The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-26
MAKES TANDARDS.
|. FOR SCHOOL WORK
Educators Confer at Capitol on
Methods of Accrediting
Institutions.
INSPECTION WILL BE HAD
Diplomas Intended to Mean
Something-fn Accordance
With Rating.

A conference of Virginia educators
was held at the Capitol yesterday FOR
the PURPOSE Of evolving standards OF
instruction in the secondary SCHOOLS
of the State Especial reference was
had to high schools the object being
to work out a system whereby the
public may know what the chiidfeh IN
any particular school are getting.
one high school looks like another
20 the average citizen. who merely
hears the name, and is convinced that
the institution IN his locality IS Just
as good as any other high school. But
there are all sorts and grades OF such
schools. some of which give a com
piete four-year course Of fourteen units.
and others give practically nothing at
all.
There are colleges presenting grad
yates with diplomas certifying that
they are bachelors of arts. when they
have received d course lower in effect
than that obtainable free at the local
public high school. This situation has
been demonstrated to exist in Virginia
The parents have wasted money in
paying for the college education.
Must Standardize Work.
Again, there are honest dinerences-
Some schools emphasize certain lines
of study. and do not give what is re-
course Most of these institutions.
colleges, private schools. academies,
public schools, are willing and anxious
TO cooperate with any effort toward
Standardization, SO that the PUBIC
may know just what a school has TO
give, and so that diplomas OF gradua-
ton will be sufficient without further
trouble 70 gain entrance TO higner IN
situations of learning. They will con
10 Cd hx-n
So it was that an association was
formed. with representatives from each
Southern State, to effect a standard.
The work must be done in the state
first. and then unified through further
conferences between the different states
That for Virginia was done yesterday
and great progress was made
1t is intended that a certificate from
any particular school will at once show
the preparation of the student for en-
trance to a college. medical or scientific
school, or university.
Members OF Conference.
DR.. Charles c. Maphis, professor OF
secondary education at the University
of Virginia is president of the confer
ence for Virginia. and presided at yes
terday's meeting. DR.. r. T. Blackwell.
president of Randolph-Macon COL
lege. at Ashland and w. NJ Black, prin-
cipal of the Lynchburg High School,
are the other mem bers of the general
conference from Virginia-Dr- Maphis
representing State Institutions, DIT.
Blackwell non-State institutions and
Professor Black the public schools.
With them they have associated j.
Carter Walker, head master of WOOD
berry Forest Academy. representing
private schools; Professor E H Rus
sell, president of the Fredericksburg
Normal and Industrial School for Wo-
men. representing normal schools, and
r. c. Stearnes, Superintendent OF PUB
lie instruction, representing the State
Board of Education
With these commissioners there met
Yesterday the following educators: Dr.
j. A. Morehead, president of Roanoke
College Dr. II. T. Graham. president
of Hanpden-Sidney College; DR.. F
w. Boatwright, president of Richmond
College; Dr. J. S. Wilson. of William
and Mary College; DR.. H. c. Camp
bell. of Washington and Lee Univer-
sisy; DR.. J. P. Mcconnell. of Emory
and Henry College; DR.. John E. Will
liams, of the Virginia Polytechnic Insti-
tute: Dr.. J. l.. Jarman, president OF
the state Female Normal School at
Farmville: DR.. r. E Gaines. OF Rich
mond College: Professor Julian A
Burruss, president of the Harrisonourg
Normal and Industrial School for Wo-
men; DR.. J. NJ. Page. dean of the fac
ulty of the University of Virginia; Z.
r. Chesterman, secretary to the state
Board of Education; ]. B. Terrell and
E. E. Worrell, of the Department OF
Public instruction