THE COURSE OF STUDY: - - The question of a change in the course of study
has been under discussion for some time but as yet nothing definite has been
decided relative to it. I have been giving the matter careful study and hope to be
able to submit to the Educational Committee before very long a revision of our
entire course for their approval. My thought now is that there is not much change
needed in the Primary and Intermediate School, as I look over our present course in
those departments it seems to me that it covers pretty thoroughly what we want
done. My deepest concern is to get this course taught as laid down.
In the advanced school at the Farm something is needed to strengthen the
course, especially, are we weak on Reading and History. One great draw back is
lack of time to do the work required thoroughly. A severe criticism that could be
justly made on us here is that we are attempting more than we have time to do
thoroughly. In order to do the things right we must cut out some of the work we
are attempting, [or] we must have more teaching force. Which shall it be? It is
possible to give more time to class room instruction and less to industrial work
and get the same resultsm as a larger teaching force would give but is that desirable?
Our present course at the Farm includes the following:

For all Classes

(Reading 4 terms of 8 Mos. 5 Periods a week of 35 Min. each
(English 4 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "
(Arithmetic 4 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "
(Agriculture 4 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

1st. Year Class

(Physiology 1 term of 8 Mos. 5 Periods a week of 35 Min. each

2nd. Year Class

(Civics 1 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

2nd., 3rd, 4th Classes

(Drawing 4 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

3rd. Year Class

(Physics 1 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

4th Year Class

(Gen. History 1 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

[p. 4]

. . . This makes an average of five subjects per day per class.
It will be observed that no history is included in the four years at the
Farm School until Senior Class is reached then general history is taken up.
This seems rather a large gap from the intermediate school to the senior class. I
think it might be well and advisable to introduce English History as an intro-
duction to general history. It would considerably strengthen the course if
American History were continued from the Hill School and put in the first year at
the Farm, only it should be broadened in its scope so as to include our economic
history. Following this as a natural sequence should come civics including the
history of our political institution, as well as the study of governmental machinery[.]
The third year we could introduce English History and if the previous work be
properly done the student would be ready for this. Upon the completion of this
study the student would then be prepared to take up general history. With the
previous three year’s training given, one year additional study in world history
under competent direction ought to give a good grasp [of] knowledge of the subject of
history. What does the Committee think of the proposition? There are some
questions to be considered, however, in carrying out such a program. In the first
place whatever is done in teaching under our present arrangement must be done
between 9 and 12:30 in the morning. With the number of teachers now in our service
each is crowded to the limit of his time to get through the classes now being taught,
and I don’t see how we can give up a single class.

Then again, it is not easy on salaries we pay to get teachers who are
capable of carrying out the plans as laid down, and if we get them they leave us
at first offer of more remunerative employment. For instance, J. R. Dungee, the
most experienced teacher on our force, is offered $100 per month to teach in
another school. The school runs only nine months, of course, but this is $900.
for nine months against our $500 for twelve months. The comparison seems in the
other school’s favor.
. . .

Principal

[Excerpt, pp. 3-4, from Edgar A. Long, “Report of Principal to the Educational Committee,” Friends’ Freedmen’s Association of Philadelphia, for month ending May 30th, 1910, FFA Minutes, Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College; copy in Montgomery County School Board records. Transcription slightly alters formatting.]