The Alaska daily empire., 1916-06-02

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 :Iv'Js,~~~''a'.-'v'ia''-''''a~- 'a~-'' exceptional tendencies on the part Of individual children.
 The high school enrolment repre- sents 21.25 per cent. of the total en- rollment of the schools. This figure is slightly lower than it should be- However the matter will adjust It. self within q few years in case or the high school course is made suI- flciently interesting to the students. The class which was graduated this year represents l795 per cent of Che total enrolment of the high school while the freshman class represents 34.61 per cent. of the total enroll, ment. Figures showing what propor- ton of the population of the city is enrolled in the city schools would be interesting but are difficult 10 obtain accurately in the light Of present knowledge concerning the ac- tual population of the city.
 The total cost of maintaining the schools for the year just closed was S19,SST.48. This represents per capita cost of S710S based on the average daily attendance or of S54.l9 based on the total enrolment for the year
 During the year, study or the distribution of pupils throughout the elementary schools according to age was made and the following interest ing facts disclosed: 55.55 per cent. of the total enrolment are normal 8S.SS per cent. are retarded or in lower grade than their age will war rant; 555 per cent. are accelerated or in a higher grade than their age would naturally indicate. The per cent. of those who are retarded Is very large This may be due to the fact that many have not had oppor- tunities to attend school regularly or that pupils have been permitted to fail without a sufficient effort having been made to prepare them to advance with their grade Normal conditions will be the result of a growth which will take place only with the lapse of time and through efficient organization.
 ! shall not attempt in any way to indicate the scope of theg eneral pro- gress in a scholastic way. The main features of the work in the elemen- tary school consist in the increased attention given to hand work, the systematlzation of work in Art and Music. the introduction of definite physical training, and a marked ad- vancement in the thoroughness of all departments due to the fact that the course of study followed has been more definite.
 I'm the high school department. there were fewer failures than during the preceding year, the general stand ard of work has oeen higher and the proportion of those remaining in school until the close of the year has been greater
 It is scarcely necessary to state that there is imperative need for Increased material equipment in the schools. This applies particularly to the need for a new building In case building cannot be erected before the opening of another school year. 1t will be necessary to expend a small amount on the present struc- ture. l should, however strongly advise against the expenditure ot more than Is absolutely necessary. The plumbing of the building should be examined and placed in a better state. The natural lighting of the building is poor but can scarcely be remedied without mourning great expense. The artificial lighting sys- tenn Is not good in many ways In case 1t is deemed advisable to intro duce an Indirect lighting system Into a new building, it might be possible to secure the fixtures now and place them in the present structure tenn porarily.
 It will further be necessary to re- move the partition between the present seventh and eighth grade rooms In order that another large room may be available. This will necessitate making some other pro- vision for the housing of one grade. A room in which to carry on work in manual training must also be pro- vided in some way.
 With the advent of a new build ing. in addition to generally Increased efficiency in the schools, it will be possible to accomplish at least three things which cannot at present be undertaken. First: Proper stress and importance can be placed upon the physical education of children and further attention paid to social development and the medication of a higher social sense and civic pride. Second: The six-six plan of organi- zation which provides for six years of elementary school work and six wears of high school work can be adopted. This plan has now passed the experimental stage and is pro- ductiye of highly beneficial results especially in the matter of increased high school enrolment. Third; Vo- cational courses in subjects allied ] to mining and fishing Industries can be added to the high school curri- 1 culm as extension courses doing Uni- l versity credit work.
 I believe that the school board in conjunction with the city council l should seriously consider the rigid | enforcement of the compulsory school attendance law, the law and ordi l nance prohibiting members under the age of eighteen years from frequent ing pool, billiard and card rooms | and the curfew ordinance. Each of the laws mentioned has admittedly | good features and has been adopted | with a definite purpose in view and that aim should not be lost sight |