It ruled education for several centuries, but now even its methods of
discipline are losing their antique hold. The natural sciences, modern
history, and literature have assumed an equal place with the old
classical studies in college courses. Freed from old traditions and
prejudice, our common school is now grounded in the vernacular, in the
national history and literature, and in home geography and natural
science. Its roots go deep into native soil. _Secondly_, the door of
the common school has been thrown open to the new studies and they have
entered in a troop. History, drawing, natural science, modern
literature, and physical culture have been added to the old reading,
writing, and arithmetic. The common school was never so untrammeled.
It is free to absorb into its course the select materials of the best
studies. Teachers really enjoy more freedom in selecting and arranging
subjects and in introducing new things than they know how to make use
of. There is no one in high authority to check the reform spirit and
even local boards are often among the advocates of change. _In the
third place_, by multiplying studies, the common school course has
grown more complex and heterogeneous.
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