Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/223



Volume XXIV SEPTEMBER, 1923 Number 3

The purpose of this paper is to present the develop- ment of the legal status of high schools in Oregon to the close of the administration of J. H. Ackerman as state superintendent of public instruction in 1910, and to point out the influence of legislation on the development of the secondary department of the public school system of the state. The subject divides itself into three parts which will be presented in the following order:

First, conditions and influences that prevented high school legislation previous to 1900;

Second, the development of public opinion favorable to high school legislation which finally resulted in the enactment of high school laws of 1901 ;

Third, the period of high school organization through constructive legislation, 1901 to 1910.

I. Adverse Conditions and Influences

The Oregon School Code adopted in 1878 contains the following provisions as Section 9 of Duties of Directors :