Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-10

Castine. Maine. July 9.-(SpeciaD.-
Superintendent and principals. at
their annual convention. We're glad to
have explained the plan now used at
Fitchburg. Mass, whereby the High
school and manufacturers of that city
cooperate in the practical education Of
boys. This plan was outlined by Je-
seph G. Edgerly. superintendent of
schools of that CITY, The cooperative
course has been in operation since
i9eS The public high school assumes
the responsibility for the academic
training and the shop provides the
practical training Ten or more Lead
ing manufactures of the city have en-
tered in the plan. These plants nat
uraiiy offer an equipment such as no
school plant could offer Neither the
city not the State is required to ex-
pend a dollar for equipment. The
course covers four years, the same as
the regular high school course. The
first years work is spent wholly in
the school and the next three alter
nately weekly between the shop and
the school. The manufactures take
the boys in pairs. so that by alternat-
ing they have one of the pair always
at work and likewise the school is
provided with the other one OF the
pair. The shop work is thus carried
on without break.
Bows receive pay for the weeks they
are at work. A regular rate is fixed
so that boys in the first year earn
81 80 a week: in the second year $605
a week: and in the third year s6.Sf a
week. A hoy can thus continue in
school and yet earn considerable. In
fact he earns more than the boy who
attempts to supply himself with funds
while waiting fer something to turn
up"
The subjects offered at the school
are or practical value and aim to give
higher degree of efficiency and bet
ter opportunity for advancement This
Industrial course has proved SO pop
ular that there is disposition to
bring TIE school into close relation
with the varied interests of the city.
Two Meetings Held.
After Supt. Edgerly's talk two sep
arate meetings We're held. one for su-
pefintendents and principals of iars-
er towns and cities. the other for
those working in smaller places.
The former conference opened with
a general discussion of the subject
what Phases of Industrial Educa-
ton Should be Given place in the Pub
lie High SCHOOL,
Principal l.. f. Moulton of Auburn
speaking on the efficiency of the bust
ness course in the high school raised
the question as to whether or not 1t
is a sufficient preparation for office
work and if it should not be extended
to prepare for broader activities. He
believed that both of these questions
should be answered aflirmatively and
that increased efficiency can be secur-
ed by better acquaintance with the
demands of the business world. Pu-
pills win be mere proficient If they can
| feel that they are getting ready for
the demands of a situation that is ac-
tually open to them and their COM
petitors. Preparation should include
| the fundamental principles of office
work and a broad conception and So
ciai activities.
Tin respect to the scope of a business
course for broader activities the topic
| is of far more Importance. Business
men will accept for office work only
| the best product of the high school. 1t
| would be shame to sidetrack our
| BOYS and girls of capacity by making
merely stenographers and bookkeepers
of them This product of our high
| schools should not be deprived of the
| literary English or the benefits of the
| companionship of the library and good
| books, nor should the girl who has a
| taste for the modern languages be
| deprived of the pleasure of studying
| French and German. On the other
hand the commercial course must be
filed with spirit of business >life II
must touch elbows with men who are
| successful in business and who are
broadminded, intelligent and useful
| citizens
Small High School Problems.
]. W. Taylor, State inspector of
| High schools. opened the meeting of
| the schoolmen of smaller towns with a
! discussion of the practibility and de-
STABILITY of one general course of
study for the small two-teacher high
| school. He gave as his opinion that
the basis of the usual implied criticism
of the high school lies in. ID the very
small number completing the course,
(2l the comparatively small number
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