FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1915.
PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS HELD IN HIGHEST RANK
Progressive and
Thorough Methods
in Teaching Used
Snail laax-9 Maintained in Order
to Trnln Individual Child Aim la
ta Arold Machlne-I.lke liilora-itr.
rif rCfcJ- ''ill - r- w
4 i .aim inn.,
I
BT w r. Alderman. Saperlntendent of Port-
rT IS our aim to make the public
.nhr.nl vitem of Portland the Desx
thing In the city. We hopo to make the
schools so rood that they will Dring
f amilles to Portland and hold families
here when once they have come, and be
a blessing- to those that live here, giv
ing to every child the opportunity that
his best talent will Justify.
Although the schools are growing;
rapidly, a new school .room being; added
each six days, and although the enroll
ment In the grades Is 24.583. In the
night schools 2S60. and in the high
schools 47S4, the total enrollment 32.
229. in 6 buildings, it la not of the num
ber nor of the size of the schools that
I wish to tell.
We believe that in a city the size of
Portland it is possible to avoid teach
ing masses, teaching averages, teach
ing merely classes; we are trying to
teach Individuals though we are teach
ing them In classes. The development
of the Individual child is our main
thought, and with this goes the effort
towards smaller and smaller classes.
. . . ...ihilltt, nt tliA
the freedom anu rMiiui""'w -
teacher, the doing away with machine- always makes something that is of
. , . : . . . ., .. ....... rr tin. Kchoola ex- ini.r.it innino with toys and grad-
cet in those things l which uniform- ual.y learning r to make uf.(u, arttclea
4
t v la fKntiitL
I am going to try to describe the
schools as if the reader were a stranger
to the city and knew nothing about
them. I hope to give some facts that
even those familiar with the schools
mv haDDen not to know. I do not ex
He spends very little time on mere
models of joints, etc.. but has the In
centive of always working on some real
thing.
Departmental Plan Explained.
In the seventh grade, in the large
.. ., v, i ., uA u 1 1 t-n mpt the detiart-
mental plan. They have three or four
may happen not to Know, i uo u- " menial pian. iuj u
pec-t to succeed so well in preaemmn teacners wno oiviue
the spirit of the schools. Many visitor taking all the arithmetic for the Bev
h. i k-, mitnpiiMi to that: one must enth, eighth and ninth grades, one all
i i.. i iha hlatnrv etc. The children go from
villi tne p' im"""
Lt us begin with a nine ooy aim
the history, etc. The children go from
vnm n. mAAt thfir t Si (' h ft T H
Lt us begin wnn a nio w "" .
girl just entering the schools, and see as if they were In high schoo
. . .. . l. . i ni,orol.tr. Tn th fiAventh erade the girl begins
to learn cooking. She has a little two-
. .. .m CKo rAfllla K 111 14 1 1
DiaLB HHO laufio. ' ' "
m
-.,wv.-.- -. .... . .. . il : I
I Til - - r -v II (h . : h
Mi : -ft. v..t,',:v.'!i.vx 'w.-j ill ,.:ivj V - T. t:.".-' v , ...of F imwv ,.jrl -aM-S i I llantWanHf snWlaW T m J .. . i. - k 41
I -r""p 11 ' .. f , . , ., ; ;;,T ' - - c
j
Manual Training
Department Nou
Is We77 Advanced
Boya aid titrta Are Given Praetleal
laatrartloa I'tllltarlan 1'rlarlple
Developed Alvag broad Lleea,
what they will meet that is character
istic of the Portland system.
