Evening journal., 1922-05-06
ADVOCATES JR.
HIGH SCHOOLS

was started three years ago. Last
nights session was attended by
about one hundred high school
principals and teachers from all
J parts OF the State including about
thirty from Wilmington. There wers
also present many representatives
OF the State. city and local Boards
OF Education. Minos +. Culver of
Laurel, a member OF the State
board, DR.. II. V. Holloway, State
Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
ton, John Shilling, assistant State
superintendent in charge of high
schools, David "A. Ward, superin-
tendent of Wilmington schools,
Charles Coke. principal af the VIII
mington High School. Robert S.
Gallaher. member of the Newark
Board of Education. Herbert owens.
superintendent of the Newark
schools, DR.. Walter Hullihen, presi-
dent of the University Of Delaware.
Professor w. A. Wilkinson. head OF
the Department of Education of the
University, Professor r. w. Helm.
State supervisor OF Vocational Edu-
cation and many other members OF
the university faculty and edu-
Gators from every high school dis
trict.
The conference opened yesterday
afternoon in the west wing of old
College with a discussion on voca-
tional education presided over by
Professor r. Helm. At 8 O'Clock
the visitors were guests OF the uni
versity at dinner in the Commons
and this was followed by a social
hour in the Faculty club rooms.
This morning there was a discuss
on on THE aims and functions of
secondary education" lead by Prin- |
'ipal Coke, OF Wilmington. Assist
INT state superintendent Shilling
made report on certain high |
chool tests and Superintendent
holloway discussed superintendents'
md principals reports to their |
Boards OF Education. The confer |
nee closed at noon and this after
loon the visitors are guests OF the |
nterscholastic field and track meet |
IN Frazer Field.
Professor Wilkinson In calling the
onference TO order last night told
4 the first conference of high school
eachers three years ago and when
here was an attendance of about
orty. The conference has grown in
Importance. he says, until It is a set
nnual affair.
DR.. Hullihen extended greetings
rom the university and welcomed
he visitors on behalf of the trus-
ees and faculty. Dr. Hullihen in
few remarks said that our great
EDUCATIONAL problem will never be
ully solved until there is thorough
cooperation between all educational
interests.
DIR. Holloway responded to this
reeting and also gave the teachers
word of encouragement in their
york.
Much interest was centered in the
address, of DIR. Deffenbaugh and
most of the teachers were especially
in his talk and advocacy
" the junior high school.
After stating that our present
'ight-year elementary and four-year
Ugh school system Is not meeting
ocial and economic conditions, the
peaker said in this respect many
ther countries were ahead of us
nd that in many instances their 16-
ear-old children were as far ad- {
anced in education as ours at IS.
The six-six plan" said DIR. Diffen-
lugh, eliminates non-essenuals
nd gets right down TO work. We a
-e educating away from the indus 4
les and the farm. The six-year I
gh school course is more demo- {
attic" C
DR.. Diffenbaugh also advocated s
e elective system IN school as bet {
r than the compulsory course sys- d
m. II gives the pupil the chance v
select for himself and use his c
dgment and this should M be sup 5
'essed. Under the JUNIOR high a
hool system, he said, pupils are II
pt longer IN schools, that is. not n
many drop out the first year or d
of high school. b
Another modern Idea advocated c
the speaker was promotion by e.
biects. rather than by years or lC
sses. He admitted that the jun o.
high school might be more ex- a
nsive at the start than the pres NJ
system but that II would be an n
,ellent investment in the long run. tc
DR.. Dlffenbaugh said: p'
A slx-year differentiated high tn
ool course is more democratic TT
n an eight-year elementary course to
a four-year high school course te
ause more opportunity Is given the 10
All 10 study those things suited 70
him. II is not democratic TO re- NO
ira every one to do the same
NO neither Is Il dem ocratic to af
,uire pupils after they have mas sic
ed those things that all must tn
ow to study the same subjects tio
,e pupil will fail In the languages SC,
a make an excellent grade in on
OF the reverse may be ,vo
ue. su
So much for some OF the theoreti- a.,
/ reasons for reorganizing the pub ~, -
schools with six years In the ele- wl
entary grades. What is the opin- de
n of those who have made trial OF ~
e plan? In reply to question ~
ire most OF the superintendents ~
y that a Junior high school serves "
. following ends: Greater differ .,
tiation can be provided, transition =,
the senior high school made
sier. benefits mutual relation be- =,
zen teacher and pupil, better :.
aching methods are used; fits &c
eds of slow moving pupils; bright :,
Ipils are encouraged. more thor -
gh work in subjects ordinarily "
ught in the high school. vocational
prevocational subjects can be in 81
,duced earlier; other needed sub Ds