The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-31
Status of High School Education
to Be One of Chief Topics
Discussed.

ESPECIAL
charlottesville. Va. october 3o.-ine
status of high school education WIN
sn.cial reference to its bearing upon
higher training in college and unisef-
sitv will be one of the chief topics ois-
cussed at the educational conference
to be held at the University of virginia
Friday and Saturday of this week.
DELEGATES will attend from the lead
ing accredited high schools and pee
paratory schools in the State. Inc
conference will open at 10 O'Clock FIJI
day morning in Madison Hail. Frioas
evening the delegates will be guests Oh
the university at dinner at the Sonl-
mons. On this occasion President AL
derman will make short ADDRESS,
after which there will be continue
ton of round table discussions OF vari-
Gus educational problems These as
cussions will be continued SATURDAY
morning and afternoon
The aim of the conference is weil
expressed in the letter of inrftatioa:
Between the high schools and the
University Of Virginia there should Ire
cordial and sympathetic cooperation.
II is the desire of President Alderman
and the faculty of the university that
the relationship shall at all times De
mutually helpful The university Is
able and anxious to help the SiSh
schools and other schools If the state
with their problems. and they may
assist the university in SEEING more
clearly the ever-changing social ana
economic problems which our educa-
tional system must solve. because they
are nearer to many OF them
The conference was planned in the
hone that this friendly and helpful
relationship may pe further fostered
and cooperative utilization more COM
pletely established
The important service performed ~
the high schools and their tremendous
growth in recent years have not been
fully appreciated. perhaps. save by
those who have had occasion to study
the matter Profess, r Charles G. Ma
phis has rendered a distinct service n
preparing a comprehensive report on
the high school situation IN Virginia
This report has an especial significance
and interest at this time, when an
educational conference Is about TO be
he'd at the State university
The early history of high school edu
cation is not very credftabis. Prior
1, 1906 says Professor Maphis. no
standard of requirements or un'farmity
@! system obtained in virginia Tor
high schools. There were seventy -ioar
schools located in he cities and large
towns which were called nigh Schools
but few OF them. even IA the large
cities. maintained a full four-ycar high
school course -Four y.ar, of Work
were usually given In mathematics and
Latin. but Ia few vther subjects.
In contras: u this Is a statement
showing che rapid growth Of facilities
for high s,hoS. education On. fase
stands out. aanSiy, that III 1872 tEeis
are more team three times - many
four-year hi=n schools in .h- state
as there we=c hisa schools Il all grades
seven years age. There has ais1 been
a remarkable ire, case in the numb-r
and efficiency OF three. two and
one-year high schools. There are nov
abou, eight times as many >;ud-nfs
enrolled in high schools as were In
attendance in 1895.
In curriculum the Improvement in
high school education has been not
able and ais, in the character OF school
buildings the onward stride has been
unprecedented IN the history of edu-
cation in Virginia The total amount
spen; for new buildings IN 1895 was
sss.seo. The total amount thus Gar ex-
pended ia i:I. Is approximately 81. sso.-
90" Professor Maphi. points out that
In nearly every community where a
new building - erected the citizens
subscribe literally.
Corresponding 10 the advance IN
other direct. ms. the tea hing forces
have been vastly increased in num-
, bers and are cs superior abi q and
efficiency. The proportion 90 college
sad university graduates among IN"
! teachers IN the higa schools has stead