The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-15
A REACmoNARY SCHOOL BOARD.

n Il 5OLlNSOI4 DOAANOs
Two years ago the people of Topeka
voiced their disapproval of the meth
DDS that were being used in the con-
duct of their schools. Among other
things they were displeased with the
development of the high school. 1t had
been turned into an institution that
catered almost exclusively to the prep
aration of pupils for college. All of
the courses were arranged with that
end in view. That made 1t fine for the
graduates who intended to go to col
lege. It was not of much real service,
however, to the great bulk of the
graduates who had no thought of en-
tering higher institutions of learning.
The voters of the city determined that
these conditions must be changed.
They wanted high school courses that
would be of practical value to pupils.
other than the few who we're bent on
college careers. They found out that
the only way the change could be eff
feeted was by injecting some new blood
into the board of education. They
acted accordingly. The result was i'm
mediate. The reorganized school board
made a beginning in establishing prac-
teal courses in the high school curri-
culum by adding one of the commercial
variety. Only a start was made in the
creation of this course. which was to
cover a full four-year period. The plan
was to make the arrangements for the
proper development of the course as
necessity demanded. The stenography,
and type writing features were to have
their place in the last two years of the
course.
The time arrived for making the
necessary provisions for these import
ant features of the course. And what
has been done? Well. it is scarcely be-
lieveable, but the school board, which
has just gone through the process OF
another reorganization, decided last
night that stenography and typewrit-
ing should not be added to this import
ant course This leaves the business
course like an old fashioned kite with
out a tail.
Mr.. Starr. the new city superintend-
ent of schools, reported to the board
that stenography is now taught in SO
of the hig1 schools of Kansas and that
typewriting is taught in 81 of them.
Further than that, Topeka and Pitts
burg are the only two first-class cities
in the state in whose high schools
stenography and typewriting are not
taught Comment on these figures and
deductions from them are unnecessary
They wouldn't reflect much glory on
the Topeka high school system. Mr.
Starr also pointed out to the board
that commercial course could not be
considered complete without stenogra-
ply and typewriting. But a majority
of the board, including those members
VINO have gained wisdom and Other
things in selling supplies and advice
to contractors who do work on the
school buildings, set up their judgment
against that of Mr.. Starr.
And it wouldn't be at all surprising
if the newly reOrganized board of ed
ucation soon asked for the resignation
of Mr.. Starr because he had the
temerity to suggest a reasonable prop
osition that happened to be displeasing
to a majority of the board. This ma
jority has already undone the work OF
the cid board in changing the person
mel Of the immediate employees of the
board of education. Nor is there any
telling how far it will go in disorgan-
izing the school system. The people
of the city VIII have to be a little
more discerning when the time comes
to select a new school board.