TO the capacities OF the child mind.
to grade II into a uniformly ascending
scale, 10 bring out sharply IT'S simpler
aud more basic principles, and TO dis
play IN the most attractive light its
more beautiful and fascinating phases
AL this win have TO be worked out
IN the normal schools, and viii require
the best teachers TO adapt 4 TO the
'"''''ns = class room iDsiTpgion and