| OCR Text |
Show it is thought best to apply themsalves definitely in the vocational period. The course has been planned with the vocational aim very clearly,and positively dominant, with especial emphasis on agricul- . ' ture and home making. The character and amour$ of academic work has been determined by its relative value and importance as - . a means of solution of the problems of the farmer, mechanic, and . I, housewife. All effort is directed toward training Indian boys and . girls for efficient and useful lives under the conditions whicli they must meet after leaving school. ! It was thought best to have the course introdu&d and tried out I. . in the schools throughout the country before having it published in permanent form, therefore a tentative edition was printed and gotten , . I ready for introduction on February 1, 1916; To aid in the intro, ' auction of the course the entire Indian.wuntry was divided iato 21 . districts, and an equal number of experienced superintendents, one from each district, were chosen to visit. the schools and assist the local superintendents and workers in the introduction of the course. In order that these supervising superintendents might be better quali-fied for their special assignment, they were brought to Washington . . . . , and spent a week in conference, familiarizing themselves with the aims and purposes, and all of the details of the wurse.. Three. ses- - sions were held each day and every featnre of the course was dis-cussed. Previous to and during these conferences copies of the , course of study were su'bmitted to leading educators of the country for criticisms and suggestions A number of educators of national reputation were invited to participate in the conferences. Such criti-rims, suggestions, and conferences were very helpful and .resulted in being able to offer a course to Indian schools which had the in-dorsement of leading educators from all grades and classes of schools .. . ,. - and from all sections..of the country. ' 1, ,. On. February 1, '1916, the course was introduced in all Indian schools throughout the United States: It was cordially received-everywhere, as the need of a standard and uniform course had long been felt. Thesupervisiig superintendents visited all of the schools once or twice between February 1 and the end of the term in June and rendered much valuable assistance in the introduction of the course. As a further means of perfecting the course of study and ,aiding in its introduction, a series of six summer instikutes, lasting - two weeks each, were planned and held during tlie months of June, July, and August. One of the principal purposes of these institute meetings and of the o5cers and employees was the development of a workable plan for the succe&I introduction,and better under- - standing of the new course of study.and thus insure its intelligent and complete installation at the beginning of the fall term of the , - ; fiscal year 1917. The institutes were held at Haskell Institute, Law- .~ . |
