The Topeka state journal., 1913-09-13
READY FOR SCHOOL
Opening Day VIII Be Next
Tuesday.
Attendance i'm City Schools Will
Show Increase.
ISSUED COURSE OF STUDY
Printed Instructions by New
Superintendent.
Some of the Changes That
Have Been Made.

Next Tuesday morning there will be
hurry and scurry'' on the part of
thousands of children of Topeka. 1t is
then that the city schools will be
opened The attendance, it is expect
ed, will show material increase over
1912-1913. when the total enrolment for
the entire school year was S,054 pupils.
There have been many changes made
since the school closed last spring.
There is a new man at the head of
things-Superintende H. B. Wilson.
Many teachers have resigned and their
places have been filed. Improvements
have been made at the respective
school buildings and now with one or
two exceptions they are in excellent
physical condition.
The new SUPERINTENDENT has issued a
booklet giving the course of study for
the elementary schools and suggestions
for the teachers. He puts special en-
phasis on the common branches of
study; he is a believer in thoroughness
in work
His attitude is shown in his introduce
ton in the booklet which reads in part
as follows:
Will Visit the Glass Rooms.
"A necessary basis for planning a
course of study is a thorough satur;i-
tion with conditions as they exist in the
schools. 1t is my desire to spend as
much time as possible during the next
few months in the class rooms, that I
may become thoroughly familiar with
the work which is being done in the
schools and with the methods which
are being employed. Only thus can I
discover the weaknesses in our work
which We shall all wish to strengthen
Likewise in this way will the omissions
in our plans and methods appear. All
of US, I am sure, will be anxious to
supply these omissions
Of So
rections and suggestions peculiarly ap-
propriate to the system of schools i'll
which it is to be used. It should not
only indicate the texts to be used and
the scope to be covered from grade to
grade in the various texts, but it should
also suggest ways of approach and
methods of execution. If possible, it
should illustrate with concrete work its
point of view and the methods it advo-
Gates.
only by taking time to become IA
miliar with the system where the
course of study is to function, can that
course of study be produced. Further,
it is not a task the superintendent may
safely do alone. nor which the superin-
tendent and supervisors may safely DO
alone. These officers have the general
point of view in reference to the needs
of the schools, and are in a position t.
inject the right balance, perhaps, into
the course Oh Out the D65L
judges of details which should be at
tempted from grade to grade and of the
methods which will proba bly, be most
effective in the various grades are the
principals and teachers. Their coun
sci. therefore. must be had in the de-
velopment of the concrete details
which should enter into every course
of study. OF no less value also in the
formulation of the course of study is
the counsel and advice of the intelligent
citizenship. which is vitally interested
in the schools and in education. Their
contribution also must be secured.
Improve Course of Study.
''As soon as we have become sufficient
ly well acquainted, I hope certain ma
chinery may be set in operation which
will result in such improvements from
time to time in our course of study as
are necessary in the interests of prog
ress in securing the largest returns for
our children. While it will require
more time to modify our course of
study by this cooperative procedure.
the results in the long run are apt to
be more desira BILE. I am sure l may