The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-04-05
KANSAS BOARD OF EDUCATION RE,
VlsES HIGH SCHOOL CUR
RlCULUM.
Few Go to CoIlege-Fully rs Per Cent
of Graduates Quit School for Bus
mess World-NeW Courses
Are Flexible.

board of education has prepared the
curriculum for the high schools OF the
state for next year. More varied
courses are offered and presented for
the students whose work concludes
with the high schools, and who do not
20 on to college. This is what State
Superintendent e. 7. Fairchild termed
"liberalizing the high schools"
In the years gone by the high school
courses have been pretty well conferred
upon work which cerved as prepara-
tory training for colleges. No changes
are, of course, being made in that
portion of the curriculum. The tradl-
tional subjects whose cultural value
have been proven by experience are
not being disturbed. But to them are
being added subjects which are OF
practical vocational value.
At least IS per cent OF the graduates
of Kansas high schools do not go TO
co eye. Statistics show That from 10
to % per cent go to some higher insti-
tuition of learning. 1t is for the boy
and girl who conclude their education
with the high school that additional
subjects of a vocational nature are
being added. Preparation for tine
walks of life" is kept constantly IN
view.
Effort is made in the new courses
prepared to give each student OPP
portunity to test his adaptability to
1t, nf
vent the arrangement of studies so as
to make it necessary for the pupil 10
decide unalterably at the beginning oil
the high school course upon career
Opportunity is offered, by fleXlDlllty
in the course, for REIMBURSEMENT of in
diyidual plans as the pupil natures
and discovers his capacities and limi'
tations. Efficiency is sought after, and
the development of individual gifts.
Mechanic arts, agriculture and house
hold science are recognized as import
ant added subjects.
Fifteen units are required lor grau-
uation. OF these seven shall be IN the
prescribed branches, and eight cleo
tives, showing the course to be liberal
in the number of subjects which stu
dent may choose for himself.
The subjects in which certain def
mite amount of work is required In eV-
cry high school, and the amount OF
it, follows: English, three units;
mathematics, two units; science, one
unit: history, one unit. These sub
jects are recognized as fundamental
In addition to the seven prescribed
units it is DENIED proper that require
ment of two units in some foreign IAN
guage should be made as a condition
for admission to college. Under ordi-
nary circumstances the board of edu-
cation advises students who do not
plan to go beyond the high school to
undertake the study of the elements
of some language beside English.
Teachers are requested to asusme the
responsibility of directing the choice
of electives so far as foreign languages
are concerned.
In order to avoid a scattering effort
on the part of the student, and to Sc
cure continuity of plan, the board
that the choice of cleo
tiyes be directed so that every stu
dent, if he goes to college or not, may |
have opportunity to do a certain
amount of advanced work.
After the seven prescribed units, the
is made that two OF
the eight elective units be foreign
languages, two to be additional work
in the required branches, and the 9TH
err four electives are to be left to the
individual choice of the
student, to be used for additional
academic work, or for mechanic arts,
household science, commercial work,
or any other kind of study that the
best interests of the student appear to
require.
The number of pupils enrolled in the
Kansas high schools in 1911 was 3D.
1853. This is an INCREASE of more than
200 per cent in ten years and an in
,rease of over 100 per cent in the last
i've years.