Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-03
U. OF NAMES DEPARTURE.
Will Accept Graduates Of All "Class
A" Hiah Schools and Academies.

Tho University of Maine has decided
to withdraw from the New England
College Entrance Certificate Board and
to accept the school record OF any
graduate of a Glass A" high school or
academy in Maine who has taken
course approved by the State Superin-
tendent. This action is taken at the
advice and with the hearty cooperation
of State superintendent Payson Smith.
The New England Board has done a
great service to the schools and col
leges of New England in raising stand
ards of scholarship and in strengthen
ing. the general work of the secondary
schools. The conviction has been grow
ing. however. that the best interests Of
the schools of Maine now demand that
the peculiar needs of Maine be more
fully recognized and that the schools
of the state be no longer governed by
out side standards Nor is there at pres
ent any necessity for an outside stand
ard. The State educational department
was established for the purpose OF de-
veloping the school facilities OF the
State and of rendering the schools as
efficient as possible. 1t is directly re-
spop sible to the needs and conditions
of Maine and does not need to take IN
to consideration the needs of schools IN
other states whose conditions are very
different from our own
In the past there have been TWO
agencies working for certain STANDARDS
in our schools, the state eduationai de-
partment. in charge of all the schools
of the State, and the New England
board. sin cooperation with certain col
lages in Maine and in other New Eng
land states. Under the new plan there
will he entire cooperation between the
State educational department. ana the
University of Maine. The University
agrees to accept the graduates of any
Glass A high school who have taken
courses approved by the State superin-
tendent. and the State superintendent
agrees to hold these schools up to a
standard which will assure adequate
preparation for college. The efficient
administration of our State superinten-
dent is sufficient guarantee that this
standard will be maintained.
The University of Maine is under Pc
cnliar obligation to take this step for
the reason that an institution support
| ed AS this is, so largely by public
money must consider first its obligation
/ to the people and to the schools OF the
state. The people have right to de-
nand that there be as close Union ne
tween the public high schools and the
university as it is possible to obtain
II must be made possible for any boy
| or girl in the state to receive the bes'
the state has to offer i'm the way OF
Collegiate or professional education ano
there must he as few obstacles IN TN
i way of his receiving it rs is necessary
So far as the university IS concerned
there is no reason for refusing admls
sion to any graduate of high schoo
or academy in Maine who has taken
course approved by the State snperin
tendent for it is his special business Y
see that these schools maintain q nig'
standard.
In taking this action the university |
placing itself in position to rende
great service to the secondary school
OF the State