fat all Claaaeai Many Tenchera. quantises, bringing a few pennies to
They may enter school if they are pav (or tne supplies, but she writes
six years old or if they will be six dur- down the recipes in quantities lor a
ing the first half of the first term. They family; so she is able to repeat the les-
Cmmenn,be;? U,ey grSto0tcerbt?n "?f 'th.chUdren are at this Ume. in
3, .h. m" fin7 themselves in a the sixth grade, they will, unless they
schools they may find themselves in a gpeclBi promotion, pass througr
small class that work, kart for talf P deg oefore enterinShigt
day only, thus leaving the other J half- school lf fh are now ,n tittt
dy for play, and giving the 'tether th wlll enter hlgh 8chool from
still more opportunity for 'nd'vldual &g nJne gTado Qr
work In the small classes. As their zation to De discontinued, the
first teacher is a specialist for begin- whole work beforo hiKh school being
ners. she keeps them for a year only. dlvlded lnto eight sections instead of
Their second teacher as a rule does not n,na B(Jt t any tlme a chUd may be
leave her class at the end of the sec- promoted a9 an individual, and many
ond year, but goes on with them, tak- are 8) promoted, doing the nine grades'
lng them through the third grade and work ln jeM than nine years, some in
fourth grade. Thus, she becomes veil aa ghort a time as six years,
acquainted with the children, so that The unrraded room in which the
she can more easily treat the girl and teacher has only 15 pupils, and so can
boy as Individuals than as members of do individual work, is a great help in
a clasa promoting bright pupils. (Only tho
Besides reading, number work and iarger buildings have ungraded rooms
language, the little ones have nature ls yet.) By the help of this teacher
study, drawing and water colors, sing- the children may advance a nair grade.
-;v.t....4iricr n il folk dancing. wbHa nw vn more In a verv short
lSTSTtZ ped ,nthk.Wuandgrarddreoomroer fort Is mad( to buIld up the children's fare Commission. . These exceptions are cent enter high school or the school,
-i nsin. .ra. tolpn trt tfM.rH .lei Vinln Th IHa. In not that theV w t v,.,- ot-rnn? thfiV VfifV t&W. ot lraueo' ........ ,
nTIIl XKI1 IIDII. sJa,a -- ' " T
nSr.Chn P,"n" "r shall staPv In "th." ungraded room P7r'- li?" ftSd school' in tSe "if the children choose, they may en- The children's.chool career, will b. School n-.u
in the fifth grade the children meet manently, but that they shall get spe- lmV only: thus having the after- ter the Trades School at la. whether om e., ",7.. A. I
new teacher who is to accompany cial help in the studies in which they noon to rest at home. The principal they have nnisnea tne i
1 . . v. . . 1 . Ei-ih j.fixiant nnA thus he enabled tn go -. -- -. - - i i. mnnir.i7- not: or thev may enter
n " the after: ter the T Trades f School at 15, whether "somewhat different according to the Two school, have "nelghbornooa
accompany cial heln in the studies in which they " " , r(,at at home. The principal they have finished the nine graces or ne gnoornoou n w i'-.Vf, h- ho..e are also "so-
them through the fifth and sixth are deficient, and thus be enabled to go Btudies come m the morning. . not; or they "?ay enter it when tney saio. it mey are 1 , centerg.. for the neighborhood,
grades, m these grades they study the on with their class later on or to move gomeUmes the children will be taken have .finished tho ninth ade. no mat- will be f.iy fy ln three school, there is given
.h .niu.. eoranhv. draw- ahead and Join the class a half-year or ,n th -ftornoons on excursions to see ter how young they may be. They will b trained in every w .... .it fnr h. ork... tha
lng. paint'lng and design, music with ever a year ln advance of them as porUad's manufacturing plant, and The "-chool "aI fo other Though there is music in all the children attend one of these .chool.
song, and .ight reading, and calisthen- their abilities warrant. No child is other laces o interest. Later they is not very f m,p"e?h eisvear schools they are supplied with credit card.
