\no REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS AND REGULATIONS FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN WEST VIRGINIA. Jt*^ PREPARED BY L. L. FRIEND, STATE SUPERVISOR OF HIGH SCHOOLS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF GEORGE M. FORD. STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS CHARLESTON 1921 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NOV 251921 OOCUM^|\Tw U.v.SION ^^\'jXh^.^ REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS. In 1911 the law providing for the classification of high schools was first enacted. This law has been amended in a few minor particulars at subsequent sessions of the legislature, but it remains substantially as it was first enacted. It prescribes certain general requirements for classification and authorizes the State superintendent of Schools to classify the high schools of the state in accordance therewith. This act as amended by Chapter Two of the Acts of 1919 is found in section eight}'-two of the school law. In order to carry out the provisions of this law and to accomplish the purposes for which it was enacted, the State Board of Education has prescribed certain rules and regulations relating to the qualifications of high school teachers, the equipment of laboratories and libraries and standards of high school instruction. The purpose of this bulletin is to give for the convenience of school superintendents, high school principals and boards of education complete information concerning the requirements that must be met by high schools applying for classification and state aid. CLASSES OF HIGH SCHOOLS. Three classes of high schools are created by the classification law, — first-class, or four-year high schools : second-class, or three-year high schools ; and third-class, or two-year high schools. The requirements for each class are explained in the following paragraphs: LENGTH OF TERM. The minimum school term in all classified high schools shall be thirty-six weeks. LENGTH OF PERIODS. All class periods must be at least forty-five minutes in length. Lab- oratory periods must be ninety minutes. Where supervised study is employed, class periods should be at least sixty minutes. ENROLLMENT No minimum enrollment has been established for classified high schools. It will be the policy of the State Superintendent of Schools hereafter, however, not to accord first-class rank to high schools hav- ing an enrollment of fewer than forty pupils unless there are specially strong reasons for doing so. TEACHERS. In high schools of the first class not fewer than three teachers must be employed who give full time to high school instruction. The prin- cipal may be included as one of the minimum number of teachers re- 4 quired if he teaches as many as four classes; otherwise three full- time teachers must be employed besides the principal. Two-thirds of the teachers employed in high schools of the first class must be graduates of standard colleges or universities. Other teachers em- ployed in high schools of this class must have completed at least two full years of work of college grade. In high schools of the second class not fewer than two teachers must be employed full time in high school instruction. At least one of these teachers must be a graduate of a standard college or university Other teachers employed in high schools of this class must have com- pleted at least two years of work of college grade. In high schools of the third class at least one teacher must be em- ployed full time in the teaching of high school subjects. Teachers employed in high schools of the third class must have completed at least two years of work of college grade. CERTIFICATES All high school principals and teachers must hold West Virginia teachers' certificates valid in high schools (School Law, section 96). Until June 30, 1922, the following certificates are valid in high schools : 1. First grade elementary certificates (school law, section 104). \^. Normal school certificates (school law, section 104)) 3. High school certificates (school law, section 105). 4. Supervisors' certificates (school law, section 106). 5. Special certificates for teachers of such subjects as music, manual training, home economics and commercial branches (school law, section 108). On and after the first day of July, 1922, all high school teachers will be required to hold high school certificates. Full information concerning the examination and certification of teachers may be obtained from the examination handbook, published by the State Department of Education and furnished free on appli- cation. LIBRARIES. All classified high schools are required to have good working libra- ries. The minimum number of volumes required in high schools of the first class is 500 ; in high schools of the second class, 350 ; and in high schools of the third class, 250. These minimum numbers must not include books provided for elementary grades, duplicate copies of books for class use, bulletins and reports. A good encyclopedia should be included in every high school library. The best encyclopedia for high school use is one in which the articles are not extremely long and are not very technical. Those selecting books for high school libraries, particularly in small schools, are advised against purchasing extensive sets of books. In most such sets only a small amount of material is ever used. The money required to purchase them will he much more profitably ex- pended for single