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the continued emphasis of this point the pupils may be initiated, if they have not been before, into the historical method which cannot be begun too early in life. As the clippings accumulate the files may be enlarged. Perhaps it may be feasible to have the pupils bring to class pictures of historical value taken from newspaper supplements, magazines and advertisements of various sorts. These may each be filed with the clippings or by themselves in separate cases appropriately labeled. Some pupils may, by the continued performance of the act of clipping periodicals, become vandals as it were, and thus a great source of annoyance to their parents and friends. In this instance the teacher must be the guiding factor and intercede before any harm results by explaining carefully just the method of procedure in order that the personal rights of others may not be interfered with in the process.

Besides the file of pictures it is often found of value to keep a file of maps. These, which should be of the desk size variety, the school or pupil may purchase at a small sum, and, after the teacher has assigned certain subjects to be illustrated, the pupils may make the maps under her supervision. The first maps may, and doubtless often will, prove of little value because of inaccuracy. But with more practice results may be obtained which will be worth filing for future use. As with maps so with various charts and graphs showing political and economic movements in various periods of history. The best, if not all, of the products of the pupils' labors along this line, should be carefully filed and labeled so that they may be easily accessible to themselves as well as to future history classes.

Since one often finds museums connected with libraries the pupils may be encouraged to bring objects of historical value to the teacher. Obviously, unless

some definite place is provided for such a collection of material as would be found in a museum, it would in all probability be best not to attempt such a scheme except on a small scale; but it is not out of place here to make such a suggestion.

In concluding, emphasis must be placed upon the part which the teacher plays in the history class room library, for upon her the success or failure of the plan rests. The whole of the library is and should be under the control and supervision of the teacher at all times. She should see that the books and files are always kept in order, and especially, that the pupils know how to keep them in order. Moreover she should make sure that the pupils are charged with whatever they take from the shelves to their desks or out of the room, and see that everything is properly returned to its respective place. In a word the teacher is the point of contact par excellence in the supervision and control of the high school history library.

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Research University

By CHARLES W. BLESSING, Editor of AMERICAN EDUCATION

Research University, a distinctively usually given in colleges, such as aerody

unique institution, has been recently established for experimental and undergraduate and graduate work in Washington, D. C. In less than three years it has had an unprecedented growth which can be explained only by the fact that it meets the needs of the men and women in the nation's capital who are taking advantage of the splendid opportunities this university offers in many fields of special study.

The institution has grown from one instructor, a handful of students, and one room in the fall of 1919 to a faculty of 75, a student body numbering nearly 1,000 this year, and two large buildings. These are located within a stone's throw of the White House and face the famous Lafayette square, which is regarded as the campus of Research University. This remarkable growth has been brought about through the educational vision, wise leadership, and rare executive ability of its president, Dr. Louis W. Rapeer.

No large city in the United States offers such a favorable field for an institution of this kind. In the various departments of the United States government at Washington there are upwards of 68,000 men and women regularly employed. Many of them are young and ambitious and are taking advantage of the late afternoon and evening courses which this institution offers. At present most classes are held after the day's work is practically over, the hours from five to seven o'clock being used for the afternoon classes, and from seven to ten for the evening session.

More than 150 practical and advanced courses are offered, which are in charge of competent instructors, nearly all of whom are leading specialists in the federal service. Among the many subjects of study are included some that are not

namics, airplane construction, commercial art, comptometry, costume design, economic research, efficiency and personality, foreign-trade principles, photoplay writing, poster design, short-story writing, statistics, etc. For all of these subjects there is a popular demand and hence they are offererd by this progressive institution. The university is operated on a coöperative basis, the institution sharing with the teachers and professors on a fifty-fifty plan the income which accrues from the very reasonable tuition charged. Instructors and students share in the management.

