Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-09-25
MINERAL POINT
HIGH SCHOOL
Another Interesting Article by E.
C. Gotham, Principal.
FEW STUDENTS SPECIALIZE
Other High School Happenings of
interest are Reported This Week
by Harvey HuxtabIe, a Member of
the Class of 1914.

interest are Reported This Week
by Harvey HuxtabIe, a Member of
the Class of 1914.
The comparative cost and compare
tive value of the various courses
offered in the high school have long
been a subject of debates by lead
ing educators and by those responsible
for the local curricula in the various
high schools of the country When
high schools were first established
throughout the country they supplanted
in very large numbers, the academies
and private schools that had grown up
AS preparatory schools for those stu
dents that wished to enter college. OF
necessity the courses of study in these
schools were designed to meet the de-
mands of such college entrance require
ments. The high school naturally
fashioned its course of study for this
same purpose, as this was the only
definite function that the high school
recognized at that time. As the high
schools multiplied in number and in
creased in strength and recognition,
owing in part to the generous support
offered by the state for their mainte-
nance, it became evident that prepara-
ton for college was not the only func-
ton that the high school could we'll
perform.
1t was found that only small per-
centage, in general less than ten per
cent, of those that attended the high
school ever went to college. These
schools were attended, not only by the
sons and daughters of the wealthy but
by those of the middle class, who were
able to give their children few years
of schooling beyond the common school,
provided this could be received at
home, before committing them to the
tender mercies of the industrial world
and the unequal struggles of life's COM
petitions.
Now some of the more progressive
high schools investigated the needs of
the majority of their students and
modified their courses of study accord
ingly. But for the most part, and ow-
ing largely to the ultra conservatism
of the teachers themselves, who had
been prepared to teach in preparatory
schools and who continued to draw
their chief inspiration from the college,
instead of from the people whom they
served directly, the high school has
continued to administer the traditional
courses of study, not only for those few
who are preparing for college but for
all who continue to attend them.
The law requiring every high school
to offer course in the theory and art of
teaching was recognition of another
important function that belonged to the
high school other than the preparation
for college.
A few high schools Of this state have
recognized their opportunity to serve
their respective communities, and have
long maintained effective courses in the
training of teachers. Undoubtedly it
was the general failure of the high school
to recognize its opportunity in this res
pect that led to the establishment of the
county training schools. In many
counties this important function has
thus been taken away from the high
school and given to special schools.
2aoapt 1aoi clatiOp hos aoaip Oyapa1 +ha
way far the high school. 1t is now
possible for any high school to main
tain a teachers training course.
Graduation from such a course exenpts
the student from the humiliating re-
quirement of attending a summer train
ing school for period of six weeks be-
fore being allowed to write for
teachers certificate. But far more
than this, pursuing such course is a
direct preparation for the chosen work
of large percentage of the students in
many Of our high schools. The state
not only permits the establishment of
such courses, but encourages it by
way of special aid for the payment of a
teachers salary, in the counties in
which there is no county training
school.
Is there demand for teachers train
inG course as a part Of the training
offered in our local high school:
E. c. GOTHAM, Supt.