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Show COMMI66IOI?ER OB INDIAN -AIRS. 11 UNIFOREMX ~INATIONB.-fAur ther step has been the preparation of uniform final examinations to be eiven in all schools to the pupils completing each academic or industrial course. These eximiha-tions were given in nearly all schools during the week beginning June 4. Unfortunately, however, a few boarding schools had been compelled to close prior to the usual date of closing because of inability to comply with the act of September 7, 1916 (39 Stat. L., p. 741), which limited expenditures for school support or maintenance to $200 per pupil per annum. While under favorable circumstances it might be and was found possible to properly operate vocational schools within this limitation, yet in some cases greatly increased costs of all supplies coupled with the reduced enrollment of pupil8 necessitated the closing of schools. This could not be avoided in some 17 instances without exceed-ing the per capita cost fixed by law and at these schools it became necessary to furlough some of the employees. Examinations pre- 'pared at the schools were given instead of the uniform examina tions. Much importance is attached to the new come and results thus far are encouraging for a high standard of school work and attain-ment for the Indian pupils. The'aim of the course is to fit thor-oughly the student to become an e5cient wage earner and citizen, qualified to make his way successfully and with credit to himself and his race. The introduction of a course of study more comprehensive and 7 systematic than that adopted by many, perhaps most, of the public schools was not attempted without facing the possibility of di appointments; but these, I am glad to state, have been few. The results of the h t fu ll year have been in a promising degree suc-cessful as regards better claasi6cation of pupils, better organization of school employees, more definite educational aims, more clearly defined outlines for preparation, instruction, and study; in general, a knitting together of loose and variant methods and theories of educational work into something more uniform, practical, and withal focal as to the essential needs of the Indians. I a& greatly encouraged by what has been accomplished in the introduction of an effort to make the system of Indian education thoroughly applicable to racial conditions and prospects. Upon the recognized truism that there can be no lasting civiliza-tion without schools for all, without a democracy of education, I hope by such provision more than by any other to guarantee the perpetuation and progress of the red ram. I see in this molding process the certain development of a body of young men and women |