The Glenwood post., 1922-04-13
JOINT SPRING CONFERENCE
OF HIGH SCHOOLS

At the joint conference Of county
superintendents, city superintendents,
principals, and college instructors
which was held in Boulder, April 8, 7
and 8, there were many educational
problems of interest to the public
which received much attention and dis
cussion.
There is no educational conference
in the state that does more construct
i've work than this one. The educa-
tional meeting held each fall in Den
yer, Pueblo, and Grand Junction are
inspirational and helpful to the teach
ers of the state, but this joint con-
ference of educators at Boulder is the
meeting where definite problems are
discussed. 1t is here that better I'M
derstanding between the superintend-
ents of school systems and our state
schools of higher learning is brought
about. Here the presidents, deans,
and professors of our state schools out
line the preparation that is needed Of
students for entrance into their insti-
tutions and for successful progress in
the special line of work they wish to
pursue. At such conferences the su-
perintendents of schools and principals
of high schools have an opportunity
to state their point of view as to the
requirements exacted and to have ex-
planned the why and the wherefore Of
the policies of state schools. AS a
general thing this leads to better
understanding and better cooperation
between the high schools and state
schools.
This year the following topics were
fruitful in bringing about more
thorough understanding and co-opera-
tion: "College Entrance Require
ments,' by Dean Hellems Of the Uni
versity Of Colorado; "The College
Freshman's Tribulations, by f. stutz-
man of Fort Morgan; "Are Too
Many Going to college'" by D. E.
Phillips Of Denver University; "The
Merits Of the General Examination, ("
by E. c. Bramhall of Colorado Col
lege; and "What Industry Expects
From the College Graduate" by A. II.
Lichty of the Colorado Fuel and Iron
company. These topics were, all intro
duced by the above named school men
in formal paper and then thrown
open for discussion. In this discus
sion the problems common to school
men which were outlined by the writ
ers of the papers were seen from many
angles and much light was thrown on
the problem of better administration
and better instruction needed in the
high school. While it is true that the
universities are sending large per
cent of the freshmen home, it is also
true that many of these freshmen
have not learned how to study in the
high school. There are many who are
trying to do the classical work of the
university when, if they had been prop
erly directed by their high school
teachers and principals, they would be
succeeding in mechanical or engineer
ing courses
There is no question but vast num-
bers Of young people fail in their first
year Of college work, go home dis
graced, and never attempt college work
again, because they were not proper
directed in a choice of college studies
which would fit them for the type of
work in life for which they have some
natural ability. Vocational guidance
work with students in the high school
has place of real worth and, where
there is no specialist to take charge
of this and make thorough study of
each student the faculty of the high
school should confer and recommend
the type of work in which the student
has the best chance to succeed. This
should be done in every high school
and special attention should be given
to the graduating students. However,
it would be far better to pursue this
study with all high school pupils that
the work and study in the high school
might direct them in definite way
for the work in college and life.
The high school conference Thurs
day morning was given over to dis
cussion on "Teaching Study Habits"
"The Freshman 3 Preparation in Eng
lish, " "Sane Physical Training" and
Student Self Government vs. Student
Faculty Corporation. High school
principals from all sections Of the
state took an active part in the dis
cussion Of these vital and timely
topics. Probably the topic that dealt
with one Of the most important ques-
tions Of high school administration in