Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-01-03
EDUCATIONAL TREND
DISCUSSED At MEET
Papers Read BY Teachers At Second
Gathering Of P~Ienty~ood Unit
Of Education Association
QBy SUPT. w. F.. STDGNER)

0By SUPT. w. f. STEGNER)
The brentwood teachers have or
ganized themselves as a local unit Of
the Montana Education Association
and have affiliated with the Sheri-
dan County Unit. The local unit will
hold regular bi-weekly meetings for
the purpose Of studying education
problems related to the work Of the
M. E. A. Two meetings have been
held so far and much interest has
been shown. The first meeting was
for the purpose of organization. At
the second. papers were read by Mrs.
Mabry. Miss Lelvold and Mr.. Mel
ton on the subject Of Increased
duties of the School to meet the
needs OF Modern Society"
The principle thoughts developed
by the three members OF the staff
we're condensed as follOws-Since
1929, the Economists have passed
the buck"for the cause OF the depres-
sion on to u educators and the
schools have accepted the challenge
with a study 0l the ways and means
of better meeting the needs Of Mod
ern Society through the schools
part. A Society characterized by a
greater government control OF indus
try, a more highly socialized and CO.
operative society, much leisure time,
and logically, a flood of crime and
corruptness which would inevitably
accompany the change from a laissez-
faire to a controlled social order.
Not that education was to suffer a
revolution, but that our schoolmen
were forced to revise u education
al system. The question arises:
what changes are apt to occur in our
educational world that u students
may he better prepared to take their
places in the impending society?
First, fine character coupled with
a personality and the ability to CO.
operate with others will be at a pre-
MUM. Hence, more extra-curricular
and less "3R" will result. BY this is
meant that those abilities which are
sought for in the socalled extra cur
ricular field, will be developed in the
regular classroom program.
Second, grade placement may fol
low social maturity instead OF mere
mastery Of subject matter. Third,
guidance must be emphasized and
even continued beyond the school
age limit in order that young people
between the ages of 16 and q be
started on cleaner, more successful
lives.
Fourth, through greater travel and
extended professional work, the tea
cheers must seek to find an interest;
music, writing, aviation, athletics,
dramatics. ETC., for each student.
Fifth, the required school age may
be extended to Is years that those
young people who will be outside our
laboring clan may be under super
vised control. In fact, every effort
must be mado to give the pupil abil-
ity to adapt himself to a changing
society.
Suggested theory plays too great a
part in the school curriculum with a
consequent lack Of practically.
Practical knowledge Of home life
and social practice Is the remedy.
The teaching profession must meet
the challenge Of modern society by a
closer contact and cooperation with
the parents and homes.
Principles underlying the develop
ment Of good mental hygiene must
be started early in life according to
SYMBOLS, author of Mental Hygiene
of the School Child" Train a
child in the way in which he should
20 and when he is old he will not
depart from it, has been rediscover-
ed in the p~resent-day Investigations
OF mental development. The first
five years of life have been stated to
be the most crucial for the develop
ment Of fundamental character traits
and patterns of behavior.
Children learn good habits by
growing up in an environment where
good habits are practiced. Parents
and teachers should remember n a
what they do is Of far more influence
than what they say to children.
The older a child grows. the more
able he should become to guide his
W affairs. Psychological weaving
during adolescence is of importance.
Not only do children have difficulties
in achieving independence, but par
ents also have difficulties in letting
go.
High schools and colleges prob
ably should do more than they are
now doing to help young people to
understand their responsibilities and
to make thoughtful decisions on the
affairs Of everyday living.
an older days schools were estab-
lished mainly to serve the individu-
al; now the recognition is full upon
us that schools have a tremendous
responsibility to society. Not only
is education looked to for some solu-
ton Of the problems Of crime but
education is also expected to aid In
problems OF industry and citizenship
And in all Of these areas schools are
expected to do more than make
children absorbers of subject matter
from books. In developing methods
and techniques for diagnosing per
sonality, education is making more
potent its for fitting young
people for social responsibility.