Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-06
SECONDARY EDU-
CATION REPORT


school attendance. there are very large
number OF unframed teachers entering
upon their work each year says josiah
W. Taylor Of Augusta. State agent for
secondary education in his annual report
which has been filed with the Governo'
and Council.
The special laws relating TO state aid
for academies provide that an institution
may otter training course FOR teachers
and may receive re-im oursement to the
extent Of $50 under specified condluons
and since the law became operative about
Il schools each year have taken adVan-
tare Of the privilege. continued Mr.. ray
Tor in his report.
"A few years ago the course was re-
vtsed and an effort made to strengthen the
work done. At present the special work
II rtven in the third and fourth years OF
fhA regular academy course and occupies
about one-half hour Of the pupils tune
for two years. The course consists OIL
prescribed work in elementary psychoio-
~. school management. school law ana
observation in the junior year. and re-
ytav a, common school subjects, methods
81 teaching observation and practice
teaching in the Junior year
english. four years. general biology
and American history and civlcs are re-
ouired The remaining subjects may De
chosen from the regular academy courses
The regular work must be under the
direction Of normal school graduate or
a teacher of equivalent professional tram
,r~ The teacher is expected to handle
the special subjects related to teaching
and to supervise the observation ana
practice. Thirty half-hour periods OF 90
servation are required in the junior year
and an equal number Of periods OF prac-
tice teaching In the senior year. IL is eA-
nected that the latter will he done III
schools where normal training teachers
are employed The practice work is done
for tho most part in the lower grades
Emphasis has been placed on preparation
for teaching In rural schools.
'sThere is evidence that these courses
Rave been Of considers BILE service both to
+he nun,ls who have taken the work and
70 schools in which they have taught. Su-
perintendents have found that the grad
yates in general show more skill in their
work from the first than the Ordinary
high school graduate. They understand
better how to organize their schools ana
handle their classes more eHcuNeE'
Fairly complete records for the past six
wears show that most Of the graduates
teach for a time at least and that fair
r.rcentare sooner or later go to norma!
.chools No effort has been made on the
n,r+ ~ THE state TO increase the number
OF such courses or the enrolment.
The Junior High School
The first attempt IN the State at
complete reorganization OF a school sys-
tenn on what is known as six and SIX
plan was made in Old Town under su-
r.er,n.endent William D. Fuller. The re-
sults OF his work proved to be Of much
1pterest to the educators OF the State in
asmuch as he was able TO carry out IN
detail the division OF the upper grades
into the junior and senior high school
plan. Local coalitions made it practica-
bic a. we'll as desirable to group all the
seventh and eighth grade pupils and the
first year high school pupils in one build
Ing. The second. third and fourth year
him school pupils occupied the regular
high school.
.Tollowtng out the general plans OF or
sanitation for the Junior high. or inter-
mediate school, which have been widely
discussed in the educational press for the
past few years. departmental teaching
vas introduced. the course Of study made
a unit 30 far as content is concerned.
modern language and Latin were begun
>ariy. and student activities were adapted
20 the age and interests Of the pupils.
"rhe Junior high school embodies GER
cain reoreanized factors necessary to the
education OF young people Of this age.
namely from Il TO Is years. 1t provides
for the introduction OF certain subject
matter at q time and IN such form as
20 b ass,milated by the pupils: It per-
Ynits . degree Of departmental teaching
but retains the supervision and guidance
Of the room teacher. 1t broadens the
course Of study and allows some explora-
ton on the part Of the pupil under proper
guidance. It brings together young peo-
pie Of common interests and gives oppor-
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