volumes that are really needed in the library. Substantial and attractive cases should be provided for the library, that will afford sufficient shelf room for all books the library contains. Books should not be placed in double rows on the shelves. The books in the library should be classified and arranged on the shelves according to a definite plan of classification. A library record should be kept that will show what authors are represented in the library, what books of each author are listed, and the shelf position occupied by each book. A definite system for the issuing and loaning of books should be followed. In smaller schools, one person, preferably a teacher, should be designated as librarian and held responsible for the care and use of the library. The plan of placing several pupils in charge of the library, adopted in some schools is not to be recommended. In schools having three hundred or more pupils a full-time librarian should be employed. It is usually best in ordering a number of books for the library at one time to place the entire order with a general dealer or jobber. Both money and time may be saved in this way. A list of books suggested for high school libraries is published by the State Department of Education in the Library Day Program issued by the State Department. Another very excellent list is con- tained in Bulletin No. 35 of the series of 1913, published by the United States Bureau of Education. This bulletin is entitled "A List of Books suited to a High School Library" and may be obtained for fifteen cents from the Superintendent of Documents, Washing- ton, D. C. It is not sufficient to meet the requirements of classification that a high school have a satisfactory library. The library must be used in the work of instruction by the various departments of the school. SCIENCE LABORATORIES AND THEIR EQUIPMENT. The science subjects taught in the high schools of the state are chemistry, physics, biology, botany, zoology, physical geography, agri- culture, hygiene and sanitation and domestic science. Of course, not all of these sciences are taught in every high school; in fact only a few high schools offer instruction in all of them. It is expected that at least one year's work in science will be offered in each two-year high school. This may be general science biology, physical geography, hygiene and sanitation or agriculture. Many two-year schools offer, two years in science. Three-year high schools are expected to offer a minimum of two years of science, and four-year high schools, a min- imum of three years. The State High School Manual should be con- sulted for suggestions with regard to the most suitable place in the course of study for each science subject and for the content of science courses. Cases and Tables. Laboratory desks or tables are needed for all science subjects. Types of laboratory desks and tables have become fairly well standard- ized and may be purchased from dealers or made from drawings by local carpenters or cabinet makers. Suitable cases shauld also be pro- vided for the care of science apparatus and supplies. Larger high schools will also have storage rooms for this purpose. High schools are cautioned against having laboratories in basement rooms that are mainly below ground. Such rooms are almost invari- ably damp and apparatus and supplies are quickly damaged by damp- ness. The lighting of such rooms is also usually unsatisfactory. Apparatus and Supplies. The following lists of apparatus are prescribed as the minimum equipment necessary for successful laboratory and demonstration work in physics, chemistry, biology and general science. It may be found necessary, however, to make some modifications in these lists to meet the requirements of the various textbooks and laboratory manuals used. Some of the articles listed can be, obtained locally or made by the teachers or the members of the class. These lists of ap]:)aratus are sufficient for a class of ten to fifteen. The cost of individual pieces of equipment is not given for the reason that the cost varies with the kind and quality of apparatus and supplies purchased and with different dealers. Physics MECHANICS 3 spring balances, 250 g., flat back 3 spring balances, 2000 g., flat back 4 meter and yard sticks, combined 4 celluloid rules 1 vernier caliper 2 hollow cylinders with glass cover 1 inclined plane with pulley 1 carriage for inclined plane 1 set brass weights in block 5 single pulleys 2 double pulleys 2 triple pulleys 1 "composition of force" board 1 set of "universal weights" (iron) 3 equal-arm balances 1 Boyle's Law apparatus 1 set Magdeburg hemispheres 1 apparatus for Archimedes' Principle 1 Pascal's vases and apparatus 2 specific gravity bottles, 50 cc. 2 constant weight hydrometer tubes 2 constant volume hydrometer tubes 1 glass model of lift pump 1 glass model of force pump 1 aluminum wheel and axle 1 Aneroid barometer 1 air pump with mechanical valves 1 barometer tube with glass cup and pipette for filling 5 alcohol lamps (glass, 8 oz.) 3 protractors (brass, 5% in.) 15 ft. rubber tubing (% in.) 2 lbs. mercury 3 pendulum balls (iron, 1 in.) 2 iron supports with rings 3 clamp holders 10 two-inch iron clamps 2 lbs. lead shot 1 metric chart SOUNiD 1 set of four tuning forks 1 sonometer and wires 1 organ pipe with rod and light membrane 1 violin bow 1 Helmholts resonater 1 siren disc (metal, 10 in.) LIGHT 1 Hart's optical disc 1 photometer— student's form 1 set of six demonstration