The writer had the pleasure of observing at first hand some of the inside workings of this institution during the Christmas holidays. It was very gratifying to note the high grade work that is being done by the regularly enrolled students. Indeed this institution is doing college and university work of a high order, requiring the standard 15 units for entrance and 120 hours for graduation. Credits given are now recognized by a majority of the leading colleges, state departments of education, and the United States Civil Service Commission. While the work done measures up to a very high standard, it is strictly experimental and of a research character. Be it remembered that the leading experts of the United States government teach classes, and that "the university is making two students grow where but one grew before," not only for those in the national capital, but by correspondence, any where in the world. Persons who had given up hope of securing advanced degrees and pursuing further studies of a cultural or professional character are attending in large numbers and going forward in their attainments and personal efficiency and are thus promoting

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the efficiency of the government's service. During the coming year a regular day college of a progressive character will be provided. At the present writing the university is taking over the Home Club, founded by Franklin K. Lane of the Interior Department, and is providing it with luxurious quarters in one of the old mansions near the White House. The Club is to operate for all federal employees.

As the university is operated on a coöperative plan, is not endowed, and is carried on at hours after the early closing of government offices, it has been possible to obtain experts not available elsewhere as instructors, who in turn pass on their experience and professional training to others. Furthermore, as these instructors teach for fifty per cent of the tuitions received, a premium is placed on each instructor's ability to attract students and to teach in such a way as to demonstrate to these students the value of his instruction. The instructor does not manifest the spirit which is often displayed in colleges of "take it or leave it." He is interested in doing everything possible for his students. The plan of coöperation extends also to students. The latter elect the president of the general student body and he sits with the board of trustees at its meetings. The trustecs are prominent educators of the District, rather than wealthy men who might help secure gifts of money to the university. If the ideal plan of coöperation is fully realized, it is expected that the university will finally be entirely self-supporting and will not be obliged at any time to look to private donors, legislators, nor politicians for financial assistance. present a third building is being purchased by faculty and students. Scholarships, in addition to interest, are granted to all who purchase shares in the new building.

At

Research University now confers the

regular degrees upon graduates who secure the usual number of credits and complete the work required for such degrees. It is the only institution of higher learning in the Capital which grants the degree of Bachelor of Secretarial Science. For the degree of B. C. S. (Bachelor of Commercial Science) three years of successful business experience are required in addition to the regular college work. In the list of degrees granted last year are found those of A. B., B. S., M. C. S., Ph. D., and LL. D. The plan of twelve-week quarters and six-week terms which is now in operation is very flexible, and students may enter practically at any time of the year, pursue courses of study desired, and thereby obtain credits. One who visits this center of educational activity can not fail to be impressed with the enthusiastic, democratic, and coöperative spirit which is noticeable on every hand.

This institution has enjoyed a remarkable growth for the reason that it merits it. It makes a direct appeal to ambiti ous men and women, pointing out that there is no standing still in one's educational career. It says to them in effect: "Only those who go forward win success. Use or lose. Employ your spare time and energy for a definite purpose. Take advantage of the many and exceptional opportunities for advanced study in those fields in which you are personally interested." Such was the appeal, and what was the answer? Eager men and women, many with graying hair, quickly responded, have enrolled as students and are pursuing their chosen studies with a will and enthusiasm that is remarkable. Research University has met a vital need and has taken advantage of an exceptional opportunity such as only the city of Washington affords. Its unusual growth of the past two years indicates that the future will witness a still larger development and expansion.

Annual Meeting of the New York State Association of District Superintendents

The tenth annual meeting of the New York State Association of District Superintendents of Schools was held in the Hotel Powers, Rochester, January 11-13. This is one of the most interesting of the state educational meetings for the reason that the body is not large, the attendance being about 175, and furthermore because the district superintendents of schools usually discuss the topic under consideration in a very direct and frank manner.

The absorbing topic of discussion this year was the report of the Committee of Twenty-One. This committee has made an exhaustive study and survey of rural education in this state, but has not yet submitted a complete report of its findings and recommendations. Professor George Works, head of the department of Rural Education of Cornell University and chairman of the Committee of Twenty-One, presented a partial report of the committee, particularly with reference to rural supervision, organization, and finance. As near as could be determined from this partial report, the committee proposes to recommend the reorganization of school districts under the jurisdiction of district superintendents of schools into what is called the community unit plan, providing a community board whose membership will vary greatly. Some boards Some boards may have not more than eight or ten members while others may have fifty or sixty. From this large community board it is planned to elect an intermediate board and provision is made for a committee appointed by the county board of supervisors for the purpose of redefining supervisory units and for another committee appointed by the Governor for the purpose of defining community units.

