Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1913-09-18
THE HIGH SCHOOL

The high school has long been called
the peoples college. This is because
the courses of study are more liberal
and extended than those of the com
mon schools, which aim to provide the
essentials for all children. The tuition
in the high school is free, so far as the
individual Is concerned, thus making it
possible for every one who wishes to
obtain more than the bare essentials of
a common school education. These in
stitutions are also so numerous and so
conveniently located that il is possible
for almost any young person to attend
high school without absenting him
self or herself from the influences of
the home for long periods of time.
The high school, regarded in the full
ness of its possibilities, is certainly a
grand opportunity for the youth of our
country. Whether it performs its full
function depends upon how well it
serves the needs of those who attend
it. If the high school binds its en-
ergies exclusively to the preparation of
its students for college, when less than
ten per cent of its average member
ship ever intend TO enter college, there
are no doubts as to whether this
peoples college" is serving to the
fullest extent the interests of all the
people.
Again if large percentage of the
graduates of high school desire to en-
gage in teaching, and if the training
offered il that high school is so foreign
to this profession, as applied in our
rural schools that such graduates are
not even allowed to write at public
examination held for the purpose of
licensing teachers for such rural
schools, it would appear that such high
school had not found its true mission
or else that its students had not found
the right school.
Or if from rs to so per cent of the
membership of any high school come
frcm farms, or are the sons and daugh-
tiers of parents interested in farming,
and if everything in the category of
human knowledge is taught in that
school, save agriculture and its allied
subjects, it would seem that society is
interested in weaving its sons and
daughters away from this fundamental
occupation instead of interesting them
in it from a scientific standpoint.
The above remarks are not offered as
criticisms, since the writer hasn't suf-
ficient first hand information concern
ing the educational needs of the com
munity to offer criticisms. But it is
often the case that the ancient and
traditional courses Of study offered in
our high schools fall far short Of serv-
ing best the interests of the majority
of those attending them.
1t is purposed to make a thorough
investigation of the local situation, and
on the basis Of such reliable facts as
can be determined. to bring the whole
MATES to the attention Of the Board Of
Education, together with the facts con-
corning the special inducements that
are offered by the State for the pur-
pose of encouraging those communities
that desire to serve, in the most
efficient manner possible, those young
people that attend the high school
If those who are keenly interested in
this matter Of the high school courses
of study will find opportunity TO ex-
press themselves, such opinions will be
gladly received and carefully consid-
cred E. G. GOTHAM, Supt.