The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-06-19
VOCATIONAL WORK
SCHOOL NECESSITY,
DECLARES KENT
Prime Function Of
Schools to Fit for
Economic ~lndepend-
ence, He Says

That the prime function N q
pubic school system u "a prepare
the Individual members OF society
for economic independence IN az
least one form 81 productive ac-
tivity In life was the declaration Of
President Harry l.. Kent. AN. Of
the New Mexico College OF Aeri-
culture and Mechanic Arts this
morning at the assembly OF the
summer school student body OF tho
University OF New Mexico. Pres
idcnt Kent viii lecture on Nuca-
tional Education at each assembly
this week ana hla address today
WA upon the social and economic
bases of vocational education.
In introducing President Kent to
tho students. Dr. David 3 Hiil
president OF the University. spoke
OF the fundamental ideals aud pur-
poses % public education and do
ciared that vocational education
had come about In the progress Of
educational work m q necessary
part Of the public secondary school
curriculum, President Kent In
his address detailed tho evolution
% modern education az the prod
net OF the past SO years. He stated
that the establishment OF uuivcr-
sal eancsslon. thc latter being an
unbelievable ideal "a century ago,
was brought about In an effort to
make education a common thing
and eliminate initcracy. Com
pulsory education followed. ne said.
when e was observed that many
parents did not take advantage 81
the opportunity OF the public school
systems.
Only For Few
After the public was awakened
to the advantages aud efficacy OF
the public schools" President Kent
said. "thc establishment uf uul-
vcrsal secondary 90 high schools
came about. Al first ID proved
TO be an education for the few. as
the founder OF the system merely
based the curriculum on the pre-
Viously used courses % study.
Through evolution and because OF
criticism BY the parents OF the pu-
pills 20 was realized that the train
ing OF individuals solely for collie
giate education or for professional
occupations wus unfair To the indi-
viduna ; who desired preparation IN
speG<st lines OF ondoayor which
meg planned TO enter upon me
completion OF their secondary
ncf<pl training.
ne so-cailcd cultural curricu-
lung based on preparation for study
in rollegiate Institutions and Tor
tho professions. did not III tho
nee8ls OF all the students, and was
thqn turning point IN education
whNh brought about modern vo-
cetyna' training, declared .Preai-
dcN Kent. Vocational cduCntioh-
he Eaid, can an economy OF time
and expense 20 the individual stu
deu who Is only able % receive "a
linted amount Of vocational train
lngsi
'The old subjects IN the COM
mob school curriculum. President
KEN said. must be- taught in q
NON practical and efficient way.
toaather with the strictly voca-
tionpi subjects. Tho Individual
shdald receive some training to
make him most ~ for his life
wool on the cultural side but these
suilects should be made ~ prac-
ted as possible Tor his needs
~ Economic Fitness
&c discussed briefly the needs Of
cdqcntional training 10 bring about
thartociei fitness Of the Individual.
incmding preparation in citizenship.
heatnh and moral standards. Tho
cconumic fitness Of the school
profuct b. the goal OF tho pubic
education system a. n b. "a
fundamental of the public school
20 pain the Individual to he oco-
noVtcaily indepeadeut during life.
This training had boon done. .
he Aald, with the blind and Grip
pied before u had been realized as
an Essential In the education OF the
phtticaliy III individual Noca-
tiohttl education has realized tho
tr,dA definition Of dcmocrary In
~cdtnaiion Tor II means equality bui
nolaidcniiiy OF educational ople,r-
tnfhHy and offers the trnininr best
fituri for the needs Of The indl-
vidHil"