lenses (2 in.) 1 set Newton's color discs 1 direct vision spectroscope 2 mirrors, concave and convex, 12 c. m. 2 flint glass prisms (4 in.) 1 set Newton's rings — a pair of lenses 1^ in. in diameter in brass frame 6 standard candles HEAT 2 set Linear expansion apparatus 6 thermometers, 110 degrees C 3 copper boilers and burners 3 calorimeters (3 x 5) 1 sectional model of steam engine 1 distillation apparatus 1 compound bar (steel and brass) MAGNETISM AND ELECTRICITY 2 bar magnets (15 cm. long) 8 2 horselioe magnets 2 electro magnets 1 pound iron filings 5 zinc strips 5 copper strips 5 tracing compasses 2 Daniell cells Dry cells, (buy locally as needed) 2 five ohm, resistance coils 2 ten ohm, resistance coils 2 vulcanite rods 2 glass friction rods 1 cat's skin 12 pith balls 1 compass 1 galvanometer (Weston Instrument Company's Student type) 1 electroscope 1 static machine 1 dissectable Leyden jar 1 electrophorus 1 Geissler tube 1 plug resistance box 1 electrolysis apparatus 1 electric bell 1 complete sounder and key on base 1 induction coil (% inch spark) 1 telephone transmitter 1 telephone receiver (double pole) 1 Model 280 Weston Ammeter, 0-3 and 0-30 amperes 1 Model 280 Weston Volt meter, 0-3 and 0-30 volts 2 Wheatstone bridges 5 porus cups 1 lb. concentrated sulphuric acid 5 lbs. copper sulphate 3 lbs. copper wire — ^No. 18 B. & S. Annunciator wire 14 lb. German silver wire— No. 22 B. & S. MISCELLANEOUS 1 rotater 10 feet 1/4 in. antimony rubber tubing 10 ft. 3-16 in. rubber tubing 5 lbs. soft glass tubing assorted sizes 1 gross corks, assorted sizes 12 test tubes (% x 6) 1 glass graduate (100 cc.) 6 beakers (200 cc.) 4 thistle tubes ' 4 porcelain evaporating dishes (3 in.) 1 glass funnel (4 in.) 3 Florence flasks (flatbottom, 16 oz.) 6 rubber stoppers (two holes) for 16 oz. Florence flasks 1 gal. alcohol, denatured 5 lbs. Sal ammoniac 1 lb. Ether Chemistry The following apparatus should be supplied for the class in general: Copper wire gauze Magnifying glasses Platinum wire Retorts (255 cc) Lead dishes Burettes Weights Suliometers (100 cc.) Litmus paper Barometers Horn pan balances Thermometers Cork borers Widemouth bottles — 25cc to 150 cc. Asbestos gauze Cobalt glass Pipette — 20 cc Magnet Wood splinters Wool cloth — small pieces Rubber bands Cotton cloth — small pieces Each pupil should be supplied with the following appartus: 5 reagent bottles 120 cc. Glass tubing 4 plain beakers, assorted 1 Test tube rack 1 graduated cylinder, 50 cc. 1 Porcelain crucible — 15 cc. 3 German flasks, 500, 250 and 100 cc 1 Pipestem triangle 1 Oxygen flask, 150 cc. 1 hard glass test tube — 5 x 5-8 1 two-necked Woulff's flask 1 medicine dropper 1 calcium chloride tube 1 triangle file — 5 in. 12 specimen tubes 1 wing top for burner 1 eight-inch test tube 12 test tubes 1 sand bath 10 cm. Ithistle tube 1 bunsen burner with rubber hose 1 brass blow pipe, 20 cm long 1 small collar and clamp 1 wire candle holder 1 gas cylinder 1 ground glass cover, 10 x 10 cm. 1 pair of steel forceps 1 evaporating dish No. 4 1 porcelain mortar and pestle 2 glass fullens, 8 cm. and 4 cm. 25 cut filter papers 1 sheet drying paper 1 ring stand and two rings 1 pneumatic trough 2 rubber stoppers 1 deflagrating spoon 1 wire test tube holder 25 corks, assorted 1 watch glass 1 iron tripod Rubber tubing Chemicals : The quantity of each chemical needed will depen-^ upon the number in class. Acetic acid magnesium dioxide alcohol, ethyl marble chips alum mercury 10 aluminum wire and powder arsenic arsenic trioxide ammonium nitrate ammonium sulpliate ammonium sulphide antimony antimony chloride ammonium carbonate ammonia chloride ammonium hydroxide barium chloride barium nitrate barium sulphate bismuth bismuth chloride bismuth nitrate borax bleaching poM'der cadmium sulphate carbon disulphate calcium chloride, fused calcium chloride dry calcium fluoride carbon, charcoal and animal coal chloroform cobaltous chloride cobaltous nitrate copper, foil and turnings copper sulphate copper oxide, powder and wire chromic chloride cupric chloride eosin or acid green ether ferric chloride ferrous sulphate ferrous sulphide glycerine gypsum hydrochloric acid hydrogen peroxide hydrogen sulphide iodine iron filings lead 'e?.d acetate Ip?6 nitrate mercuric chloride mercurous nitrate mercuric nitrate mercuric oxide, red nickelous nitrate nitric acid oxalic acid paraffin phosphorus, red and yellow phosphoric acid plaster of paris potassium bitartrate potassium bromide potassium chlorate potassium chromate potassium chloride potassium cyanide potassium dischomate potassium ferricyanide potassium ferrocyanide potassium hydroxide potassium iodide potassium, nitrate potassium perchlorate char- potassium permanganate potassium sulphate rosin salt, common silver, foil silver nitrate soda, common baking sodium sodium acetate sodium chloride sodium carbonate sodium hydroxide sodium nitrate sodium peroxide sodium sulphate stannic chloride stannous chloride strontium nitrate sugar, cane sugar, glucose sulphur sulphuric acid tartaric acid tartar emetic 11 lime tin litharge zinc, granulated magnesium wire zinc, sulphate magnesium sulphate Required Apparatus and Supplies for Biology Compound microscopes, at least one for each four pupils in the class Slide boxes Dissecting microscopes, one for each pupil Tripod magnifiers, one for each member of class Dissecting sets, one for each member of class Dissecting pans, one for each member of the class 6 alcohol lamps (or Bunsen burners, if