The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-02
HIGH sCHOOL, COURSES,

The statement issued recently by Mr..
Stout, the principal of the local high
school, outlining the present arrange
ments of the courses of study in that
institution would seem to be all the
evidence needed to bear out the sug-
gestions made in these columns few
days ago. 1t will be remembered that
they were to the effect that the pupils
Of this school are given altogether too
much 1eeway in the selection of the
studies they undertake.; and are also
provided with too numerous opportuni-
ties to change their courses of study
as they may desire for no better rea-
sons than mere thoughts that such
changes would be more to their Tx
ing.
This fault in high school courses is
rot confined by any means to the To-
peka high school. Most of the other
high schools in Kansas are sailing
along in the same boat. So are the
high schools in other states. But in
many such: other localities earnest en-,
deavors are being made to remedy this
condition of affairs. and the people who
are making them are not being held
up to scorn as detractors of the COM
munity in which they are laboring.
Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, the superin-
tendent Of Chicago's enormous school
system, is devoting much Of her time
these days to deciding on changes in
the curricuIums of the high schools of
that city so that they can be made
more effective and advantageous. AS
has been noted in the State Journal
before a similar work has been under
taken by Professor c. P. Cary, state
&c.
Wisconsin. It is the idea of Mr. Cary
the high schools of that state-and his
remarks apply with just as much force
to the high schools OF this state-can
only be improved to something like
what they should be if there is
a less variety of subjects taught in
them. Or as he puts it 1T would seem
wise for the schools to attempt less,
and do more thorough work in what
they do attempt And in discussing
this point he sagely remarks that in
looking over the efforts of high schools
of the present day, zone is often re-
minded of the custom of certain small
hotels to set before the guests, at great
expense, a metropolitan bill of fare, no
part of which is very satisfactory, in
stead of concentrating their efforts
upon a. few wholesome. well-prepared
at moderate expense, that would
be the delights of the guests
In summarizing his beliefs as to what |
high schools should do, Mr.. Cary |
states:
81 believe every high school should
give every pupil before he graduates
such a review of the common branches
as will relieve the schools of the charge |
that graduates are weak and incom- |
petent in their knowledge of the COM |
mon branches.
81 believe high school teachers should |
give the utmost care and consideration |
to the mental moral and physical habits |
pupils are forming.
st believe the high school should /
teach respect for law and the wise use
Of liberty.
ct believe the high school should |
make special efforts to train pupils to
use reference books.
IT believe all school should train pu-
pills to organize and preside over meet
ings and follow parliamentary usage.
81 believe more attention should be
given to instruction in hygiene, in CIV
les and in ethics.
st believe the high school should |
train not only children. but should also
guide the studies of that portion of the
public which is unframed but intel
hungry
And if such beliefs were put in prac-
tice in every high school in the coun
try, those institutions of learning would |
come nearer being worth the large sums
Of money that its costs to build, equip
and maintain them. Indeed, their value
tf. a community would he incalcuIalp1e |