Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/76



among the best friends of the institution generally; and an effort was made to guard and modify the Training Course without abandoning it entirely.

In 1867 Principal Mayhew suggested to the Board the following plan as “‘a modification of our present system which will meet more fully the demand upon the school.”

Ist. That all pupils must (as now) first pass the studies requisite for the Training certificate.

2d, All pupils who, having the ‘Training Certificate,’’ shall pursue in addition thereto, the studies of the higher English course, shall receive a “Certificate of Graduation,’’ with the privilege which the law at present gives to graduates of the the Normal School, of teaching without the legal necessity of further examination.

3d, There shall be given to ladies who, in addition to certificates of the Ist and 2d grade, shall have attained the knowledge requisite to teach German and French, a Preceptress’ Diploma.

4th. There shall be given to gentlemen who, in addition to the studies of the Ist and 2d grade shall have attained such knowledge of Latin and Greek as #% requisite to prepare pupils for College or the University, a Principal’s Diploma.

And, lastly, that ladies desiring to study Latin or Greek, or gentlemen desiring to study French or German, may do so subsequent to their graduation.

While the plan was not adopted, it is of historical interest, as indicating the direction of thought in the Faculty of the Institution at that time.

In March 1869 the Board of Education, after considerable discussion, requested the Principal to report to the Board such revision of the course of studies as might be deemed necessary. The course as revised, appears in the Superintendent's report for 1869, and in the catalogue of the school for 1868-9. It is appended to show the exact work of the school at the close of the first period of its existence. The “‘explanation of courses’’ is given only so far as professional study and instruction are concerned.

Course of Study.

PREPARATORY CLASS.

Practical Arithmetic Reading, Spelling. English Grammar, Synthetic, Geography. Penmanship.