The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-12-29
REVISION OF
STATE SCHOOL
SYSTEM ASKED
<Educational Commission
Would Thoroughly Revamp
Methods in the State
FINDS IT BIG PROBLEM
Would Reduce Elective
Courses in High Schools;
Revamp Rural School Dist.

Revamp Rural School Dist.
LaMoure, N. D., Dec. 29.-Reduc-
tion of the number of elective sub
jects in high school courses and pre-
scribing a more uniform, standard
high school course; re-establishment
of district lines so as to bring schools
closer to children without the ex-
pense of consolidation, and scienti-
fic revision of the entire school sys
tenn in the state, are among recon-
rNendations made by the educational
commission authorized by the last
legislature, for the consideration of
the forthcoming session. The com
mission is composed of w. ID. Lynch,
LaMoure, chairman; E. J. Taylor, Bis
marck; Mary Flemington Strand, Ell
lendale; A. G. Storstad, Horace, and
T. Welo, Velva.
Though recommending many
changes in the school system, the
commission in it's report says that
Gin justice to our educators and
those responsible for our present sys-
4 cem of education" education has
made marked progress in the rural
and urban schools of the state.
The commissions scope was limit
ed TO high schools and rural schools.
bit refers to higher institutions Of
learning in the state, "for the reason
that the public may not think that
all educational extravaganza rests
with those responsible for the pri-
mary and secondary institutions of
learning in the state"
Would Eliminate Duplication
The commission urges that duplica-
ton in higher institutions Of learn
ing be eliminated and "that work that
can be done in the high schools
should not be offered in the other
state institutions as is being done at
the present time," and that the re-
quirements for admission to the high
erinstitutions Of learning should be
raised.
In it's investigations of the high
schools commission said that it found
general agreement that in the aver
age high school the number of elec-
tive subjects should be materially re-
duced, and that uniform, standard
isoc course of essential subjects
should be prescribed by the depart
ment of education. Further consid-
ering the question of elective sub
jects the commission found that
"while too many elective subjects
: tend to weaken the average high
school and increase the cost of ed
ucation to an unwarranted economic
degree, yet there must be some elas-
tjcity Of curricula to develop indivi-
duality" In an attempt to reconcile
, differences on the subject of what a
high school curricula should con-
tain, the commission recommends a
cpurse of study for high schools to
include:
English should be taught from two
to four years.
Mathematics is essential; algebra
and geometely should be required
subjects of a year each, or two years
of general mathemat cs.
General history should be taught
at least year; and each student
should have half year at least OF
ADVANCED american nlSCOIy.
A half year of economics, half year
civics; botany and zoology should
consume year or a year of biology
in lieu thereof; chemistry and ply
.,ics should be taught one year; two
yAars of Latin should be required
Other Subjects
"Home economics, manual training
physical training and agriculture are
frequently referred to as frills and
fads, and many laymen believe they
should Be eliminated" says the re-
port. "The teaching of these sub
jects, however, in the high schools
are purely local problems and not
matters of legislative concern"
"Power, machinery and expensive
equipment are perhaps an extravag.
ance for the average high school but
J. the rudiments of carpentry and the
use of common tools should be en-.
. cou-aged to reasonable and econ.
! omic extent" the report adds. "Such
course has been found to appeal ir
many cases, to boys who would 9th
erwise leave school at an early age
and be deprived of the material part
of necessary education"
Cookery and sewing and home
economics are ac,,roved in principle
Elements of agriculture are consider.
ed practical for teaching, but too ex
pensive in most schools. Some sing
ing and vocal music and q taste Of
art should be of value.
physical training, high schoo
amusements and sports also come ir
For their share Of criticism but the,
fare too ably defended and reasonably
I necessary, consonant with economy
and educational purposes" says the
report. Extremes are. reached in
some localities where perhaps dane
ing and other amusements form toe
large part of the high school cur
riculum, and parents are taxed be.
yo1b their ability to provide what
are termed suitable clothes for such
:. occasions. And in the case of athle
i. tics we know of localities where high
school games are conducted between
inter-county teams rather than send
(Continued on pare 81