The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-29
rHE POINT IN EDUCATION.

THE POINT IN EDUCATION
New York state is in the throes of change
in ifs schools practice which in a general way
lis called the introduction of the Gary system
The principal aims of the new system are to
economic time in school rooms SO that part
II time sessions may be done away with and to
iemphasize vocational training. What Is be-
ing done is as yet matter unrevealed by the
Empire state school authorities but what is
being said by the opponents and advocates Oh
the changes in process of making is much OF 1t
foolish, according to an educator who lives not
La thousand miles from Keoknk and whe kneWsI
something of the workings of the so-caiied Gary
plan. 1t seems to be assumed, says this COM
mentator. by both sides of the controversy that
increasing the handwork of school practice
must decrease the headwork. There is no ques-
ton that it may do this but there is no reason
why it should.
To a reasonable observer tolerably familiar
with school practice it is evident that in school
a. child should be taught to know, should be
tau eht to do things as result of what he
knows and should become as a result Of what
he knows and does, useful and happy per-
son. This is trite and sensible; but it is fact
ignored by some educational controversionai-
| lists It has been rightly urged by educators
who know by experience the results Of our pub
lie school teaching that we have been laying
too much emphasis on effort to secure the
first of these three requisites without the proper
help Of the other two; that we have sought to
have children know without showing them at
once what to do with their knowledge and how
I to make it increase their Individual power to
1 do, to appreciate, to think and to enjoy. IF
the Gary system means that children are to
be taught to do one mechanical task at the ex-
pense Of learning to observe and to think and
to enjoy, it is an abominable thing But its
propaganda does not declare for any such
warping Of education; it simply declares for
increasing the child's ability to what he
learns as he learns it. The success of any edu-
icational system lies with the teachers.
! In "John Barleycorn, the book that has
been called his "alcoholic autobiography"
Jack London tells how quickly he achieved ms
reputation as writer. "Critics have
planned about the swift education one Of my
characters, Martin Eden, achieved says Lon
DON ''In three years, from a sailor with COM
mon school education, [ made successful
writer of him The critics say this is impos-
sible. Yet was Martin Eden. At the end Of
three working years, two of which were spent
in high school and the university and one spent
at writing, and all three in studying immensely
and intensely, [ was publishing stories IN maya
zines such as the Atlantic Monthly, was cor
recting proofs Of my first book, was selling
sociological articles to Cosmopolitan and Nc
Cures. had declined an associate editorship
proffered me by telegraph from New York City,
and was getting ready to marry To the liter
airy climbers London's career points the way to
goal the attainment Of which is the ambition
of many budding novehsts. IF they would but
follow Londons example of hard work, yet
putting aside the "booze,'' they may attain the
fhe ght of their ambition.
! Even Secretary Bake has no endorsement
i for the makeshift of federalizing the national
guard and thinks that either universal or Sc
lective CONSUMPTION is the solution of the prob
! lem Moreover, he favors raising the soldiers
pay to twenty-five dollars month. It should
be thirty dollars, at least, but it is encouraging
! 70 find adr tion officials comiuo around