Relative to supervision the report recommends that present district superintendents be required to complete a half year's work in leadership in an approved institution, and that after 1926 all rural supervisors coming into the service shall be graduates of approved colleges with three years' experience plus one year of professional training for rural leadership. District superintendents are to be elected by the intermediate board.

The plan recommended by the committee for the equalization of tax burden is too complicated to be understood with such a brief presentation as Professor Works was able to give it, but in general it strikes a median of $290,000 of assessed valuation per teacher. Districts having less valuation per teacher receive state aid in accordance with the valuation of the school districts, the qualifications of the teacher, and other factors. Districts having more than $290,000 assessed valuation per teacher are to receive no state aid.

The recommendations were presented by Professor Works in a forceful manner and there was much discussion by the district superintendents. The discussion was continued on Thursday morning. Superintendents Covey and McManus thought that the defects in rural education are too much emphasized and indicated that defects in city education, if looked for with as much energy, might be found. As illustrations the Buffalo Survey and the press reports relative to New York city schools were cited.

The district superintendents seemed inclined to take no action either upon the report or upon the general work of the Committee of Twenty-One. The resolution submitted by Superintendent

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Marshall was passed that the Association go on record as favoring anything which in the opinion of the members of the Association stood for improvement in rural school conditions and the equalization of the tax rates for school purposes.

Address of Dr. Graves

On Wednesday evening Dr. Frank P. Graves, president of the University and Commissioner of Education, gave a very pleasing and scholarly address upon educational measurements. This was Dr. Graves first introduction to the body of district superintendents. He was very cordially received and made an excellent impression.

On Thursday afternoon Ralph Decker, District Superintendent of Schools of Sussex County, New Jersey, spoke on "Rural School Supervision in New Jersey." He mentioned the things which were being done by rural superintendents in New Jersey, practically all of which were being done by many of the district superintendents in New York state. There was only one thing mentioned in his whole address which is not being done in New York state, namely, providing visiting teachers to assist the district superintendent of schools in the work of supervision. His address indicates that the district superintendents in New Jersey place a great deal of emphasis upon molding and leading public opinion in the support of better rural schools. New York state's district superintendents might profitably place more emphasis on this phase of their work.

Thursday evening Mr. Winfield Holcomb of the State Education department spoke upon "Supervision of the Rural School." He maintained that the kind of supervision which is worthwhile is distinguished by four characteristics, it must be constructive, show knowledge

of methods of teaching, understand effective organization and show appreciation of good teaching.

Friday morning Mr. Avery W. Skinner of the State Education department spoke upon "Rating of Preliminary Papers, " Dr. C. N. Cobb on "The Approval of Apparatus," M. E. G. Lantman on "The Retirement System," and E. Lawrence Palmer of Cornell University gave an interesting talk on "The Use of Nature Study and the Leaflet."

Election of Officers

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, N. Berton. Alter, first district, Montgomery County; first Vice-President, W. C. Mepham, second district, Nassau County; second Vice-President, John B. McManus, first district, Otsego County; Secretary, Mrs. Mildred G. Pratt first district, Oswego County; Treasurer, Miss Gertrude M. Spear, second district, Essex County.

Miss M. Gazelle Hoffman of Niagara County was elected a member of the Grade Examination Committee for a term of five years. The executive committee was reorganized in such a way that one member is now chosen from each judicial district that employs district superintendents. The newly organized executive committee is as follows: C. I. Kingsbury, Mexico; L. J. Smith, Northport; W. J. Andrews, Oliverea; C. J. Mousaw, Schroon Lake; E. B. Whitney, Whitney Point; W. W. Rayfield, Webster; George E. Waller, Little Valley; George H. Covey, Katonah.

In the first evening session Dr. H. S. Weet, Superintendent of Schools of Rochester, welcomed the superintendcuts to the city and on behalf of Superintendent Hartwell, President of the Council of City and Village Superintendents, extended an invitation to the

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