y & a- ^ > .6- to y 5 $ > ft ^ • nT^ Cl, a >«V n> > u, • * x u ^ b \ THE COURSE FOR STATE NORMAL SCHOOL Plattsburgh, N. Y. oO § a Ifa 5 / «4 I i 3 UVvcK&lit wi u.L.„ JAW '3 «' 3 PUBLISHED BY THE SCHOOL PRINTED IN ITS OWN PRINT SHOP ACCOUNTING CL-ASS FACULTY GEORGE K. HAWKINS, D. Sc. Principal of the School Prof. W. G. THOMPSON Head of Department of Commercial Education Bookkeeping, Accounting, Office and Business Practice Shorthand, Typewriting, Commercial English and Correspondence Business Writing O. W. KITCHELL, D. Sc. Commercial Arithmetic, Commercial Geography Commercial Law, School Economy Logic ALONZO N. HENSHAW, Ph. D. Psychology, History of Education B. G. SINCLAIR, A. M. Economics, History of Commerce The Faculty of the Department of Commercial Education are regular members of the Normal School Faculty. INTRODUCTORY N OTHING can be of such enduring consequence to the educational interests of New York as a qualified and pro- fessional teaching service. Such a body of teachers must pos- sess not only accurate scholarship, but they must be imbued with the spirit and purpose of instruction. Such a trained and devoted body of teachers can result only from a uniform and persistent general policy looking to that end. Each act and all efforts of the public school authorities must conform to such a policy. The Normal Schools must not be held back from doing all that such magnificently equipped institutions may do to produce this result by reason of the presence of students un- prepared for professional work, and who are not in sympathy with the spirit which should characterize professional institutions. On the other hand, it is the imperative duty of supervisory of- ficers and teachers to seek out and secure competent and pre- pared material for these institutions, that they may continually send into the teaching service a sufficient number of men and women to influence and direct the whole mass. A rapidly increasing demand for commercial education in high schools, academies, and private schools, and the growing tendency to broaden existing commercial courses, have created a demand, far in excess of the supply, for young men and women iiained to teach the commercial subjects. It is conceded that this training should be at least as broad as that required for other teachers in secondary schools. How to meet this increasing demand for thoroughly trained commercial teachers is a growing problem. The remuneration of commercial teachers is particularly attractive, and those who intend to enter the teaching profession will do well to investi- gate carefully this course. GENERAL REGULATIONS T HE Plattsburgh Normal School is designed to furnish trained teachers for the public schools of New York State. The school provides two courses of professional instruction ; the Elementary Teachers Course and the Course for Commercial Teachers. The course first mentioned is common to the other normal schools of the state. The commercial course is given only at Plattsburgh. In order to be admitted, persons desiring to enter the school must receive a formal appointment from the district superinten- dent of the district or the superintendent of the city in which they reside. Such persons should write to the principal of the school or to the State Education Department for an application blank. This blank should be filled out and mailed as directed. Residents of other states are admitted by special appointment of the Commissioner of Education and are required to pay in advance to the treasurer of the local board a tuition fee of $20 for a term of 19 weeks. On concurrence of the principals interested a student may be transferred from one normal school to another by the Com- missioner of Education, for cause. To all resident students tuition is free. The use of textbooks is free to all professional students. The school year opens on the second Wednesday in Sep- tember and continues in session 39 weeks. The year is divid- ed as follows ; two terms jf 1 9 weeks ; one week at the close of the year for examination and graduation. Students may be graduated at the end of each term, but commencement exer- cises will be held only at the close of the year in June. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS P ERSONS applying for admission to the Course for Com- mercial T eachers must be at least sixteen years of age and must satisfy one of the following requirements: 1 . Graduation from any four-year course in an approved high school or its equivalent. 2. Graduation from a general normal course approved by the State Education Department or from a college course simi- larly approved. Applicants presenting such credentials will be permitted to graduate in one year if they show the required aptitude 3. Applicants, 21 years of age, who have completed two years of academic work in a high school may be admitted with the understanding that they must complete the minimum ap- proved high school course before graduation. Applicants who have completed three years of academic work plus an approved commercial course may be admitted with the understanding that they must complete the minimum approved high school course before graduation. Credit will be given for the commercial course so that the diploma may be earned in two years. The aim of this course is to prepare teachers of commercial subjects for high schools, academies and private schools of New York State. Applicants seeking advanced credit in elementary or ad- vanced bookkeeping will be expected to submit their book- keeping sets for examination. SUBJECTS IN THE COURSE T HE Course for Commercial Teachers extends through two years and includes the following