Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-04-26
COMMUNICATED
Are the Schools what They Might Be

Are the Schools what They Might Be?
There appears to be very wide
spread doubt as to whether the taxpay-
ers and the pupils of our schools. especial
ly the high school. are getting satisfac-
tory results. The people universally
want the most practical and useful
teachings. perhaps not so many frills and
trimmings; pure gold and not mere sur
face gliding Are we getting these?
And if not. Why not?
Most Of our young folks should be fitted
for practical life work as agriculturists,
tradesmen, merchants. etc. Not one in
100 ever expects to 60 to University,
therefore the time spent in the so-called
higher branches is almost absolutely lost,
and the taxpayers money goes the same
way.
If boy wishes to study the higher
branches, well and good, but to force
those who have no such ambition to put
in their time learning something in which
they take no interest whatever is GRIM
inal, in view Of the fact that the time so
spent could be made SO much better use
of in learning something which he feels.
and we all feel, would benefit him in the
future. A boy nearly always knows
what line he wants to follow in the
future and he is nearly always right.
"You cannot make silk purse out Of
sow's ear" nor lawyer or doctor out Of
boy whose instinct calls him to be
farmer, sailor or mechanic.
An easy way to test the actual useful
knowledge attained by the pupils would
be public exhibition. say IN the Audi
torium of the high school building. because
of the black boards. the examination to
be conducted and program selected by
committee outside of the faculty, for
instance in spelling-a page of Webster
or any book; Observation-Disclosures of
countries or states; neutrality-suspicious.;
grammer-oorreotio Of improperly con-
struoted paragraphs. The question to
be propounded to be known only to the
committee. This is merely suggestion.
The cut and dried examinations usually
followed Indicate nothing except desire
to make good in that particular line;
proves absolutely nothing.
would not be afraid to guarantee the
collection of $50 to be distributed as
prizes in such an examination.
Another matter does not meet the ap-
proval Of the general public and that is
base ball, which is all right in its place
but that is certainly not the school curric-
ulum. People do not pay taxes to pro-
mote this or any game. For days before
and if the game is won. after. the prinoi-
pal topic of conversation among the boys
as we hear them on the street is base
ball-not class studies. The people pay
school tax to have the youngsters edu-
Gated. School buildings have to be built.
rooms heated and teachers hired, for
whatb Most decidedly not for the promo
ton Of pastime and sport. The only ex-
cuse the board tries to make for base
ball programs Is that pupil must have
specified standing in studies or he can
not become member of the base ball
club. If that is the only incentive to
proficiency in studies, the boys are not
deserving of the opportunities provided
at such an enormous expense, about one
third of ourstotal taxation.
This is not intended as a criticism par
ticularly Of our board Of education but of
the system. There may be too much
superficiality. too much following of pre-
cedents and too little common horse
sense. w. MATTHEWS