New-York tribune., 1919-06-21
High Schools
TO Aid Fight ight
On BOlsheyisn1
New Courses in Civics and
Economics ODE Required
of All Students Hereafter
if They Would Graduate

BY the introduction of two new re-
quired subjects in high schools in
September, the details of which were
outlined yesterday, the Board of Edu-
cation hopes to stem the growth of
Bolshevism and retard the flood of
aliens to their homelands. The new
courses, according to Frank A. Rex
ford, an associate of DR.. John L. Tilds-
ley, who is in charge Of nigh schools,
are civics and economics, the former
to be given students in their first wear
and the latter to seniors.
Mr.. ReXford said The need for both
these courses has been clearly demon
strated. Examination for teachers
have been held and an eligible list
compiled. No student can be gradu-
ated from high school after June, 1920,
who has not had one year of economies.
None of the pupils entering high
school in September and subsequently,
will be given diplomas unless they
have satisfactorily completed year Of
both civics and economics. Two
periods a week will be required or
one term Of five periods a week, which
is being favorably considered.
Must Answer Two Questions
I'VE appreciate that we must an
swer two questions now SO frequently
put to themselves by aliens who are
contemplating a return to their native
land and by others who are entertain
ing radical beliefs and undecided
whether or not to follow them," Mr..
Rexford said, These people ask
thems selves first, What has this coun-
nyynr fox. -
What do l owe to this country?'
"Bolshevism is bred of ignorance, we
are convinced The famboyant appeal
of the Bolshevism street corner orator
is attractive to the alien and others
who are not equipped with the knowl-
. edge to easily answer the soap boxers
contentious. Some of these rante rs
are products of misguided education.
Pupils have been taught not so much
to- become law abiding citizens, but to
take up higher branches of education,
Honesty is not the only ally ITO good
citizenship diligence is also a pre-
requisite.
There Are No Textbooks
The new courses are not just book
| learning We have no textbooks to
go with them. In the civics course we
are having papers written by teachers
who study various city departments.
The City Record has helped us with
some data; we have received other
material from the Department If
Water Supply, Gas and Electricity, the
Fire Department, Police Department,
the Outlook, the Woman's Municipal
League and other sources, all entirel !,
new as means of compiling a sylla-
bus"
Mr.. Rexford said the new courses
will probably promote some beneficial
domestic strife between students and
Old World parents. The students of
civics will be given thorough train
ing on the functionx of the govern
ment, with emphasis laid on the un
mistakable benefits derived which
might otherwise go unnoticed because
Of the sinoothness Of admnisterin .
them. The headings in the syllabus
include: "Guarding the Health of the
People" public Provisions for Recre-
ation," "The Part of the Citizen in Gov
ernment," Civic Beauty" "Care of the
City's Wards" "Protection of Life and
PROPERTY Public Education" "City
Planning" Making the Laws" and
carrying Out the Laws"