Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 219]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

220

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

a time to leave their classes and make journeys through the state for the purpose. Recently Professor McMurry has returned from a trip occupying a full month, and in this time he visited twenty-one schools. There still remain about twenty more which should be examined t h i s year. School superintendents and principals are now anxious to have their schools placed on our list. In no other way can so close connection be made between the University and the public high schools, a thing desirable in itself and mutually helpful to all concerned. The professor of pedagogics can be especially helpful in his visits to these schools and can gain information of direct professional utility for himself. If, in some way, his university work could bs taken care of eight or ten weeks each year, it seems to me the problem of high school visitation would be solved best by placing it wholly in his charge. Possibly his own class work could be left during his absence with one or both of the training teachers suggested, if these are employed. In such case the work to be done should be considered in the appointments, and probably one of those engaged should be a man. The salary, too, would probably have to be more than the amount stated.

AGE FOR E N T R A N C E .

The faculty recommends t h a t the minimum age for entrance, both to the preparatory school and the University, be raised from 15 to 16 years. The state law requires t h a t all applicants for admission be at least 15 years of age. There is no legal obstacle, however, in the way of raising t h e standard in this respect, and while the proposed change would have little effect as to numbers, it would exclude some who become a hindrance and a detriment In the classes. In the preparatory school t h i s year 6 entered at the age of 15, while 42 are over 20 years old; 8 entered at 16, 24 at 17, 31 at 18, and 18 at 19 years.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL.

Much consideration has been given to t h e development of the preparatory school. A two years' course is recommended instead of the one year course, as now existing. In this extension more time is given some of t h e subjects, especially English and mathematics, and it is proposed t o add: Zoology, H terms; free-hand drawing, 1 term; general history, 2 terms; French or German, 3 terms. The whole has been arranged in three general courses, called, respectively: (1) Science and mathematics^ (2) English-Latin, and (3) classical. The first is preparatory to the science and technical, the second to the English and modern language, and the third to the classical courses of the University. The adoption of this plan will necessitate more teaching force and more room for t h e classes. There have been employed this year two persons who give their whole time to these classes, one who has two large classes throughout the year, three who have each one class throughout the year, and one who has two classes one term, making for full and heavy duty a total of about 3i persons. One University instructor and two professors each have one of these classes through the year, an arrangement t h a t can not be considered satisfactory from any standpoint except t h a t of the pupil. Should these instructors be relieved, there would be required, on t h e present basis, seven instructors in the preparatory department. If t h e pupils in French and German and in free hand drawing are permitted t o attend the University classes, there seem to be still necessary six teachers for the preparatory work as outlined. I t must remain to be seen whether or not the school would attract as many pupils with a t w o years- course as it does now. I t should still be possible for those of mature years and capable of doing more t h a n average work to complete a preparatory course in one year, and the proposed scheme of studies meets this requirement; but it is expected t h a t most of the pupils would be entered for the two years' course. The school has been self-sustaining a i d probably will continue to pay at least for the instruction, but in