Ics. In the fifth grade the girl begins held back on account of deflclener in write essay8 on what they have seen cities, P"""0""0' oPPortunUle in mi"" In several which are filled In and signed by
to learn sewing, first with small things, one study: he may take most of his and make up original problems in u, prUy on aa"oun(i , ;ourL there is schools there are school orchestras parents.
bags? etc . then with garments for her- work in one room and go to a more ele- Brithmeteio basd upon the statistics of class of population CM course there is school there s e & rf home
Klf. By the eighth grade she Is able rnentary class for work in the study ln tbe varloua industries. some gf, , thlfloss men" have an opportunity to pracUce the children receive credit at school,
to make a kimono for herself, and in which he Is backward The children must stay in oo i if y 1"-?B l'e greater care with others and to gain acquaintance which Is usually applied on the .tudy
the ninth grade she cuts and make, a Recreation la Provided. their health permits until they have 0WonfhlesiandWvI5ual anS with the with good music These orchestras are In which they rank lowest. Strang, to
skirt for herself, infant's clothes, and At recess time and after school the finished the eighth grade , or udUI tbey given to tne a',, int th9 the cuse of great enthusiasm wher- say their work in that study improve,
many other thing.. children play in the playgrounds on the are lo. If a child earnings are ah Pctical 8 surprislns to learn that ever they are heard. On the last Fri- after their marks have been helped by
The boy begins manual training at slides, flying rings, etc By means of solutely needed at home, a cMld Wei- ff the ninth grade grfduates. 80 per day of eacn montn all the school or- home credit. Of course, the real pur-
the same time the girl begins sewing, playgrounds and the calisthenics an et- ceptlon may be madeoy tne niiq
pose of home credit I to bring the
school and home closer together, and
foster habits of Industry, and of care
for parents.
District boundaries are not empha
sised ln determining the .chool to
which the pupil may go. Even if the
chool preferred by the parents is far
away from the home, the children may
be sent there If there i. room for them.
His a Schoala Are Thoroaah.
There era four high schools: The
Lincoln on the West Bide, et Park end
Market streets; the Washington In the
center of the Kast Side, at Kaet Four
teenth and Stark streets; the Jefferson
in Albina. at Knierson and Kerry
streets: and the new Franklin ln the
South East Side, at Forty-olghth street.
Southeast, and Pom-ell Vall-y road. Jiw
ground, have been bought for the
Franklin; IS acres at Kast Fifty-second
and Division street.. It I. to be the
technical high school, and the ground
are to be used for the work in agri
culture. The high schools have each a dis
tinct individuality and a great deal of
school .plrlt. They offer a variety of
courses. Besides the academic subject,
our pupils may find classes In printing,
forging, cablnetmaktng. care of auto
mobiles and applied electricity at one
or another of the high schools. All tbe
high school, have excellent cour.e. In
drawing, color, design and varlou.
form, of applied design. Tbe exquisite
landscape and perspective work with
colored crayon, was a revelation to
those who saw it at the Land fcliow:
al.o, the beautiful original design, car.
rled out in embroidery and Jewelry.
All the high .chool. have music, with
enthusiastic choruses and orchestra.
They all have fine and popular courses
ln sewing, dress designing, cooking,
food values, etc They frequently serve
luncheons to groups of visitors.
The Schools of Trade, are both on the
West Side, the boys' at present In the
old Atkinson building at Eleventh and
Davis, and the girls' in the old Lincoln
High, or Lownsdale building. Four
teenth and Morrison. If the girl decide,
to go to the Ulrls' School of Trades,
she may choose between cuurre. In
cooking, dressmaking, millinery and
household decoration, and 1. required
to spend half her time in academio
studies. The boy may .tudy plumbing,
electrical engineering, carpentry, pat
tern making, mechanical engineering
or architecture, and he also must take
half a day of academic work. There Is
a fine spirit of industry In both schools.
Night Schools Maintained.
If boys and girls are obliged to leave
school before completing the high
chool work, or if they wlih addition. 1
courses, they may continue their edu
cation at the night schools. Every
thing for which there Is enough de
mand to Justify .tartlng a clas. ia
given at the night .chool.. There are
night .chool. in 11 building. Two give
high school work and two give trade
school work. Night .chool aeulon. are
from 7 to :20 o'clock on Nonday.
