The Problem of Educability

The United States Commissioner of Education called a conference recently in Chicago, of persons particularly interested in the field of elementary education, to consider what changes were necessary and practicable in order to improve the elementary school system of the country for the purpose of meeting after-war conditions in a satisfactory and scientific manner. At every point, it seems to me, from the kindergarten to the professional schools, from the four-year-old level up to the level of the graduate student, our school system can be improved by a change of aim, content and method. At two points, the elementary school system needs immediate and thorough-going reconstruction. These two points are the proficiency level of the first grade, and the proficiency level of the working certificate. The former is the age level of the child of from four to six; the latter the age level of the boy or girl of from fourteen