Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-15


to guard the entrance gate OF tho
State Board may rightly be figured
as an angel. Will certainly be oue,
uoned by those seeking admission.
out there can be no doubt that the
entrance gate is guarded. and that
the guardian has a flaming sword of
veto: AS the recognition and regis
trat!on Of the junior college type is
due to the initiative Of the State board
and as that body feels natural pride
In the bantlings that 1t has adopted
and christcned, there is no room for
rear that the board Will lower it's
standard OF adoption or be indiscrimi-
nate In Its christening.
The second influence that makes for
the rigid test OF the junior college
is that OF the standard colleges. Nat
urally these colleges have no desire
10 see the increase OF institutions that
may make inroads upon their patron
ago by holding students OF the fresh
man and sophomore years. So long,
then, as there is no over-crowding OF
the State colleges and universities
these institutions will probably frown
upon any attempt unduly to increase
tho number Of their competitors In
the shape Of Junior colleges.
The final and strongest influence that
must stand in the way OF the rapid IN
crease of junior colleges is the desire
to limit State expense. The Virginia
Legislature might view with indiffer-
ence the registering of private schools
MS junior colleges, but there would
be decided opposition nnd outcry, IL
it were proposed to expand certain
public high schools into Junior COL
lcges, as has been done in California
Against such a proposal 1t Is probable
that the State board, the colleges and
the Legislature would mako common
cause on the ground of unnecessary
expense and duplication OF courses in
public institutions. 1t Is obvious that
for years Virginia must devote her
income and energy to the laudable
task Of raising the weak high schools
to the four-year level rather than to
the questionable end OF adding two
additional years to favored high
schools.
Two Vital Questions.
Two matters press for prompt do
cision In the formal recognition of the
new norm. First of all arises the
question Of authority. Who Is to de-
rank as a junior college? Who is to
formulate the tests of entrance into
tho junior college fold and who is to
see that these tests are duly applied?
The simple and natural answer would
seem to be, the State Board of Edu-
chton or virginia. AT tho present
time. the whole matter of fixing and
applying such tests is managed by this
board. and the writer Is Of opinion that
IT should remain there and that it will
remain there.
And yet ono OF the surprising facts
In tho history OF tho Junior college
In Virginia Is that an earnest effort
has been made and is still being made,
to put the testing and recognition Of
junior colleges in this State absolutely
In the hands Of Ave designated North
ern colleges that do not even recognize
tho Junior college norm. 1t will be
interesting to follow this attempt in
Its bearing on tho present situation.
The second vital question of the
moment relates to the status OF tho
Junior college, the contents of it's
course Of study, and It's general plan
and purpose. Is the Junior college
simply half n college. or is 1t n distinct
and integral norm of education ?
Should It be dominated by tho colleges.
as to the required work and electives
of it's thirty hours, or should 1t be nj
lowed tho privilege given the high
schools. to suit It's work to those not
going further In college work ms we'll
as to those looking to a bachelor
degree in a college?
Ia tho Junior college to prepare
| neEoly. for the tunior- olasf OF. college,