Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-09-09
Educational Preparation For Lies
Work.

When laying out the work OF lie
the years to be devoted to education
receive much consideration.
How much time Can best be devoted
to preparation for the activities 10
follow! Shall this preparation be
superficial or thorough What &C.
portunities are available for such
education as is desirablel
Perhaps a majority of the fathers
and mothers Of this generation de-
voted a portion of each of a few
years Of their youth to attendance at
the common schools and were then,
without further preparation, immersed
in the strenuous work Of their, after
lives. Most of these never ceased to
regret that their opportunities were
so limited, or, perhaps. that they had
not made greater exertions and
greater sacrifices for more extended
education. OF those who through
better fortune or through more
strenuous efforts completed a college
or university course not one can be
found who would like to exchange
what he got for the money and ex-
ertion it cost.
As the educational system Of
Kansas is now arranged, the average
child requires eight years in which to
complete the common school branch
es. The high school usually requires
four years. Completion of the work
of the standard high school fits the
pupil to enter the freshman class oil
the University Of Kansas or any Of
the standard colleges Of the state
The Agricultural college coureS are
so adjusted that those who have haC
less extensive preparation may enter
The standard of the college or uni
versity course requires four years
If the child begins school work al
six and devotes to it about eight
months each year with success until
twenty-one. he will have very good
education.
At the University and at some Of
the colleges provision is made for
optional studies Of vocational charac
ter which may be pursued as a part
of the work. Full vocational prepar-
alton, however, requires additional
special work.
In general, educational prepare
ton, such as is advised by those who
have been over the road and have
risen to eminence by the aid of this
preparation, will occupy about eight
months each year between the ages
of six and twenty-five. There are
some who are able to accomplish
four years work in three years. The
time thus gained is often paid for al
a fearful cost of health. So, too, the
development of power, which is one
of the chief values of education, is
often greatly curtailed by the ext.
gencieS of over crowding.
The thought Of the years to be
devoted to thorough educational
preparation for ones work does moi
appall persons of high ambitions
Those wears become the pleasant
memories of the years that follow as
their privations and strenuous labors
become obscured by the mists Of
time.
The problem of financing these
years of expense called into action
and promotes the developments oil
powers which but for this demand
might have lain dormant through
life.
Parents can make no better in
vestment then in helping sons and
daughters to make thorough prepare
ton for creditable parts in the great
worlds work of the future.
Some parents are able and willing
to meet the entire expense Of their
children's education. In most Kansas
families the spirit of self.helpfulness
is cultivated early in the life of the
child and develops With the years.