Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-23
High School, and Community

How can the high school best EieeL |
the needs of the community? The
people of Colebrook, N. f., think
they have solved the problem. Their
experiment is interestingly described
is a bulletin just issued for free dis
tribution by the United States Bureau
of Education.
Colebrook academy is located in a
town of about 1000 population in
northern New Hampshire. Starting
in the first third of the century as
private school, it later became part Of
the public system of education. For
years it has successfully done the
work expected for high school in
the traditional branches of the New
do something more. Without lower
ing it's standards, without ceasing to
furnish the training necessary for
those going into the professions, it
is endeavoring to provide an al 'luate
education for the great mass of boys
and girls who ought to remain and
grow up with the country. 1t is seek
81
to the needs of the particular COM
munity in which it is. Just what this
readjustment means may Re seen
from the following four significant
additions to the school plant; the
greenhouse, the dairy laboratory, the
domestic department, and the work
shop, including carpenter and black
1afA
given in agriculture and domestic
science. Colebrook Is the center of
rural district, and these are the vital
interests of a large part of the popu-
| lation.
Colebrook academy does not propose
! to become a vocational school. 1t
remains a general high school. The
course in agriculture and domestic
science exist side by side with thor
ough courses in the traditional high
school subjects, as well as the COM
mercial branches. It's purpose is not
| primarily to make good farmers, or
| skilled mechanics, or professional
housekeepers," says Hon. H. c. Morrt-
son, state superintendent of New
| AC ODJCSL ID
the education of the boy or girl to
become a sincere and efficient and
happy man and woman, capable OF be-
coming an educated worker rather
with material things, capable of get
ting life's happiness out Of work rath-
er than out of the leisure which comes
after work, If indeed 1t comes at all.
A further purpose is to educate the
strongest youth toward the farm and
| the industries instead of toward the
professions and business exclusively"
In the work of the school 1t is repeat
eddy EMPHASIZED that the new courses
are established in the belief that
there is Just as truly cultural de-
velopment of the individual to be had
from competent instruction in agri-
culture or domestic science as from
competent instruction in Latin"
The significance of the Colebrook
movement lies in the fact that 1t
demonstrates the basic principle upon
which the American high school must
stand or fall; that it shall be a direct
source Of strength TO the community
| ll4cl pdsE AOl H. 1AO iSctluS cAlElS
that secondary rural schools have In
many instances weakened the COM
munities which supported them; that
by the very efficiency OF their work,
they have trained young men and
women for other fields of usefulness
and thus frequently deprived the COM
munity OF the services OF its best
citizens. 1t is said that New Hamp-
shire has been notable sufferer from
this process, and that readjustment is
necessary II the process is to be
checked and the upbuildfng of the
country districts Is to go on again.
All over the country there is the
same problem. Ie sesuss obvious that
II the public high school is to justify
Itself IT must constantly put back into
the community the best Of each gen.
Grafton as permanent residents.
! Particularly important Is the part