The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1916-02-18
I low Our Public Schools
Are Conducted

wishes of community. Ii 1t Is one
of a general literary turn, then the
school usually reflects this by teach
ing more of the classical subjects. If
the community is one largely made up
of working and trades people, then
the manual arts, agricultural. etc. are
stressed. Care must be used in either
case that In the effort to satisfy COM
munity demands the curriculum does
not become unbalanced, for even tho
a person may favor certain kind of
work, he can never be truly educated
by following that lines alone. The
Douglas County High School has been
gradually working toward the voca-
tional studies in the past few years.
Agriculture has been taught for three
years, this year shorthand and type
writing have been added, and next
semester work i'm domestic science has
been provided for the girls. More "a
bout these various courses will be
given in another article.
Another factor which must be con-
sidered in making up course of
study, is the entrance requirements of
universities. While this factor is not
as important as the first, If it can be
observed without handicapping the
true preparation for life of the pupil
1t places him in a position where, If
he cares to, he can continue his high
er education without the necessity of
preliminary examinations. BE it said
to the credit of the universities, they
are extending the limits of their credit
for work done, some even going so
far as to accept for entrance any
.ra5;tc fbat oradnata of CT a N da rd
high school may offer. Present day
educators regard this as a decidedly
sensible thing to do inasmuch as the
vocational training is being more and
more regarded as of much value from
a cultural standpoint, as the so-called
classical studies. This does not mean
however, that an excess of manual
work will produce any nearer a bal
anced individual than will an entirely
classical" course.
Besides these things, the admins
traitors and teachers of shool system
should use their influence to foster a
community interest in the schools and
in the betterment of the community at
large. Home and social influences are
large factors in determining a child's
attitude toward his school work, and
i'm order that thee hid should have
definite ideas about the value of his
education, he should have those ideas
presented from those in whom he is
yitally interested. If it were possible
to get every father and every monther
to realize the value of an education in
this rapidly advancing age, they
would see to il that their boys and
girls entertained no other idea than
that they should finish high school
and perhaps go to college. To a boy
or girl with an ambition to make
something of themselves, higher
education is nearly essential There
are some men who have made great
successes in the world who had lit
tie education, but when compared
with the number who have made fail
ures. the number of the former is
quite insignificant.
These are some of the functions re-
quired and expected of school exc
cutive In the articles following
there will be given certain informa-
tion about the various departments of
the school system and about some of
the things that the schools have as
their aim. 1t is quite possible that
they may be of interest to many who
do not have the time to investigate
personally, yet would like to know the
reasons for the giving of certain
courses and the carrying on of certain
ap.iVitifs