Connecticut western news., 1910-02-24
MADE BY
 PROF. H. l. GREGORY
REGARDING CANAAN HIGH SCHOOL

He Makes Some Recommendations for
 the Improvement of the Course Of
 Study, and Shows Where a Larger
 Building Would Benefit Town.
 The report of Prof Herbert E. Greg ory, one of the state examiners of high schools, relative to the North Canaan high school has been submitted to the State Board of Education and the school board. It will be of interest to the pub lie and we reprint herewith the main portions of it. After referring to the building which he says is oYercrowded in the high school part and is practically without apparatus for teaching the sciences, and after giving the registra- tion and remarking that "the pupils seem to be energetic and willing and are we'll worth high school advantages, !" he goes on to say: ;.
 The course of study includes three years work. With the limited faculty. the short recitation periods (30 minutes). and crowded curriculum, it is not pos sible to do the work as outlined in, satisfactory manner. The subjects taught are we'll chosen, with the excep- tion of advanced algebra, which seems out of place in a course of this kind.
 If but two teachers can be supplied, would strongly recommend that the course be cut down to two years, and the number of subjects be limited so that each one will be taught five times week and brought up to a standard. On this assumption. a good course would be: Freshmen-English. Ancient His tory. Algebra, Physical Geography and Latin; five subjects, -four could be chosen. Sophomores-English, English History, Biology, Geometry and Latin; of which five subjects, four could be chosen
 RECOMMENDATIONS
 It seems to me that the town should be urged to develop a good high school, with four years course which would give broad general training and at the same time prepare for college. Such school would require the services of three carefully selected teachers, in ad- dition to superintendent or principal, and would demand considerable increase ln room and equipment. The general course in such school should have par ticular reference to the needs of the community, and biology should be given 8 strong practical turn, as the basis of agriculture; and physics, chemistry, physical geography and English should of good without reference to college; while not designed as college prepara- tion, the instruction would still be such as to admit pupils into the higher insti- tutions.
 I am still inclined to urge the enlarge ment of school opportunities in Canaan because of its strategic location. There is no approved four year high school in any adjoining town. On the Central New England Railway west of Canaan there is no approved high school; to the east, Winsted is the nearest point; New Milford is the first high school south of Canaan, and even the southern part of the town of Sheffield, Mass, is naturally tributary to Canaan. If the state should ever take up the question of establishing schools without reference to town lines, based upon ease of communication, Ca- naan would undoubtedly be one of these points.
 If, however, the town does not feel able to spend the necessary money for 8 school of this type, there should at least be urged to see that whether a two, three, or four year course is adopted, the school should be made of the highest grade-one which is above criticism, and of which the town may be proud. ] I have discussed the situation with the principal, the superintendent, and with member of the local board, and have indicated my readiness to cooper ate in building up better school in any manner desired by the local authorities. I have. also called attention to the fact that the local superintendent is thor oughly competent to act in an advisory capacity.
 In view of the evident desire of the authorities to improve conditions, I re- commend that the school be approved for one year.
 Respectfully submitted,
 HERBERT E. GREGORY,