Wednesday and Friday evenings. Among
tbe new subject this year is Spanish,
ln which lx clas.e. liav. been or
ganized. Our students need not feel
that their school day. In Portland mu.t
soon be ended; the night .chool Inter
est, people of all ages, young, middle
aged and old are in attendance.
Everybody in Portland cem. to be
getting intere.ted In the progres. of
the girl and boy through the schools.
We are gaining the co-operation of
many people; parent., business mrn.
club members, all do what they can.
Pupil, of special talent ere being
helped by various organisations; the
treasures of the library and art mu
seum are being freely and effectively
shared with the pupils: symphony con
certs have been open to them.
We have a corp. of enthusi.stlo
teachers who are giving the best they
have. With the right kind of support
we can make the Portland public
school, the open door of opportunity
through self-help for every child In the
city. ,
State Schools Make Fine Progress
Construction of Modern Buildings, Standardization of Schools and Pro
motion of Industrial Clubs Among Advanced Steps Taken.
By J. A. Cbnrrlilll. State Superintendent of
Public 1 attraction.
FROM an educational standpoint the
state of Oregon is making substan
tial progress. Among the ad
advanced steps that have recently been
taken should be mentioned the con
struction of better school buildings,
with more and better equipment, the
lengthening of the school terms and the
consequent shortening of vacation pe
riods, the adoption of more practical
courses of study for the grades and
high schools, the standardization and
accrediting of the high schools of tho
state the standardizing of the country
and village schools, the added value
which Is being placed upon the health,
recreation and morals of the children,
the promotion of children's Industrial
clubs, and the organization of parent
teacher association, for the study of all
questions relating to the betterment of
child life and the public schools.
Modern Sehoolhonsen Ballt.
A great many new schoolhouses have
been built in every county in the state.
Almost without exception these build
ing, have been constructed along mod
ern lines, and With a view to con
venience, correct lighting. sanitary
heating and prcper ventilation. Nearly
every town ha. its substantial, modern
schoolhouse. which is frequently the
best building In the community. The
rural districts have also mado great
progress along this line. As a rule,
where new schoolhouses have been
built, better furniture and more nd
better equipment have also been pro
vided. During the last two years there has
been an Incresse of more than half a
month In the number of Months of
school taught during the year and the
average ler.gth of the school term now
lacks only Ave days of being eight
months- All over the state there is a
strong sentiment that the minimum
term required by law should be eight
months Instead of six. a. at p.esent
Bv lengthening the school term two
months and shortening the vacation
period accordingly, the efficiency of the
schools would be materially Increased.
The compulsory education law Is being
enforced and the attendance of the
enildren is more punctual and regular
. than at any time in the past.
Conraen of Many Outlined.
The course of stuiy for the ele
mentary grades maintains an- even and
harmonious distribution of the work
ihrouKhoiit the eight years of the
course. In following the state course
of study, teacher, are advised to keep
in mind that the child, rather than the
subject. Im to be taught: that the sub
ject matter in tlie course is to be used
simply as a means to an end; that the
aim Is to prepare children for the du
ties and responsibilities of life; and
that In adapting the work, the age. en
vironment and capabilities of the child
must be considered.
Special emphasis I. laid upon read
ing, writing, spelling, oral language
and common-sense arlthmetio that is
related to the present and future needs
of the child. The high school course
of study permit, greater freedom In
the choice of elective, than formerly,
thus responding readily to the demands
of the different pupils with their va
rious Interests and diverse aptitudes.
In the past, many districts organized
high schools without providing either
a sufficient teaching force or an ade
quate equipment for doing the required
work. In some of the country districts
one teacher was trying to teach the ele
mentary grades and several years of
the high school work ln addition. For
one person to do this properly Is a
physical impossibility, and the result
was that the work ln tbe grades was
neglected and the high school amount
ed to very little. In order to remedy
this and other mistakes, a set of rules
was prepared governing the .tandardi
zation and accrediting of the high
schools of the state. Every high school
is now required to provide a sufficient
teaching force, an adequate library,
and proper apparatus for all the courses
offered.
