Evening star., 1912-11-24
COLLEGES ARE AIDED
Suggestions of the Bureau of
Education Followed.
STANDARDIZATION is AIM
Score of Universities Benefited by
Expert Inspection of DR.. X.
C. Babcock.

Upon the request of various colleges
bureau of education is outlining plans
to standardiZe the curricula of the in
stitutions of higher learning Some time
ago the bureau prepared statistics for its
own secret information regarding the
efficiency of graduates of
universities and colleges, as shown by
their records in postgraduate courses in
land grant colleges under the supervision
of the bureau
These comparisons We're not intended
for publication. as they showed marked
degrees of efficiency among Well known
schools, which, if made public, it was
known would create i'll feeling among
those that suffered in the comparison.
However, since the information has been
scattered broadcast many universities
and colleges under state and private di-
rection have invited inspection by the
federal bureau. Tentative plans event
ually will standardize both the studies and
examinations. Supervision of the state
and private institutions is really outside
the legal jurisdiction of the bureau but
nevertheless the bureau will offer sug-
gestions to the various institutions re-
questing them. The National Association
of State Universities has invited super
vision, as have the Universities of Vir-
ginia and Oregon.
DR.. K. C. Babcock the Inspector.
DIR. Kendric c Babcock, chief of the
division of higher educa ton. inspects the
work of the institutions OF higher learn
ing when requested to do so by the Off
cials of the schools.
Sixteen state universities have been ex-
amined by DR.. Babcock during the past
year in respect to equipment organiza-
tion and work, and special reports have
been prepared upon each. This work was
done pursuant to an agreement entered
into with the National Association of
State Universities. which requested the
federal bureau to make a uniform ey-
animation of the state universities in ad-
dition to the inspection of land grant in
StitutionS.
Twelve privately endowed colleges and
universities, in all instances at their own
request, also have been examined by DIR.
Babcock. The result is that they have
been aided materially in their plans for
future development.
Sometimes the request for. exper. as
SiStance comes from the state depart
ments of public instruction. Thus, the
State of Oregon asked and received the
services of DR.. Babcock IS an expert in
standardizing her colleges and unirer-
sites, in accordance with a state law of
1911. Similarly, the state education COM
mission of Virginia obtained detailed
report upon the five institutions of higher
education receiving support from that
commonwealth.
Expansion OF Work Remarkable.
The extent to which this phase OF the
bureaus work has expanded is said to
be remarkable, when it is considered that
as federal bureau it has no authority
whatever in the several states. except
in connection with land grand institutions,
and merely makes recommendations
which the colleges may adopt or not as
they see fit. The bureau acts only in an
advisory capacity, and only upon request
of the institutions concerned, in making
the Investigations. \ still further ex-
tension of this service is anticipated when
more of the colleges and universities
realize the value of an examination by
an experienced and sympathetic special
ist.
Much of the time and energy of the di-
vision of higher education is devoted to
supervision of the colleges in states which
not only received grants of land under
the Morrill, act of 1862 but are now re-
ceiving 81, 100000 annually from the fed
eral government. BY careful personal
inspection of these institutions. and by
close scrunity of the jnana cement of their
lands and finances. bureau officials say,
an annual income of thousands of dol
lars already has been secured 5r4