THE MAY CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS
Professor C. D. Adams, in behalf of the College, has announced the program for the ninth annual May Conference of teachers of secondary schools with members of the faculty of Dartmouth College, to be held at Hanover, N. H., May 13, 14, and 15, 1909.
It is customary to give the entire time of each conference to the discussion of questions connected with the some one department of study, and it is expected that next year the conference will be on the teaching of History. This year, in view of the increasing attention that is being given to questions of the general adjustment of work between school and college, and of definite changes that are under consideration by the faculty of Dartmouth College, and by the College Entrance Examination Board, it has been thought well to invite school principals and superintendents to join with the college faculty in the discussion of the whole question of college admission.
It will be seen that the program allows time for a full and free discussion on Friday forenoon; it is hoped that school officers will come with definite propositions and will feel entire freedom in criticism of existing regulations. It is only by such discussion that the faculty of the college can so adjust the admission requirements as to secure the perfect co-operation that ought to exist between the parts of one educational system.
The great majority of Dartmouth students come from the high schools; the college faculty recognize the fact that these schools must first of all provide for the needs of their communities as a whole; the problem of reconciling the demands of the small number in any school who are to go to college with the needs of the large body who go from school to their life work is one of the most pressing in the field of secondary education. No one is better qualified to speak on this problem than Superintendent Morrison, who is in the deepest sympathy with the aims of the higher education, and at the same time accepts to the full his responsibility as the representative of the whole people.
Many people are looking for relief from the pressure on the high schools through important changes in the work of the elementary schools. Among the schools that are doing successful work in this direction the schools of Newton, Mass., are conspicuous. Their superintendent, Doctor Spaulding, will speak with the authority of successful experience on this whole problem.
It has been customary to have as a feature of these conferences at least one evening address that should take the thought from the details of routine work out into broader fields. For such service this year Professor Kirtland of Phillips Exeter has been secured. During the past winter he has visited some of the great English schools, under circumstances that have given him an unusual opportunity to learn of their work both in principle and in daily routine. Mr. Kirtland was a delegate of the National Civic Federation, and those who have heard him since his return have learned how worthily he has fulfilled his trust.
The afternoon of Friday will be given to the annual luncheon and speaking of the High Schoolmasters' Club of New Hampshire. The members of the club, together with all others who are in attendance on the conference, ladies as well as gentlemen, will be the guests of the College at College Hall.
It is hoped that many superintendents will attend this conference and take part in the discussions. While the topics proposed are those that primarily interest the high school and academy principals, some of them involve so much consideration of the work of the other schools that advice of school superintendents is earnestly desired.
PROGRAM
The evening sessions will be in Room A, Dartmouth Hall; all other sessions, in the Lecture Room of Bartlett Hall (the Y. M . C. A. Building).
Thursday, May 13, Evening—7.30, Welcome to the College, with Remarks on Pragmatism and Present Educational Tendencies, Professor H. H. Home; Address : Some Observations on Education in England, Professor J. C. Kirtland, Jr., Phillips Exeter Academy; Informal Social Hour at College Hall.
Friday, May 14, Forenoon—7.50, Chapel Service with the College, Rollins Chapel; 8.15, Historical Sketch of the Formulation of. College Entrance Requirements and their Administration, Professor F. P. Emery; 9.00, Proposed Changes in the Requirements for Admission to Dartmouth College; Dean Emerson; 9.30, Recess; 9.45* What Changes in the Entrance Requirements of Dartmouth College or m their Administration are desired by the Schools? An informal discussion, opened by Principal Harry P. Swett, Franklin, N. H.
Afternoon— At one o'clock the members of the Conference, with the members of the High Schoolmasters' Club of New Hampshire, will be the guests of the College at lunch in College Hall. After lunch the speaking will be under the direction of the president of the club, Principal C. A. Tracy, Kimball Union Academy.
Evening—7.30, In what particulars do the demands of the colleges hinder the work that the high schools should be doing for the people as a whole? Superintendent Henry C. Morrison, New Hampshire; 8.15, In what ways could the pressure on the high schools be relieved by changes in the work of the elementary schools? Dr. F. E. Spaulding, Superintendent of Schools, Newton, Mass. ; Informal discussion of the above topics, introduced by Professor G. R. Wicker.
Saturday, May 15, Forenoon-7.50, Chapel Service with the College, Rollins Chapel; 8.15, Effective Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools: From the standpoint of scholars who are to enter college, Professor E. J. Bartlett; From the standpoint of scholars who are not to enter college, Mr. F. M. Howe, Kimball Union Academy; 9.30, What would be the effect on the colleges and on the schools if Latin should be required of all candidates for admission to college? Professor R. L. Taylor; Discussion, opened by Principal W. H. Young, Stevens High School, Claremont, N. H.
