Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-20
The Cost Is Increasing.

I'm relation to the High schools OF
The State the cost and worth will be
considered. II the cost is increasing
as it would appear, then the worth of
the schools to the commonwealth must
be demonstrated or the system may be
rightly open to criticism. In estimat-
ing the cost Of maintaining the High
schools Of the State the amount paid
for instruction is the largest constant
factor.
This has risen from s353,54O in 1910
to $470,46l last year. yet the average
cost per pupil has only advanced from
S31.3S TO $32.11 in the same period
During the period ii buildings for
High school purposes costing approx
rnatel% S1!2,o"0 ami - coordination
High school and grade buildings cost
ing S2S0.00O have been erected. OF the
latter item at least one-fourth of the
cost properly may be charged to the
High school account The general
running expenses also show a steady
increase.
Worth Shown by Growth.
If the cost of maintenance is in
creasing the schools are or are not
proving their worth. This NAV be
measured in part by growth and ser
wee. If they are attracting more
young people, if they are holding them
longer, they are proving their worth by
growth. If they are offering a wider
range Of subjects and courses they
may be deemed to be proving their
worth by service.
But are our High schools as eff
fective in this particular as those of
other states? The United States Com
missioner's Report for 1914, the lates.
available Data, shows a gain in per-
manence of High school scholars, the
percentage Of fourth year to the total
number Of students being 116S in 1911
and 1884 in 1914. Maine is consider
ably in advance of the nation as
whole in this respect. The commits
sioner's report shows that onl- five
states have a higher percentage Of
students in the fourth year class than
does Maine
"On the other hanl, there is much to
he done in the matter of prolonging
High school life if nearly one-half of
those entering leave school before the
i
be matter Of serious concern to
school authorities, teachers and the
community at large when a boy or
girl leaves the High school before the
completion of the four years course
Worth Shown by the Service Rem
dered.
Another factor in determining the
worth of the school is the number Of
pupils who continue their education
beyond the High schools Only the
statistics Of the classes entering the,
Maine normal schools and colleges are
available.
The information showed that the
rumber who have entered have risen in
the normal schools from 2s2 to 334
since 1912, a very appreciate gain in
the face of the great demand for
teachers who have had at least High
school training. For the colleges the
figures are even more significant. Since
1912 when complete data was first
available the number OF students en-
tering Maine colleges from the stan
card High schools has risen from 443
to 544. II is evident that the schools
are stimulating more and more stu
dents to continue their education in
better institutions.
The service which the schools are
rendering must also be measured by
the courses and subjects offered. If Il
greater number of courses are offered
by the schools of the state or if these
show an increase in the enrolment, t
may be taken as evidence that the
schools are endeavoring to provide
more varied training for those who
may attend.
A study shows that in 1910, 1870
standard High schools We're offering
241 different courses, or more properly,
ourricular including English, college
preparatory. commercial, agriculture
mechanic and domestic arts. Last
year 145 Glass A High schools were
Offering 36S Of the curricula men
toned. 1t will he seen that not only
through the establishment of new
schools but in a very great degree by
the Introduction of new curricula the
have been extended
while not closely related to the
discussion, it may not be out of place
Ia consider at this point the changing
trend of educational interests as shown
ir the number of pupils studying Ger
ia il! subjects. The effort which the
state as q whole is making to improve
the High schools is very commercial BILE
The appeal which these schools are
making to the young people encour-
ages larger outlay Of money and eff
fort, The influence in the common
" ealth of this ambitious, educated,
we'll trained body of young citizens en-
tering year by year into active life is
of great significance. The future of
the State will be moulded in large
measure by the influence of the High
school upon it's students.
Courses Of Study in Small Schools.
The increase in enrolment in High
schools throughout the country has
tended to broaden the curricula of the
schools, owing to the greater variety
Of needs represented by those who at
tend. In the larger schools of the
State cons:dera BILE effort has been made
to adjust courses to serve better the
interests OF the students. The courses
introduced are related to certain
phases of vocational training. Thus
far the commercial course is the most