The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-30

the defect. Others call attention Il
the need Of music. Here and there ri.
file practice and military drill are in.
troduced in to the public schools fol
the purpose of arousing interest AL
are usually agreed that we need better
teachers, teachers with more inspira-
ton and more training in the field
of the college 1t is demanded that g
reorganization OF courses, particularly
as applied to freshmen and sophomeres
should be brought about, and that II
more emphasis were placed upon the
life of students, upon their moral and
social activities, remarkable results
would be produced. Numerous asso-
Citations have been organized, some
during rhe past year, that have fol-
their purpose specific aims, the bring
ing together OF persons especially inter-
ested in some one topic, but in most
cases the result Of such organizations
is an over-emphasis of special plans
and special schemes in the organiza-
tions is an overemphasis 70 educational
work.
It must be remembered, however
there Is natural limit to many Of these
things, that 1t is impossible in the
time allotted to the schools to give
the broad, large training that is now
being called for from many sides. The
public schools have the pupil five OF
six hours in the day, the home and the
street have them the rest OF the time
1t must therefore be expected that the
responsibility should be shared with the
school by the home and by the munic-
ina IN, ~
pupil lives. In all of these plans and
suggestions for improvement ne per-
sonailty of the teacher is the greatest
factor and must always be the greatest
element in the instruction of youth.
Record for Constructive Work.
But despite the criticism that has
been so marked In the past year, there
perhaps has never been a year In the
history Of education whel more con-
structive work has been done. In
creased emphasis has been placed up
on public health, and especially upon
the health Of school children. The
National Health Association of Amer
lea has secured the attention OF con-
gress and has attempted to interest
thousands of people throughout the
a national asset. In addition to this
general movement, here and there spec
ial attention has been given to school
children and attempts made through
medical examination to ascertain de-
fects before the.' have reached the
stage Of being incurable. Under the
principle of the medical examination OF
school children many a child will be
saved to the future in its mental and
physical power, with a resultant i'm
crease of benefit to the nation az q
whole.
Much emphasis has been placed upon
vocational training. and little by little
we are coming TO understand the dis
tinction between manual training and
training for trades. We are beginning
TO understand also that 1t may be un-
wise for public school system to at
tempt to develop specific training for
specific trades. 1t Is not yet clear that
an attempt is not really being made
in this country to tie the young people
to Industry before they are really
ready for it. We have heard in some
of the educational meetings sentiments
expressed to the effect that compulsory
education should stop at the fifteenth
year, and as a cons -quence Of this
trade schools should be organized for
the purpose of giving training in
specific industries between the twelfth
and fifteenth year Here is brought
out in sharp contrast the difference