Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-07-18
EDUCATIONAL TURMOIL.
Some Remarks on the Discussions at
the Teachers Convention.

the TeacherHf Convention.
The pedagogical discussions heard at the
Boston convention OF the National Educa-
tional association are regarded by the
Springfield CNass) Republican as ''some-
what Supplying to any advocate OF the old
ways" Referring to the average of fads
supported or criticised. and the need of
checking the educational pace, the writer
offers these pertinent remarks;
THE crying need of education just now
Is simplifying and Tightening. whereas the
pressure, professional and popular. is all
for padding and loosenlng. 1t is hard for
anyone who makes a hobby OF any sub
ject, from whiting Oknife work., to
cooking and dishwashing domestic science)
to see why It should not count as a
branch of learning Hence the loud de-
nunciations OF naughty branches like Latin
and algebra which occupy q favored posi-
ton. The truth is that counting viii
be the death Of us yet, intellectually, un-
less It is curbed. Things are coming to
such pass that schoolboy will not read
novel unless assured that 1t will count
toward college entrance. Nor in the col
leges is the case much better. Can any
thing be more disconcerting to q professor
than to be checked in the most eloquent
part of his lecture with the chilling query,
Are We to be examined on this7'"
II we can suppress, in any way. this
pernicious tendency. more conspicuous in
America than in any other country, the
way win be much clearer for a satisfactory
readjustment OF the curriculum Let It be
said on the one hand that there can be no
going back to the narrow elassical-math-
ematical course OF a century ago. On the
other hand. it is impossible to accept the
contention OF the more aggressive reform
ers that it makes no difference what one
studies-a conclusion which would lead
pell-mell to educational anarchy. The pres
emit habit Of mind is too arithmetical; IL
looks on education as a column of cred
its" to be totaled. Whatever is worth
five points or two or one. over the educa-
tional counter, has value; 1t leads to ''col-
lege entrance" to a diploma, to a degree.
Culture" is doled out in the smallest
packages; the bitterer the pill the more one
gets for gulping It. All this is absurd and
pitiful; shall we yet see credits given for
getting up to enjoy sunrise7 VIII ''coeds''
expect points for learning to do up their
hair neatly-a most useful accomplishment
and one too much neglected in college?
There Is really no limit TO the profitable
things that might be taught. but in max
| drawn somewhere.
| 1t ought to be drawn so far as the OBJ
ligatory things are concerned. at subjects
which are not essential for the fullest pos
sible intellectual development. An educa-
ton is not to be had by adding scraps OF
this subject and OF that. What is needed
is few master keys that viii enable the
! graduate to accumulate his own education
through life. The education which gives
effective use of two languages. firm hold
OF the more essential mathematics. and a
conception OF scientific method has thrown
open ali doors to the ambitious student.
With these tools he can cut his way wher-
ever it takes him; without them he is Grip
pled--weak at one point or another. II
it is firmly held in mind that the main bust
hess Of the early years must be getting
the essential educational tools, the prob
: lem of readJusting the curriculum to meet
the new demands will be greatly sinplified
, There are innumerable subjects which 1t IL
we'll for young people TO have a chance to
master incidentally, but which have nc
bearing on their mental development
There will be plenty of time for accom-
plishments, useful and ornamental, from
dancing to plain sewing, in the leisure
; hours, and Il is we'll that such opportuni
. ties be offered. Some OF those which meet
? the most general demand may we'll be pro
vided at the public expense, while otherS
! equally useful or ornamental must be pail
, for by the individual. Every added study
costs, and there are limits to the taxpay
E ers' ability.
{ But whether studied at home, under 6
private master, or in school It Is not worth
: while to make much ado about the cred
: it's for such odds-and-endR Neat stitch
: ing Is good, hardness with saw and chise
: is excellent, a good loaf OF bread is an ad
Q mirsble thing, dancing singing. part musi'
at sight, drawing in water colors are yalu
able accomplishments-on can indorse al
: that is said for them by their advocates
e But there are so many Of theml It is
great relief to put them all into the clas
$ OF voluntary effort, letting the individua
J. fill himself to the measure OF his taste an,
energy, provided he does not slack in I'll,
: main studies that will be needed as tool
e for serious intellectual work Such extras
need to be learned out of school, now man!
= OF them are taught at the public charge
II makes not an atom OF difference witt
their place in an educational scheme Tn
! only harm that can come from the chang,
; Is the danger OF thinking on the one han,
that everything taught in school must b
Of equal pedagogical Importance. and Il
the other that IT is not worth while 70 lear
anything whatever unless one Is paid 10
: Il In marks" Here Is the weakest poin
: Of our school system; the only cure 10
= It Is to make promotion and college en-
: trance a matter OF mental development
along the main lines, and to let each pup
take what pleases him from tho rich va
Z riety OF side dishes offered. Let the colleg
demand only that the freshman come pre-
pared in the indispensable rudiments OF tn
subjects he Is to go on with, let there
no more squabbling as to whether this o
: that bit OF culture" or manual trainin
shall DO allowed 10 count Then IL will b
possible TO work more vigorously at the ed
sential things and 10 get more pleaSur
out OF what ought 10 be a recreation an
: a stimulus Music. literature. art, and sue
], subjects should be separated as far as pos
sihle from the regular grind and shout
: be spoiled by no selfish greed for mark,
n COLLEGE COURSE AND HEALTH.