8 
ol 
2 
1] 
j- 
fe 
Pr— 
A 
1 
[4 
, 
2 
» 
- 
A SOCIOLOGICAL, IDEAL VIEW OF NORMAL SCHOOLS. 42% 
modify man from the cradle to the grave. Based on this and on other 
studies, as psychology and social science, will be— 
(2) The philosophy and theory of education. 
(3) The history of education and comparative education. This will not 
be a history of schools only, but of the leading influences which have 
acted upon and modified mankind. 
(4) Child psychology. 
(5) Didactics, methodology in general, embracing the principles of train- 
ng and education values, and followed by the methods of separate studies. 
Tere will be necessary a review, for this purpose only. of the branches to 
se taught by each teacher. 
(6) School administration and economy, including school law and school 
hygiene. 
(7) Model and practice schools, and perhaps a Probejahr. 
[n addition to the above general course for teachers there will be elec- 
sive courses, such as were suggested in the discussion this morning, which 
will run through one or two years and relate entirely to the specialty of 
she teacher, as in kindergarten work, a high-school department, or a prin- 
cipalship ; but other elective, post-graduate courses in some science or art 
would be taken in the university proper along with the work in pedagogy 
required of all teachers above the grammar school, so that they may be 
made fit representatives in learning of what they propose to teach, whether 
it be chemistry, drawing, or wood-work. 
FROM THE IDEAL TO THE PRACTICAL, 
I have not time left to speak of the present. It is along and hard 
story, and has been narrated in wholesome terms before this association 
more than once. I will admit that we must offer academic studies, all of 
chem if you please, or we cannot get the students; and without the 
students both the normal school finances and the public school will suffer. 
Professor Gordy says : ¢* No one can read President Gray’s account of what 
a» normal school should be, without being struck by the almost pathetic 
contrast between his ideal normal school and the reality forced upon him 
oy circumstances.” 
But the light is breaking. Let us turn our faces toward it. Three 
things we can hope to accomplish within a few years. 
FIRST STEPS OF THE REFORM. 
(1) We can educate public opinion and the local school boards until 
with their consent our State legislatures adopt the standard already set 
by some normal schools ; that is, to require a high-school education for 
antrance. We can. perhaps, along with this hasten the increase in teachers’