Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-05-06
CRANCEV|LLE SCHOOL BOARD IN
VESTICATES JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
PROF. RICE VISITS LEWISTON
SCHOOL WHICH HAS SUCH A
SYSTEM AND GIVES REPORT
OF INVESTIGATION.

Having in mind the establishment of
the Junior High School as part of our
school system, the School Board in
structed me to visit the Lewiston
schools where such high school has
been successfully established. In ac-
cordance with this idea 1 spent two in
terestings days last week in visiting
the Lewiston High School, and though
I went there somewhat skeptical OF the
results such plan can accomplish, l
came away fairly convinced of many
points of superiority over the old plan.
The Junior High School movement is
a comparatively new movement in edu-
cation, and has for its purpose the ad-
justment of the school curriculum to
meet more fully the demands of the
day. About a score of cities in the
United States have adopted the plan,
the largest of these being Los Angeles
and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Besides
Lewiston, there are three others in
Idaho,-Couer d Alene, Bonners Ferry
and st. Anthony. From all of these
places comes the report that both pupils
and parents are highly satisfied with
the innovation. In Lewiston Isfound,
as far as could inquire, pupils, parents
and teachers unanimous in their praise
of the Junior High School.
The plan Of the Junior High School
calls for the organization of the
seventh, eighth and ninth grades into
one body somewhat similar to the pres
ent high school organization. Thus
the division between elementary and
secondary education is made the end of
the sixth grade, which is both the
natural and psychological point of divi-
sion. In the curriculum some subjects
and many topics are eliminated and The
attention is centered more upon the
essentials. Some freedom is allowed in
the selection of subjects, which per-
mits the beginning of pre-vocational
work. The liberty of selection varies
from one one fourth of the work in the
first year (seventh grade) to three
fourths or four-fifths of the work in
the third year (ninth grade.) The
amount of work which pupi; may
carry depends upon his capability The
scheme permits the completion of the
6 years work of the Junior and Senior
high school within 5 years.
Though the plan abolishes some OF
the old subject matter, it permits the
election of other subjects of practica
nature, such as domestic science, agri
culture, manual training and German IL
these grades. This permits emphasis
upon a work of more practical nature
In the case of the German, it has beel
found that pupils in the seventh ant
eighth grades find it easier to learl
the language at this time than during
the last years of the Senior high school
The argument for the Junior Higl
School can be summed up under tn
following heads:
/. 1t is more elastic. Permits tn
adjustment of the course to needs o
the pupil more fully than the old way
2. 1t saves time for the pupil. Th
failure in one subject does not mea
the repeating of the whole years worl
since promotion is by subjects instea
of grades.
8. 1t is the natural and Psychologist
division of pupils.
A. 1t bridges the gulf between tn
high school and the grades.
5. Keeps pupils in school longe
since the eighth grade examination
abolished and with it goes the tendenc
to quit school at such stopping poin
Pupils once in the Junior High Scho
desire to finish it and by the time the
have done this, they generally see Il
value in continuing their work thru Il
Senior High School.
6. More efficient teaching result
The departmental plan permits the er
ployment of special teachers for Il
different subjects.
7. Greater interest aroused tn
larger numbers in one body.
s's If the Junior High School should
installed. its success will require {
combined support of parents, teacher
and pupils In order that we mi
know the attitude of all toward tn
we freely invite criticism both fave
able and unfavorable. ID. f. Il. HI