Milford chronicle., 1915-09-03
new STUDY COURSE FOR HIGH
SCHOOLS IS A Big CHANGE


ton, after several months of careful
study and planning for a proper
course of study for the approved
High Schools, have at last agreed up
on a plan, which now becomes Oper-
ative, and which will in a measure
change the entire educational system
OF Delaware's Schools.
The course of study was prepared
by DR.. Charles A. Wagner, State Com
missioner of Education, assisted by
Prof. E. L. Cross, superintendent of
the Public Schools of New Castle
County.
Dr.. Wagner in predatory state
ment has this to say of the bulletin
just issued and which will be sent to
every teacher in the State.
Delaware High Schools have had as
many kinds of High School courses
as they have had High School prin-
cipals. Each principal prepared and
worked by his own course of study.
This condition led to the demand for
common standards of work and attain
ment in High Schools. The course
of study here presented is an attempt
to secure the start toward unity and
relatedness of the work of all the
High Schools. After this start has be-
come thoroughly incorporated, a more
complete harmony will be possible.
1t was this view of the worth of the
present effort that gave the commit
tee courage to procer this course. 1t
will surely improve conditions. 1t
will not meet all difficulties. 1t will
not solve all high school problems"
The first subject dealt with in the
bulletin is "A State approved High
School," and under this head the State
Board has fixed these requirements
for such approved High School:
l. Grades. 1t must have ninth |
and tenth grade. 1t may also have a |
and twelfth grade.
2. Teachers. Each teacher and the |
must have a secondary |
teachers certificate or a normal
school or college graduates certif- !
cate.
8. The school must be kept open
$50 days each year.
Unit of work. In the approved high
schools of Delaware, a unit of work
shall consist of not less than $50 reci-
tations in any subject, each recitation
occupying 80 or more minutes a day.
In any $50 day high school daily reci-
tations in a subject for the entire year
will thus constitute a unit in the sub
ject. A half unit will consist of daily
recitations for half year, or Of reci-
tations every other day for the entire
year"
Classification of High Schools on
this basis. Hereafter high schools
will be known as follows: A 10 unit
nigh school, which shall be the desig-
nation for a high school whose course
covers two years and whose students
complete ten units of standard work;
. 10 unit high school which shall be
he designation of a high school
whose course covers four years, and
whose students complete 20 units of
tandard work. This obviates the use
# the terms First grade high
chool and so on, with its invidious
aduation-Values for graduation
hall be no Eighth Grade taught in
ny of the ten unit, one teacher High
school. High Schools not brought
ntO conformity with this requirement
yill be recommended to be stricken
rom the approved list. The CONNER
ial course in every High School may
OF after 1916, lead to earlier gradu-
tion than other courses of the same
chool. Beginning with 1916, APPROX
d High Schools will be required to
ecure and employ enough teachers
r reduce the number of courses and
tudies to permit each recitation to
e thirty or more minutes in length. !
During 1915-1916 an approximation {
, this length will be accepted, but af-
IT this year the minimum length will q
e insisted upon, or the penalty of (
eing dropped from the approved list :
i'll be recommended.
raduatiOn-Values for graduation
lould be assigned from this scale.
o graduate from a high school, the
udent should have completed sue
,ssfully and satisfactorily, a total of e
n units of work, according as the a
hoOl is a ten unit, fifteen unit, or
twenty unit high school. d
Arrangements are now in progress D
T final examinations in the common
hoOl branches by the county super r
tendents at the end of the high !.
hOOl course, and for the awarding =
credit toward a teachers certificate u
r any and all of the teachers "
anches, passed in the final High b.
hOOl examination.
The studies as arranged and order Il
on the basis of minimum teaching j
rec, permit care of three classes of g
ldents: College Preparatory, Teach {
: Preparatory, Commercial Pre- =,
This is a rather wide va =,
ty. of needs met with a very simple y
escriptiOn of work. This meets the
finite needs and wishes of between
and so per cent of the High School
dents. Oh