Mexico Missouri message., 1910-09-08
E. e. SHAY.
The Value and Importance Of Fol
lowing the Course of
Study.

ers' Association.)
Back of every question that has
to do with higher plane of en-
lightenment, better homes, better
lives, and a better citizenship, we
find the question of better rural
schools.
If we would have a better
agricultural system and "make
two blades of grass grow where
one grew before" we must begin
with the boy, and train him up
in a practical, methodical way
that he may in maturer years get
the greatest returns for the least
expenditure of time, labor, and
capital. To my mind the most in
teresting problem now before us
is how to bring the best school to
the boys and girls on the farms
right where they are,-and open
up to them the store house of
learning in such a simple, natural
manner that a great waste of val
liable time may be avoided. The
time was when. learning was
sought that one might be orna-
mental, but today learning is
sought that one may be useful. A
good practical education can be
adjusted to all circumstances AMI
adapted to every demand the
world may make. With the op-
pOrtunity for obtaining a go3d
practical education in reach of
every boy and girl in the rural
school, We shall have indeed
"harnessed scholarship to practi-
cal life" laid a sure foundation
for a higher citizenship. and
cleared the way for full enjoy
ment of the best things of life.
With this end in view the official
course of study has been issued,---
its primary purpose being the Sys-
tematizing and unifying of the
schools of the state. The course Of
study enables us to know Just
what we are doing. 1t gives us a
standard to work by and encour-
ages parents. teachers and schools
to help one another. 1t gives
growth to greater effort, and ere
ates a competition that is health
full. 1t helps to systematic the
work of many teachers. and pro-
NOTES a uniform graduation, and
better classification. 1t creates
a demand for better libraries. AMI
thus opens new fields of thought,
and learning. 1t enables the
: teacher to develop habits of co..,
, reetness in her pupil, thus pre-.
: venting mistakes during the day
t rather than spending her time at
night correcting them. 1t is the
means by which the County Super
intendent of Schools may advise
= direct. and keep in uniform con
? troll the schools of the county
= Without a course of study county
= supervision must be a failure. II
= be sure we may not always adop
this course of study in its entiret,
but we should adapt it to the con
ditiOnS that we find and ever,
= pupil should complete the fui
Il course and receive his diploma be
> fore he is permitted to take N
; lany high school subject. Thi
II may require more individual he'll
i for some pupils, with greater EN-
phasis placed on the subjects i
which they make least progres,
but it will be the means of deve'
Oping a thOroughneSS in the whoi
course, instead of "going to seed
on one or two branches, with
. mere smattering of the rest.
II The Course of Study, however
)" is for the child and not the chil
" for the course of study, We eve
~ have before us two living realitie
y the child and the subject matte
u but the child is the first to be col
81 sidered always. We cannot mas
u every child a thorough scholo
h,,t NO caO m n lxa avarvaua a yvorl