Smyrna times., 1926-07-14
STATES EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

- Il
Steps Ahead "A Percent in Five Years
Bible Study as Literature Suggested
The new State Board of Education
which organized on Thursday of last
week at the headquarters of the De
partment of Education at Dover, faces
many serious problems but with much
better conditions than existed when
the retiring State Board, that went
out Of existence on Thursday, assum-
ed its duties in 1920. This statement
coming from educational authorities
who knew conditions five years ago
and have observed the progress made
in the interim is borne out by condi-
tions in 1920 compared with the pres
ent year from data assembled by un-
interested parties. In the year 1920
according to DIR. Ayres' comparable
index system, by means of which he
measures standings and rates of in
crease or decrease in public school
systems, Delaware's rating according
to DR.. Ayers rule was 57.63. Meas
ured by the same system education in
Delaware in the past five years in
creased to 81.91, an improvement of
about "A per cent.
The State Department of education
office at Dover closed Saturday for a
brief vacation period lasting until July
20. During this time the personnel of
the state department will enjoy bit
of relaxation before beginning active
work in planning for the new year.
New Ideas In Curriculum
Among the high schools Of Della
ware outside Of Wilmington, there are
two important things which John
Shilling, assistant in charge of high
schools, hopes may come about dur
ing the coming year. One of these is
the study Of the Bible from a liter
airy standpoint, exclusively, and with
out the least reference to religious
faiths or sects, and the second is a
readjustment Of the rating a high
school student must obtain to gradu-
ate from the high school, if that is
as far as he wishes to go and the
standing that a prospective college
entrant must attain.
The matter Of study of the Bible
should not be confused with the ef-
forts of educational authorities work
ing in conjunction with religious de-
nominations in some states, where the
pupils re excused for a couple of
hours each week and go to their re-
spective churches for Bible instruction
Such request came from the ele-
mentary school at Cheswold last year,
but was not approved because the
school authorities could not produce
universal authorization from the par
ents Of all the pupils.
What it is proposed to inaugurate
in Delaware high schools outside of
Wilmington, is a study of the Holy
Writ with the idea Of beneftting from
the phraseology Of such works as
Sypherds' English Bible and with no
reference whatsoever to the religious
truths that may be embraced in the
poetry and other admirable literary
attributes of the Bible. It is believed
by many high school heads that the
English Of students will be helped by
some such course as is proposed and
the students will be credited with the
marks they make in this study.
Seek To Revise Ratings
Whether Mr.. Shilling will be able
to obtain sufficient cooperation from
high school principals and superin-
tendents outside of Wilmington, to
revise the graduation rating of high
schools has not been determined. 1t
is Mr.. Shilling's idea that the aver
age boy or girl who wishes to COM
plete the standard high school course,
but who has no desire or intention
Of continuing his education in high
er place of learning such as a college
or university, should be allowed to OBJ
tain diploma if he obtains an average
of 20 per cent. But for the students
who aim at a college education it is
necessary that the standing should be
higher and for this class Of student
rating of rs per cent is considered