Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-10
The Function of the High School

the conditions peculiar TO a given en-
viTonment. That this elimination may be
difficult for the powers that be is certain
~ true. That il can be accomplished
when experts i'm vocational studies are
employed and given that liberty of ac-
ton which the importance of their work
justifies all will admit who have IA
miliarized themselves with the situation
There is no obstacle. therefore, to read
justing the course of the secondary
schools so as to allow the instruction OF
vocational training of a fundamental
character. and still permit of these in
stitutions being so co-ordinated with the
work Of the university as to prepare men
and women to enter the institutions OF
higher learning with sufficient scholar
ship to successfully pursue any of its
stsNdard courses. In the past il is prob
ably true that the university has domi-
mated the high school TO a considerable
extent; some seem to feel more com
pletely than has been necessary or ad-
visable al all times. While there is a
measure of truth i'm this statement do
not forget the immense benefits which
have come to the schools by reason OF the
contact with the mighty uplifting inlu-
ences of a great university. Then II
should never be forgotten that all phases
OF education are still in an evolutionary
stage. and only in the last decade have
We come TO realize the momentous char
acter Of the problem which our proposed
scheme OF universal education imposes
upon us as a nation. The increased cost
OF living. the pressure of population and
our recognition as a world power are
all of a comparatively recent origin and
account largely for our apparent derelic-
ton with reference to a matter of such
great Importance. II is now evident that
to support vocational training. facilities
similar to those offered in many Euro
pean countries must be provided in
America IL we are to maintain our com
mercial and Industrial supremacy. It has
, taken our scholars a long time to re-
alize that true culture does not neces-
sarily consist of a comprehensive knowl-
edge of Latin and Greek or literature and
art. but that the man who is an expert
and leader in any particular field ot
human activity may have as much cul-
ture as the man who has specialized
along the lines which usage and ancient
custom regard as essential to scholar
ship. This broadening of the viewpoint
of our teachers and scholars everywhere
is one of the happiest signs of the times,
and indicates a readiness to concede to
vocational training the recognition nee
essary 20 secure its establishment on
lines sufficiently comprehensive to be
commensurate with the needs of the 10Th
century. Surely the time is ripe for a
great forward movement I'm this direc-
ton Trained experts in domestic sci
ence. manual arts and agriculture must
be employed by the high schools. They
should be selected for their expert knowi-
edge. and not because they can be Sc
cured cheaply. or because they will I'M
dertake to teach a variety of subjects.
The field OF human knowledge is broad
! ening so rapidly, and there is such a
variety OF information involved, for in
stance. in the proper nutrition of the
race and the management of the house
hold along sanitary lines that we cannot
AFFORD to place vital training of this
character in the hands of any save ex-
perts.