Rural Schools Standardised.
For several years a number of the
counties have had certain requirements
ln regard to the physical conditions and
surroundings at school, sanitation, at
tendance, etc.. upon meeting all of
which a country or village school be
came standard. The requirements were
different in different counties, and in
order to provide uniform requirements
and to strengthen the movement, a set
of rules was adopted by the county su
perintendents and are now uniform in
every county.
In referring to these new rules, one
of the county superintendents says:
"Through this plan much improvement
has been accomplished. Better sani
tary condition, have been secured,
playground equipment has been in
stalled, supplementary readers have
been provided, pictures liatye been hung
upon the walls, and better attendance
and better teaching have prevailed. But
we believe that much more can be ac
complished by the uniform state stan
dard recent'y adopted by the Superin
tendent of Public Instruction, and we
hope that school officers, teachers and
patrons will work together, until all
the schools of the county have met the
requirements of the state standard."
Play and Recreation Provided.
The teacher has a great opportunity
to direct the habits of the children
throua-h supervising their play at
school. While at their play, children
unconsciously form habits of honesty
or dishonesty, of fair play or foul, of
generosity or selfishness, of politeness
or rudeness, of determination, or cow
ardice, and through proper guidance in
the playground activities the teacher
may develop and strengthen the char
acters of the children. Thus habits ol
cleanliness ln person and speech are
formed, politeness and loyalty are ef
fectively taught, the "square deal Is
enforced until it becomes second na
ture, and above all, the chUdren are
safe while at healthful play.
In order to promote this important
"work and to emphasize its value, a
manual of games and sports suitable
for schools was published, and distrib
uted to teachers. Through the Influ
ence of this work It is encouraging to
note that a majority of the schools,
both In the city and country, have pro
vided playground apparatus as a part
of their equipment and the teachers are
taking a greater interest in encoura
ging and directing the amusements of
their pupils.
Industrial Clnb. Formed.
Through the efforts of the Indus
trial Field Workers, with the assist
ance of the Oregon Agricultural Col
lege and the County Superintendents,
12,000 boys and girls were enrolled last
year In one or more of the 10 club
projects. These projects consisted of
corn and potato growing, poultry and
pig raising, cooking, gardening, etc
Last year 10s school fairs were held
ln the various counties of Oregon, at
which were exhibited the products that
the pupils had made or raised. From
tho local school and county fairs the
best products were sent to the state
fair at Salem, where the children's ex
hibits were pronounced 50 per cent
better than those of the year before.
The prize winners secured many val
uable prizes as a result of their work.
Some were given cash prizes and oth
ers received pure-bred stock and oth
er things of value.. Nearly 100 chil
dren were sent to the state fair and
had all of their expenses paid by their
own counties or by the public-rspirited
citizens of their communities. These
children came from all over the state,
some coming a distance of 500 miles.
The 10 chief prize winners were
awarded trips to San Francisco to visit
the Panama-Pacific International Ex
position, and will have all their ex
penses paid.
Parent-Teacher Bodies Active.
Space will not permit an extended
discussion of the parent-teacher asso
ciations, over 300 of which were or
ganized in the schools last year. The
purpose of this organization is to im
prove the standard of living in the
home, to protect the child and to Im
prove all conditions under which chil
dren live.
The aim is to do this in certain def
inite ways through organized efforts
along the lines of child hygiene, sani
tation in the school and home, good
literature, legislation for the protec
tion of child life, good roads, school
Improvements- and a closer co-operation
between, parent and teacher.
These associations have supported the
chool boards when questions of new
buildings or other improvements have
come up. and through the association
and co-operation of patrons and teach
ers the value of the school as a com
munity center ha. become apparent.
