The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-11-06
lRISTOCRATIC VIEW
OUSTS DEMOCRATIC
! IN new EDUCATION
Edgar G. Doudna, Wisconsin,
and Fargo Pastor Address
N. D. e. A. Convention

"A democratic attitude has super
seeded the aristocratic view in public
education, Edgar G.. Doudna, secre-
tary of the board of regents Of nor
NAL schools in Wisconsin, declared be-
fore the general session Of the North
Dakota Education association conven-
ton here Thursday night.
DR.. w. G. Sainsbury, pastor Of the
First Methodist church, Fargo, spoke
on the contribution of scholarship to
the commonwealth. Rev. Opie S. Rim
dahl, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran
church here, gave the invocation at
ter q musical program. The Mandan
male chorus, under the direction of j.
g. Gould, superintendent of Mandan
schools, provided music for the ses-
sion.
The older school, Doudna said,
sought to select the especially fit and
to train them to succeed where the
less fortunate failed. The modern
school recognizes each child a an in
dividual problem to be given that
training which will enable him to live
a life Of maximum service to society
and happiness for himself.
Schools Are Changed
1.-THE school Of today" he added,
sis not the same as the school Of yes
terday. It may be better, as its sup
porters believe it to be, or 1t may be
worse, as its critics assert. In any
event 1t is different in aims, proce-
dures, equipment and organization.
School practice now is not that of the
school which the adult Of today at
tended. One of our problems is to adj
just practice to ideals and to inter-
pref both to the public who support
our schools. I am speaking of the
public schools, for with that the tax
payer is chiefly concerned.
Three positive changes in school
practice are clearly evident in the
first quarter Of this century. We are
re-examining aims, detectives, proce-
dures, and results from the scientific
point of view. We have reorganized
the curriculum. We have shifted the
emphasis from selective education to
that of conserving all abilities, high
and low. In other words, a democra-
tic attitude has superseded the old
a~rfstocratic view"
The primary teacher OF today was
termed by Doudna as a trained ex-
pert, with methods based on scienti-
tic investigation of reading as reliable
as those which are employed by the
doctor or engineer.
Recognizes Obligations
1.-THE teacher in our American
schools recognizes her obligations tc
the child, to the state, and to the ma
ton. In and through all of her work
she is trying by direct instruction ano
by example to build into the lives OF
her pupils the ideals Of America
those traditions which have made
this state and nation.
1.-The ideal of freedom through law
the Importance Of the individual, the
dignity of work, the gospel Of self.
reliance, the glory of the common.
place from which virtue springs, the
obligations to society with the duty Of
service, the recognition of ability
wherever 1t may appear, the equality
of opportunity-these are the very
flower Of education.
Just now we are In danger of reac.
ton. The social and leisure hour &C.
tivitieS are often called 'frills.'
Rather are they the character
builders and we must protect the chill
dren and the state from a false econ
Omy. These are times that try men!
souls, but we shouldn't try to make
the children pay for our stupidity
cupidity and blindness. The real bus
iness OF the school is to make virtuou'
citizens Of a virtuous state"
Education Broader
Demands Of modern life hav'
broadened the basis Of education