The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-12-28
EDUCATION in 1915.
Some Developments Of Schools in the
United States.

Some Developments OF Schools in thu
United States.
In striking contrast with the upheava
in Europe is the peaceful advance of edu
cation in the United States as recorded
in the 1918 report of the commissioner
of education.
Educational Preparedness.
Educational preparedness is the domi-
nant note of the commissioners report
The upbuildng OF systems of industrial
education, whereby Americas natural
resources are to be conserved and de-
yeloped through technical trade training,
to the end that the nation may render
highest service in the markets OF the
world; the establishment of stronger
commercial courses in public high schools,
designed to meet the new international
trade situations involved in the opening
of the Panama canal, the European war,
the improvement OF rural education, so
that boys and girls in the country may
have equal opportunities with boys and
girls in the city, and that the significance
of agriculture and country life in ma
tional well being may be fully under
stood. These and other national prob
lens wherein education plays funda
mental part are discussed in the report
and progress during the current year
outlined.
More Democracy in Education.
In general the report finds there has
been real increase during the year in
progress toward that equality of ednca-
tional opportunity which is essential in a
democracy. This is indicated, declares
Commissioner Claxton, in his introduce
ton to the report, in greater interest in
the health and care Of young children and
in a better type OF home education; in
the revival of interest in the kindergar
ten as an integral part of the public
school system; in increased appropria-
tions for longer terms and better salaries
for teachers, particularly in rural COM
where school terms have been
short and salaries OF teachers have been
small; in the enactment of school attend |
ance laws in some of the states which |
have not until now had such laws in the !
adoption of the larger unit of standards |
Of required preparation for teachers in |
some states and in the extension of the /
means of preparing teachers in normal
in departments Of education in /
colleges, and especially in teacher train
ng classes in high schools; in the in
.reased attendance in high schools; and
n the differentiation OF work. and the
adjustment OF courses of study in schools 4
ii all grades to meet the needs Of chill !,
lren of varying ability and the vocation
Il life of the communities
Reorganization of High Schools.
"Some progress has been made within
he year in the reorganization of the IL
ears OF elementary and high schools on
he basis of two equal periods OF six 1
ears each. There is a better under d
landing of what college standards should |
e, and colleges are trying more and I
more to adjust themselves to these {
tandards. This is made easier by the II
onstant improvement of the public and [
rivate high schools and especially of the i
ublic high schools. :
"The elevation of the standards Of pro- t
essional schools is due largely TO the de- t
land for higher standards in profession
| life. This has been accelerated by b
everal surveys Of professional schools r
lade by some Of the great educational t
IA
Surveys. $
"The demand for intelligent and com Z
rehensive surveys Of the equipment, ad- q
and work Of individual col l'
ges and schools and of state, county II
nd city systems of schools continues. a
he purpose of these surveys is not TO .
nd fault, but to make an intelligent U
of the schools and their re- o
Hts to the people who support them
nd are Served by them. and if possible Sc
discover means of improving them O
I'd making them render fuller measure b
service Within the year several very Il
iluable surveys of this kind have been u
ade. and more are now under way. A
be reports of these surveys already e.
institute a unique and valuable body OF D.
ucational literature" "a
Colonial Education Abroad n
In the foreign field, the report de- Of
RIDES the experiments of European ma II
ms in education for colonial service, III
g importance OF WHICH ms Uffu w tf
need by the war: Great Britain. with re
r universities and higher technical an
lools interested in preparing men for
rvice in British India; France, in the w
olonial school" at Paris, colonial in Of
tutes auxiliary 10 some Of the univer-
les. and the "School Of Political Sci 20
ce," which LAYS special stress in is Sc
ogram upon colonial AFFAIR.": Holland. on
Iich makes special provision for study se
administration in the East Indian N
onies; and Germany. with tie recent 81
organized Hamburg Colonial institute pr
its elaborate program Of studies Gov "
ne colonial problems IN every part Of ity
world. inf
The War and Education. ~
With regard to the war. Dr. GaNton ~
.laress "The great war IN Europe and
events connected Herewith have
led attention 70 the need Of prepare
n for defense against possible hostile
aston and created new interest IN
itary education. The war has affected Go
teriallv the schools in the countries Do
eetlF engaged in ID and in a smaller "a
1ee TIE schools Of other European lay