gas is used) 6 chemical thermometers 1 balance and weigt 1 earthenware jar, 5 gallons 12 wide-mouth Mason jars 1 250 cc graduate 1 2-gallon bell-jar 24 test tubes, % x 6 1 test tube rack 1 glass funnel, 5 in. 12 specimen slides 6 ring stands with two rings and one clamp 6 beakers, 220 cc 12 watch glasses 1 porcelain mortar and pestle 6 porcelain evaporating dishes, 3 in. 6 dropping bottles 12 petre dishes 12 large jelly tumblers 12 feet rubber tubing 12 soup plates 12 saucers 1 pound formaldehyde 1 test tube brush A few chemicals will be needed which may be obtained from the chemical laboratory of from a local drag store. OTHER REQUIREMENTS. A high school mav meet all of the foregoing requirements as to len,2rth of term, preparation of teachers and equipment and yet fail to satisfy ivWy the established standards of classification. A four-year high school may have a term of thirtv-six weeks, it may have a good library of five hundred volumes and well equipped science laboratories, and it mav have a sufficient number of teachers who have had the re- quired amount of scholastic preparation; and yet such a high school may fall far short of being a first-class high school. There are some 12 things that cannot be measured in terms as definite as can be used in measuring equipment, that are just as important in determining a high school's rank. Quality of Instruction. One of these things is the quality of the classroom instruction. A high school in which much of the instruction is noticeably poor and ineffective should not be ranked as a high school of the first class even if its equipment is of the best and all its teachers are college graduates. Organization. Some high schools do not merit first-class rank because they are poorly organized and their work is poorly directed. Organization is a term that is somewhat difficult to define; but it may be seen and judged in the teaching force, the arrangement of the program, the library and laboratories, the school activities, the janitor service and by other evidences that are sure to appear. The Spirit of the School. The spirit of a high school is also something that is not easily defined; and yet it manifests itself in numerous unmistakable ways. If, for example, the teachers are out of sympathy with their pupils, if the pupils are flippant and disrespectful in their attitude to- wards their teachers, if they come to class day after day with their lessons poorly prepared, and if they are lacking in school pride and in cooperation — the spirit of that school is undoubtedly bad. The spirit of a school is good when conditions the opposite of these pre- vail. The spirit of a school has much to do with the quality of its work and is, therefore, taken into consideration in its inspection and classification. HIGH SCHOOL INSPECTION. The law holds the state superintendent of schools responsible for the inspection and classification of high schools and for the purpose of discharging this responsibility he appoints a supervisor of high schools and an assistant supervisor of high schools whose duty it is to visit and inspect the high schools of the state and make reports to him concerning their condition. The classification of high schools is based upon the reports of these supervisors and upon the annual reports sent to the State Department of Education by high school principals. STATE AID. The law requiring the classification of the high schools of the state also authorizes the distribution of state aid to classified high schools. The maximum amounts that may be apportioned to such schools are as follows: To high schools of the first class $800 To high schools of the second class 600 To high schools of the third class 400 13 An additional apportionment of $1,000 is authorized for each of twenty high schools maintaining normal training departments ap- proved by the State Board of Education. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS. Section eighty-five of the school law authorizes boards of education to establish intermediate schools, or junior high schools, and makes it the duty of the State Board of Education to prescribe courses of study and regulations for such schools. In compliance with the above requirement of law, the State Board of Education has announced the following requirements for junior high schools : Definition — A junior high school shall be understood to include the seventh, eight and ninth (formerly first-year high school) grades organized as a distinct school unit. Teachers — ^Number of — At least two teachers shall be employed who give their full time to the teaching of junior high school subjects. Teachers — Qualification — All teachers employed in junior high schools shall, as a minimum qualification, be graduates of standard normal schools, or shall have completed normal school or college work that is the full equivalent of such graduation. Length of Term — The minimum term in approved junior high schools shall be thirty-six weeks. Class periods — The minimum class period in approved junior high schools shall be forty-five minutes. Libraries — All approved junior high schools shall have libraries con- taining at least 250 well selected volumes and shall have adequate and suitable cases for their protection and classification. Laboratory Equipment — All approved junior high schools shall have furniture, apparatus and supplies sufficient for the teaching of gen- eral science or industrial subjects for which credit is asked. ^-vjli