Evening star., 1933-09-17
DEPRESSION IS VIEWED
i. AS REVISING EDUCATION
Necessity Seen Working Modernizingg
Reforms in Colleges and Secondary
Schools of u. S.-Courses Passing.

ern life.
1t would be an Illuminating expert
ence if 1000 college trained men and
women, leaders in their fields. could be
induced to sit down for day or two
and figure out just what subjects they
had in secondary education that have
been of actual help in life. There IS no
question in the writer's mind that the
vast majority would agree that mathe-
matics was the worst waste of time. In
several investigations it has been found
that the average citizen needs only to
know the tables. the four processes of
computation and how to compute inter-
est and percentage. Yet we have had
to drill pupils in algebra, geometry, trig-
onometry, solid geometry and physics.
Thousands of hours of school time have
been devoted to subject which will
bring absolutely no future benefit. A
certain small group who will go into
scientific and technical work need the
subject. but they comprise very small
percentage of the total college prepara-
tory group. There has been the same
undue stressing of mathematics in the
commercial and general courses.
Latin Excess Opposed.
A second point that the majority
would agree on is Latin. A good many
adults would agree that year or two
of Latin adds to ones knowledge Of the
English language. But very few would
agree that four or five years gives re-
suits in proportion to the use Of time
involved Possibly a majority would
agree that year Of foreign language is
beneficial. In tests conducted the re-
suits have been half and half.
Now if several hundred hours OF
school time in the secondary period Is
available for other subjects, what shall
be put into the curriculum? The first
| principle upon which educators will
determine the use of this time is that
education must be brought into correla-
tion with modern life. History of the
past has its value in understanding the
history of the present But the en-
phaSiS must change. Memorization of
past events Is useless. An understand
| ing of the social currents of yesteryear
will give a concept of social problems
today.
Current Topics Featured.
In the new deal" for secondary edu-
cation there will be more time put on
study of current happenings. One
school has introduced years study Of
current world history" for the citizen
of the future must know the world as
4
The whole concept Of secondary edu-
cation will change The admission to
college will not be the aim and end of
four years work. Thus. we find this
significant statement in Princeton's new
admission requirements, involving not
merely rating of the applicants fit
ness for college work. but fundamental
change in the relation of school to col
lege." It will enable Princeton to con-
tinue the individuals own educational
program as 1t has already been partially
developed in the secondary school,"
Increased emphasis on social studies
will be the first reaction of the sec
ondary school. More time will be de-
voted to modern history, current events,
government, civics. geography and prob
lens of modern citizenship.
The second field where schools can
bring modern life into education Is
science. No one questions that science
is great factor In modern living. Few
will deny that the future will bring
wonders so marvellous that we will look
back and wonder at the crudity of the
present stage of development.
Compulsory Science Predicted.
I venture as a prediction that within
a decade many high schools will have
compulsory course in general science
lasting through the years of junior and
senior high school. This course will not
be technical or have as its aim the
training of future scientists Instead.
its definite objective will be to give
the future citizen an all-around view
tricity. chemistry. biology. physiology,
geology and botany. The scientific
aspects of daily living are fascinating.
AS understanding citizens Of the social
| order of which we are part we ought
to understand to some degree the won
ders of science which allow us luxuries
and ease beyond the dreams of emperors
a few generations ago.
Because of the fact that some 10 per
cent of our boys and girls end their
formal education with the high school
to give practical courses OF vocational
nature. But education Is more than
getting ready to make a living; 1t is
preparing to live.
The duty of the secondary school IS
| to take the natural abilities and so
develop them that the maximum level
of training plus citizenship is achieved
Art Of Living Important.
After current history and science,
the final field of opportunity I would
mention is in the art Of enjoyable and
appreciative living. The new era offers
a splendid opportunity to the leaders
Of secondary education in teaching
future citizens that life Is more than
making a living As a Nation, we
greatly need a higher level in the use
of leisure time; we need an apprecia-
ton of art, literature drama and
music The tastes Of the general pub
lie are deplorably low. One has only
to look at current offering of the
motion pictures, fiction, tabloids and
types of mass recreation to realize the
, great field of work ahead.
There has not been time in the past
to do it. Yet some one has said, "a
mans avocation is more important
than his vocation" For three CEN
turies we have been creating Nation
from virgin land; we have worked with
the plow, ak, mortar and brick We
have harnessed rivers and created great
cities.
| Now a new land lies ahead. And the
days OF pioneering are not done. New
| frontiers remain to be conquered in
the realm Of learning how to live.
The fact that the colleges and uni
versities are broadening their entrance
requirements is happy augury of a
happier future. Now the secondary
school can teach their millions of
pupils how to live; how to participate
intelligently-1 grand experiment In
sef-government and to understand
the wonders Of modern life.