The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-08

!
ual training course would have been
added to the seven existing courses,
and students in college preparatory
| classes, who most need the manual
! excluded from it's benefits. Under the
present plan it is found that the man
ual training subjects are elected most
freely by those who are taking Latin
and the subjects which are generally
| regarded as the most difficult
| Course Attracts Students.
| The significant fact is that the in
crease in the number of high school
| yates has come with the introduction
of the flexible course of study. This is
also the experience of the colleges and
| universities That is, adaptation of
| the course to the varying needs of the
| student has resulted in more students.
Management Progressive.
In making the radical change in the
high school course of study which has
been described the authorities of the
| school took an important step in adj
vance, which gives sufficient assurance
that other desirable notifications will
be introduced from time to time.
Manual Training Arts.
The most important item in the re-
cent development of the high school
| is the organization of the departme
| of manual training. This development
has been much more rapid than was
anticipated. The manual training
building was erected in 1904 in order
to provide accommodations for the
school, which had outgrown the ca
pacity of the first high school build
ing. In planning the new building the
board thought it wise to provide rooms
for future manual training instruction.
for which there were then no available
funds Edward Wilder. who was then
a member of the board and who was
active in securing the site and the
building. said that it would not be
possible for many years to furnish the
manual training equipment or to pro-
vide manual training teachers. But
provided and soon after its completion
the entire building was brought into
service for the youth of Topeka.
The courses in manual training were
planned with the greatest care, after
months of investigation and study by
the superintendent of schools and Mr..
J. H. Mcbride, the efficient director OF
manual training, whose services were
and to whose wise planning and PAINS
taking care the successful installation
of manual training in our schools, ele-
mentary and high, is largely due
Advantage of Flexible Course.
The present flexible arrangement of
the high school program is especially
adapted to benefit those students whose
education does not extend beyond the
high school period, while a rigid course
of college preparatory studies would
benefit chiefly such as had already de-
cided to enter higher institutions.
Graduates in Life.
What becomes of the. graduates of
the school is an interesting question 1t
is greatly to the credit of the school
and the community that SO many have
the ambition which pushes them on to
college or university or technical
school. During the last II years on the
average 80 graduates of the high school
have entered Washburn college each
year Goodly delegations have gone TO
the State university, the State Normal
school, the State Agricultural college,
colleges and universities outside Of the
state. There has been no complaint as
to the standing of these young people;
on the contrary, reports of superior ex-
ceIlence have frequently been received.
Many of these students have won dis
tinction for themselves and have
brought honor to their school and city;
for example, of eight honor students in
the present senior class at WaShburn
college, six are graduates of the To-
peka high school. In business and the
various industries the high school grad
yates have been successful, especially
in those occupations requiring energy
and skill.
Notifications Needed.
Excellent the high school has been,
there are features which could be
added with great advantage. Some of
these are expensive and would have
been provided earlier except for the
limitations imposed by law and public I
sentiment on taxation for the schools. |
To provide for all of the desirable facil-
tiles would require an enlargement and
remodeling of the buildings, which are
already occupied almost in excess of |
their capacity.
Among the needs of the high school, |
which if supplied would be of great |
service, are the following:
IA department of music established |
on the same basis the other depart |
ments of instruction, with credit fO~ |
acceptable work towards graduation.
"A physical director and instructor |
in boys athletics. At present classes |
in physical training are provided for |
girls only.
3-An athletic field and playground |
centrally located and under the super |
vision of the school authorities.
NCertain vocational studies, 1nclu0- |
ing commercial branches and other |
subjects which could conveniently be |
adapted to the high school program.
5-Classes for adults in all branches |
in which the school gives instruction.
ga library supplied with suitable /
reference books for use in every de-
partment.
More complete illustrative ma
terial, consisting of pictures. maps, |
lantern slides, and apparatus.
S-A lunch room with capacity for |
serving a thousand persons. With such |
accommodations the hours of the school
session could be arranged with greater
convenience to all concerned.
"a gymnasium of proper size for
use in physical instruction and indoor
games.
10-Laboratories for botany ami
zoology with suitable appliances.
ia larger number of teachers so