708 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 36 



has seemed best to organize the vocational schools on such a basis 

 as would practically prevent the passage of students to institutions 

 of higher learning. The needs of certain industries have been the 

 paramount considerations in determining the courses of instruction 

 in the vocational schools. Matters relating to the general education 

 of the students for citizenship or for social life have in consequence 

 been little regarded, and industrial efficiency has been almost the 

 sole standard for measuring the results of the work of these schools. 

 Without doubt much success on this basis has been attained, but 

 it remains as yet an open question whether such education is a suffi- 

 cient preparation for life in a free democracy. On the other hand 

 there is danger that the traditional views and methods which have 

 hitherto prevailed in our public school system may so influence the 

 attempts to establish vocational education in this country that such 

 education may be too amateurish and unpractical. 



It is, therefore, probably very fortunate that so much flexibility 

 of organization has been incorporated in this act. This broad 

 measure, which will affect the educational system of our vast country 

 with its great variety of industrial conditions and possibilities, gives 

 an unequalled opportunity for the study and trial of curricula, 

 methods of teaching, practical work, equipment, etc., adapted to a 

 wide range of vocations and very diverse environments. 



The training of the teachers provided for will throw a very heavy 

 burden of responsibility on our higher technical institutions and 

 particularly the land-grant colleges. These institutions have been 

 very successful in training technical experts who have contributed 

 in large measure to the success of our industries. They have not as 

 yet paid any large attention to the training of teachers for secondary 

 schools of the strictly vocational type. The pedagogy of this class 

 of education is yet in its preliminary stages. It evidently will not 

 do simply to copy what has been worked out abroad. There is there- 

 fore great incentive for men of original thought and inventive skill 

 to enter this comparatively new field of teacher training. The col- 

 leges should offer inducements to able men to undertake this service, 

 and use every proper means to build up strong educational depart- 

 ments along this line. 



Since the Federal Board is charged with the approval of the plans 

 proposed by the state authorities, as well as with the general admin- 

 istration of the measure, it is quite probable that the policies which 

 the board may formulate will be an important factor in getting the 

 new system of education under way. Opportunity is also afforded 

 for the board to render constructive service of wide value through 

 the educational studies for which provision is made. 



At the time of writing, the appointive members of the Federal 

 Board have not been announced, so that organization of this body 



