JUNIOR VOCATIONAL DIVISION

"I can not forbear to say, I would have my gentleman learn a trade, a manual trade; nay, two or three, but one more particularly."-Locke.

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The junior vocational division of the revised Course of Study corresponds in a general way to the junior high-school work of the public schools. It covers approximately the ground that was formerly comprehended in the seventh and eighth grades. The inclusion of this division of work thus puts the Indian schools on a plane that parallels the work of the public schools.

The purposes of this course are twofold. In the first place, it is planned with the definite thought in mind of offering a finishing course for the large majority of children in our schools who will drop out at the end of the eighth year's work. As these pupils greatly outnumber those who will continue their schooling, it is proper to place their needs first. A secondary object is to lay a little more thorough foundation than has been done in the past before the pupils take up the specialties offered in the senior vocational division.

The work is one of semispecialization. Definite courses for the boys in agriculture, carpentry, masonry, blacksmithing, engineering, painting, and auto mechanics are offered. These courses are more extended than in the work of the prevocational division and it is expected that. instructors will impart a more detailed knowledge of the different trades. Girls are to be definitely trained in all those things which will prepare them to be capable home makers.

This course will be offered in the majority of the nonreservation schools. It will also be offered in selected reservation schools. It is not expected that all these schools will give all the courses listed. Neither is this to be.desired. Perhaps the best results will be obtained if the work is confined, in most schools, to two or three courses for boys. The matter of equipment will enter largely into the question of determining the courses to be given. No school will add any of these courses until approval of such a change has been given by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

The scope of the courses offered in this division is indicated quite clearly in the synopses which follow.

COURSE FOR BOYS.

In case any school is not properly equipped to give one of these courses as above prescribed, it may be authorized on presentation of the facts to change the subject prescribed for the second half of either year by substituting any other of the first year junior vocational courses in place of the subject prescribed.

AGRICULTURE.