Growth of Reed College Marked
First Class, Comprising 45 Members, to Graduate in June High Standard
Is Maintained by Institution.
REED COLLEGE, the only college of
liberal arts and sciences in Port
land, was founded In 1904 by the
will of Mrs. Amanda Wood Reed, who
died leaving an estate valued at ap
proximately $3,000,000 for the founding
of an institution of higher learning.
The estate was left to five trustees
with full power of deciding the type
of institution to be established. The
trustees did not come into full pos
session of the property until 1909 be
cause the will was contested in the
courts.
After consulting with educational ex
perts throughout the country the trus
tees decided to found a college of
liberal arts and sciences with high
standards of admission and of scholar
ship. The firBt class was admitted in
the Fall of 1911 and consisted of 50
students, 24 women and 26 men. In
the same year construction of the per
manent buildings was begun on the
campus donated by the Ladd Estate
Company in Ea.tmoreland. To the
original gift of 40 acres, 46 acres more
were added by purchase.
The first buildings constructed were
the Hall of Arts and Sciences and a
dormitory which will ultimately be
used exclusively for men. The two
buildings cost ,400,000. In the arts
building there are temporary quarters
for the library, administration offices.
a chapel seating 400, classrooms,
offices for professors, and biological,
chemical and physical laboratories.
William Trufant Foster was elected
president of Reed College in 1910 and
practically all of the development of
the material and of the educational
concerns of the institution has been
carried out under his leadership. The
faculty now consists of 21 members
and has been selected from thousands
of available persons from all over the
country. The college has also selected
its student, carefully ln order to ob
tain students who would profit most
by the type of education that the col
lege offers. However, many well
qualified students were refused admit
tance last year because of lack of ac
comodations. Reed College has a complete system
of student government. A student coun
cil composed of six members Is elected
annually and has complete charge of
the student government Other student
organizations Include the chorus, Chris
tian associations for men and women,
an athletic council elected by the stu
dents, and a number of clubs origi
nating in the various departments of
the college. The college drama club
already has produced several plays
and more are planned for this year.
The first class to graduate from
Reed College will hold graduation ex
ercise next June.
Is ac- 'S'" w .t sit. "V At1
k f Is ."J f c I I5?t -Ssk-.-
f T
,,!
JMtfc IB
Columbia University
PORTLAND, OREGO.V. '
A Boarding and Day School for YoanK Men and Boy. Delightfully
located on the Banks of toe Willamette.
Offer. Couraea In the College, the Preparatory or High School, the
Commercial School, the Grammar Grade Schools.
For Catalogue Apply- to the Registrar
NORTH PACIFIC COLLEGE
Btudents taking a resular degree
course are required to enter at the be
ginning of the session.
Requirements or admission:
To the course ln dentistry, high
school graduation or its equivalent. 15
units.
To the course ln pharmacy, two year.
of high school, or Its equivalent, s u"ii.
rkF.STISTRY and PHARMACY
The Annual Seoattm "Begun October 1st
In pharmscy two courses are errerea:
One ot two years leading lo the de
gree ol Graduate- ln Pharmacy (l'lk
O.i.
One of three years leading to the
degree of Pharmaceutical chemist (Hi.
tJ..
An Illustrated catalogue of Informa
tion will be sent upon application to
The Begistrar. North Pacific College, East Sixth and Oregon sis., Portland, Or.
FIFTY-SIXTH TEAR
St. Mary's Academy and College
PORTLAND. OREGON
1 1 1 y-- S'"-. ... ', . .
Boarding and Pav
Ki hool for Oirls and
Young Women.
Conducted by the
Slaters of the Holy
.Heme Jcsu. and
Mary
College, Aisdemlo,
t'ornnierrlal, liram
mar and Klrmen
tary Department.
Special Advantages
In Music. Art and
Domentic K-'lence
For I'arllculara
Apply
later huperlnr