The Dolores star., 1915-10-22
(CopyrEht DI By the Mcclure Newspaper syndicats)
EDUCATION ron A SPECIFIC pvR.
POSE.

EDUCATION FOR A SPECIFIC PUR
POSE.
The passing generation will recall
the days of the old red schoolhouse-
which, by the way, was seldom paint
ed red-when academic education was
primarily confined to two distinct In.
stitutions: the common school, which
did not then begin with . kindergar-
ten, but plunged the pupil Immediately
into the 3 RS of learning; and the
college. which confined itself to the
classics. o.
percentage of boys entered college,
and there was no higher institution Of
learning open to girls than the semi
nary. with q curriculum similar to
that Of our present high school.
The young man who desired to en-.
ter technical trade or to perfect
himself for any vocation, had to learn
this business, trade, or profession, "at
the last" SO to speak. Even the
would-be lawyer read law in a law
office. and the dentist entered q dem
lists office as an apprentice.
Today educational conditions have
changed, and there are innumerable
technical schools As we'll as those
teaching some one concrete profes-
sion. ...
The young man, then, may learn
his trade either in the old way, by
entering it. or by attending some in
stitution specializing in the vocation
which he Is to follow. ..
Which is the better way?
Both. ! say. ...
II one is to take up q technical
trade requiring . scientific or other
special knowledge. he would better
spend few years In some institution
which teaches one this vocation, or
those allied to 1t, and then finiah his
education in the Workshop OF the
office Of concern devoted to 1t.
It 10 obvious that the factory or the
office cannot as easily impart the fun.
damental principles of . vocation as
can well-eNuipped institution.
While at work the apprentice is
obliged to do many things which are
not directly contributing to his edu.
cation. He obtains experience, it is
true, but he is not allowed to have
that broadness of view which would
come to him in school,
The atmosphere of a schoolroom is
conducive to efficiency. One has moth,
ing else to think about; and, there,
fore. can devote his entire time to
obtaining better knowledge of the
work he is to do for a living.
In recommending the technical
schools, am aware that many of
them are altogether too theoretical or
academic, and that they are. perhaps.
too broad instead OF specific; but, for
all that, the well-equipped technical
school places before its pupils the
great fundamental principles, which
If rightly understood and applied, are
of untold benefit.
Certain lines, however. cannot be
taught in school; but fundamental
knowledge of the majority of tech
meal trades can be impaired in the
schoolroom and laboratory.
Practically all of our best technical
schools. including institutes of tech
nology. are managed by experts. who
fortunately. are composite men, no,
only understanding science, but hav
ing the ability to impart its prin
ciples.
A graduate of one of these insti
tutes, while he may begin close tc
the bottom of the ladder. and while
he may work for a year or more
alongside of the young man who ha.
not been favored with his opportuni
ties. will eventually, all things being
equal, advance more rapidly than viii
one who entered the trade as an ap
prentice without good technical sci,oo
training.
While this school training does no
wholly give the experience of tn,
workshop, 1t will teach one. first, tn,
fundamental principles. and. secondly
how more easily to apply them.