The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1916-06-07
(By H. L. Jordan.)

in ali occupations. The schools,
particularly in the large indus
trial centers, have by wide va
riety of courses attempted to ac-
quaint boys and girls with many
technical processes through
which the trend of the individ-
ual abilities might be ascertain
ed and the pupil directed toward
that field for which he seems
most adapted. The movement
to give vocational guidance has
not been limited, however, mere
ly because lack of funds prevents
the organization of many de-
partments in the smaller school
system. Vocational problems
differ as localities differ It is
true; but there are certain gen.
eral principles Of guidance
which can be universally applied.
The following report presents
in brief outline the efforts OF To-
cal high school teachers the past
year to give vocational informa-
tion and counsel to their stu
dents.
In the first place a survey was
made of former students of the
high school, comparing gradu-
ates with those who dropped
school before the completion of
the course and TO determine
something of the vocational
! choices made by these students.
The survey covered the years
19O6-19O7 to 1912 1918, no earl
ief records being obtainable.
The survey could have been
made more valuable if it could
have included a study of the
students before the high school
period, but no such records were
available. A carefully prepared
questionable was sent cut tC
about 100 people. Replies were
received from about $50 of this
number. 1t was no easy task tC
secure the present addresses OF
these students and much of the
credit for the number of people
reached is due one Of this years
seniors, Andy Luscher, who
carefully traced down these ad
dresses. Andy also gave valu-
: able assistance in calculating
the information secured.
One of the most importan
functions Of the school naturally
is to hold its students through
to graduation. A large mortal
ity rate in the attendance of an.
school is perhaps it's creates
condemnation. In the sever
years included in our surve.
there was a total enrolment O
27O. Of this number 72%
graduated while 28% left school
At once it is interesting to not
the respective causes which pro
duced this leakage.
Sickness .-..-..-- ~
Wanted immediate spend
ing money ..-.-.. q
Needed at home .28%
General loss of interest in
school 32%
From a vocational standpoint
the following table is Of grea
significance, affirming the gen
eral hypothesis that the NOR
the mind is trained the highe
will be the earning capacity o
the individual. There were
few non-graduates found to re
ceive larger incomes than grad
yates, but here again if we ar
to take a widely applied rule
the person who has stage
throughout his course in sciloo
while at first earning will with
in few years surpass the perso.
with the less training. Thi
comparison Of course cannot b
= made locally for several years
The first chart shows the mum
Der of non graduates and thei
respective incomes, figured frs
at the time they left school, an
second at the present time. Tn
list points out that some are nc
earning regular wages, and in
cludes some who are staying a
home.
The wages are reckoned On
weekly basis.
Then No,
Not earning any,
thing 40 369
$4.00-$6.OO .2O% !29
$6.00-$8.OO ...... go az
. $8.00-10.OO 1879 20
$10.00-$15. .129o 2O9
Over $500 ...... 40 289