subjects. The num- erals indicate the number of 45 minute periods required in each subject. El. bookkeeping, business practice, business writing, and methods 200 Adv. bookkeeping, office practice, business writing, and methods 200 Commercial arithmetic and methods 1 00 Commercial geography and methods 1 00 Commercial English, correspondence, and methods 60 Commercial law and methods 1 00 History of commerce and methods 1 00 Economics 100 Elementary shorthand and methods 200 Advanced shorthand and methods — 200 Typewriting and methods ----- 200 Principles of accounting 1 00 Accounting practice 1 00 Logic 80 Psychology 1 00 Principles and history of education 1 00 School economy - — - 40 Observation and practice — 400 Graduates from this course, upon recommendation of the principal of the school, will receive a diploma, which will license its holder to teach in any commercial school or commercial de- partment in any public school in the State. ARRANGEMENT FIRST YEAR First Term Elementary Bookkeeping and Methods 6 Methods of Business Writing 2 Commercial Arithmetic 5 Commercial English, Correspondence, and Methods 3 Elementary Shorthand 3 Typewriting 3 Psychology 5 Second Term Advanced Bookkeeping and Methods 8 Business Practice and Methods 2 Commercial Geography and Methods 3 Elementary Shorthand and Methods 3 Typewriting and Methods 3 Logic 4 SECOND YEAR First Term Principles of Accounting 5 Advanced Shorthand 3 School Economy 2 Commercial Law and Methods 3 Economics 3 Observation and Practice 1 0 Second Term Accounting Practice 3 Office Practice and Methods 2 Advanced Shorthand and Methods 3 History of Commerce and Methods 5 History and Principles of Education 5 Observation and Practice 10 The numerals following the subjects indicate the number of recitations per week. DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECTS Bookkeeping Elementary Bookkeeping. — The purpose of this subject is to give a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of bookkeeping, and thus lay a solid foundation for the study of advanced bookkeeping. Journalizing is emphasized so that the student may be able to express in journal entry form any book- keeping facts that may be presented to him. The evolution of the original journal into the modern journals — cash, sales, pur- chases, etc., is explained and the books are used. Advanced Bookkeeping. — In this course controlling accounts are used to illustrate the articulation of subsidiary ledgers with the main ledger. Practice is given in the use of special column books of original entry. The system known as the voucher sys- tem, proprietors’ capital and private accounts, and changing books from single to double entry are given due attention. As many advanced problems are studied as time will allow. Business and Office Practice The aim of this course is to familiarize the student with all forms of business papers, bound books, loose-leaf books, card systems, filing systems, office appliances and equipment, index- ing, office organization, etc., through the use of several well equipped offices and a bank. Accounting Practical Accounting. — The work of this course covers the philosophy of accounts and the practice of accounting. The principles are applied to manufacturing costs and corporations. Accounting Practice. — The work of this course is primarily analytical and consists of practical problems in accounting, il- lustrating in greater detail the principles taught in practical ac- counting. Special attention is given to the preparation of Description of Subjects (continued) manufacturing, trading, and profit and loss statements, balance sheets, statements of income and expenditure, realization and liquidation accounts, statements of affairs, finding missing ac- counts, etc. Business Writing The purpose of this course is to develop efficiency in writ- ing with pen and crayon. A plain hand suitable to business will be insisted upon. The supervision of penmanship in the grades and high school will receive special attention. Shorthand Elementary Shorthand. — This part of the work is intended to cover the principles of Pitmanic shorthand, and to carry the student far enough in dictation to enable him to write and transcribe correctly. Advanced Shorthand.— This part of the course takes up advanced reporting principles. Daily dictation is given to develop speed until ordinary business and literary matter can be accu- rately and speedily written. Rapid transcribing of notes on the typewriter receives much attention. A careful comparison of the leading Pitmanic systems is made and their differences studied. Typewriting This course is intended to give the student a mastery of the touch method of operation, and a familiarity with the various kinds of work to be done on the machine. Thorough instruction and drill in general office work is given. The importance of ac- curacy with speed is emphasized. Commercial English and Correspondence The principal object of this course is to drill the student in the use of correct and forceful English for business purposes. Description of Subjects (continued) Business English is efficient English. Later in the course the time is given up entirely to practical business correspondence including follow-up letters, advertisements, etc. Commercial Arithmetic While this course is intended to cover all the principles of arithmetic, the chief aim is to secure efficiency in the handling of such arithmetical problems as are peculiar to business. Commercial Law In this course the effort is made to explain, as clearly as pos- sible, those fundamental legal principles, the knowledge of which the business man will most frequently find