Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-11
Public Schools

L 0OA$ AJNAAOV40
DR.. Augustus o. Thomas. State
superintendent of public schools
has sent a communication to union
and city superintendent and princi-
pals saying that inquiries are being
made regarding the amendment to
the law pertaining to the classical
ton Of High schools.
Schools in Glass A and Glass B
are unchanged and the Junior High
school is substituted for the Glass c
school," says DR.. Thomas in his COM
munication.
THE details of the approval Of
such schools have not been fully
worked out but will follow the gen.
eral requirements for recognition
laid down in the pamphlet Senior
Junior High Schools issued by this
office. The law provides that the
last two grades of the elementary
schools and not more than two years
of High school may be included in a
Junior High school.
The Junior High school implies
thoroughgoing organization of the
courses of study. the methods and
administration for the grades in
volvcd. The purpose Of this amend
ment is first. to insure STAN
dard grade of work for each year
above the elementary grades for all
high schools. and, second. to provide
q more effective organization for the
upper grades of the elementary
school. The program of studies of
the Junior High school is expected to
+ divide re-vocational courses and
ether differentiated courses such as
h nguage. science and the like.
ITO develop a satisfactory Junior
Eigh school will call for considerable
preparation including the creating of
p 'oper sentiment in the community.
I ntil such course can be properly
, 'ganized we would urge that a
& ass 3 school be maintained. Such
/. school may give two or more years
If standard work. If more than two
years are offered. the services of
more than one teacher will be need
cd
I'VE strongly urge superinten-
dents who. are likely to have High
schools in either OF these classes to
| take up the matter with the depart
/ ment at once.
The Equalization Fund.
The equalization fund is designed
! to assist towns in maintaining High
schools in which the work shall he of
! standard grade for each year of the
| program offered. The fund will be
, distributed to those towns which
| show high rates of taxation (above
the average for the State) for gen.
cral municipal purposes and for the
support of common schools. The
effort which is being made for the
support Of High schools will be con-
sidered in connection with the
above rates The fund will be used
to secure better qualified teachers
through better salaries, to lengthen
the school year. to provide proper
equipment and library material and
to assist in special projects like the
Junior High school. or vocational
courses. The details of the appor-
tionment will he discussed at the
superintendents' conference at Cas-
tine July Z to II.
Attention is called to the fact
that the amount available for State
aid for industrial education-not the
Smith Hughes aid-for secondary
schools is increased to $3.50. Fur
thermore. the maximum tuition rate
for which towns are liable is s45 in
stead of s36. Both these rates be-
come effective for the next school
year.
THE amount Of extra High school
aid remains unchanged and may not
exceed $500 whether for reimburse
ment for instruction., or tuition, or
for both. If any change in classifi
cation. or program of studies of High
schools is contemplated or new
schools are to be organized applica-
ton for approval should be made at
once"