of value. Commercial Geography This subject is viewed as a study of the localization of in- dustries and exchange of products, as determined by the natural, human, and economic factors. The general aim is to discover and comprehend the conditions and principles underlying trade. History of Commerce As commercial geography portrays the commerce of today, so the history of commerce should depict in broad lines the commerce of past ages. The student should acquire a general knowledge of the origin and early development of commerce; should be able to trace its influence on the world’s civilization, and should become acquainted in a general way with the great influences by which the history of commerce has been affected. Economics The aim of this course is to give the student a clear under- standing of the principles underlying the business activities of the country and to enable him to apply sound economic reasoning to the practical problems of business life. Description of Subjects (continued) School Economy The purpose of this course is to present concisely and def- initely the problems which arise in school management, to ex- amine them in the light of psychology, hygiene, and sociology, and to make helpful suggestions looking to their solution. Psychology The aim of this course is to give a general introduction to the subject, emphasizing the topics which bear on education. Logic This course aims to train the student to appreciate the exact significance of language, to gain a comprehension of the essen- tial principles of correct thinking, to develop critical habits of mind, and to apply correctly the inductive and deductive meth- od in teaching. History of Education Acquaintence with at least the outlines of this subject is de- sirable, to give teachers some understanding of the significance of their own work and place in the educational world. Methods The most approved methods of presenting each commercial subject will be thoroughly taught, and students will be required to teach at least 300 of the 400 hours assigned for observation and practice. The arrangement and installation of commercial courses, the equipment of commercial departments mhigh schools, etc., will receive careful consideration. GENERAL INFORMATION P LATTSBURGH is situated on the Deleware & Hud- son Railroad between Albany and Montreal. It is a city of about 1 2,000 inhabitants, with an excellent system of sewer- age and an abundant supply of pure water. These circumstan- ces together with the natural healthfulness of the Adirondack region, make the location peculiarly desirable. Plattsburgh is unsurpassed in natural scenery and historic associations. On the one side is the broad expanse of Lake Champlain, studded with islands, with the Green Mountains in the background, while in the other direction stand the clear cut forms of the distant Adirondacks. The building is modern in architecture and construction, attractive in appearance, well lighted, heated by steam and ventilated by the most approved appliances. A new system of electric lights was installed during the past year and full provision was made at the same time for the use of the stere- opticon for visual instruction. The sanitary arrangements are in every respect exceptionally good and all modern improve- ments have been employed to ensure the comfort and welfare of students. Pictures and statuary abound throughout the build- ing and every effort is made to surround the student with an atmosphere of taste and cultivation. The equipment for carrying on the work in the commercial course is new and complete. The accounting department is equipped with special flat-top desks which were made in our own manual training department, and which have been pro- nounced the best bookkeeping desks in use. The business and office practice is carried on by means of several offices and a bank which are equipped with all modern office appliances, including flat and rotary mimeographs, press and roller copiers, General Information (continued) flat and vertical letter files, card cabinets, etc. The typewrit- ing room has sixteen of the latest model standard typewriters and desks. Special rooms are equipped for shorthand and for high school use. A growing commercial museum furnishes op- portunity for the study of the materials of commerce. A well selected reference library of more than 8000 vol- umes occupies one of the largest and pleasantest rooms in the building. A special librarian is in attendance at all times to give students necessary assistance. The reading room is bounti- fully supplied with leading periodical literature, especially that of pedagogical character. The school possesses a large gymnasium, well equipped with modern appliances for exercise. A dressing room and shower bath with hot and cold water have been provided. The large campus has a base ball diamond, tennis court, etc., and affords ample opportunity for all outdoor games. Rooms with board can be obtained in private families for from $4.00 to 4.50 a week, including fuel and light. The greatest care will be taken to secure quiet and home -like board- ing places. Rooms may be obtained, either furnished or unfurnished, at low rates for those students who may desire to board themselves. On arriving at Plattsburgh, students should go immediately to the Principal’s office in the school building, where they will be met by the Principal or other members of the faculty and directed to boarding places. For information concerning the school, not found in this cir- cular, address the Principal, who will be pleased to answer all questions. TYPEWRITING ROOM lake: CHAM r la in 1 11 □ n m [5][al □ [oin m D [D 11