Conant Reports Few High Schools Offer Enough Work, Special Help

Only eight of 55 high schools visited by James Bryant Conant, president emeritus, pass his test for a "good comprehensive school." After two years of study financed by a Carnegie Corporation grant, Conant has released "sneak previews" of his report on "The American High School Today," to be published in book form Jan. 28.

"The academically talented student," Conant found, "is not being sufficiently challenged, does not work hard enough, and his program of academic subjects is not of sufficient range."

He described the "comprehensive" school as one which educates "all the youth living in a town, city, or district," whether they seek job training or college preparation. Conant said that the 21,000 high schools in the country should be pared down to 9000, by eliminating small schools. He added "A high school must have a graduating class of at least 100 to function adequately."

Among the educator's recommendations was to deemphasize class rank as an important factor in college admission, so that bright students would not elect easy courses for high grades. For "highly-gifted" students, Conant suggested special work, a tutor, and college-level work as seniors. He recommended a tuition-free summer school operated by all school boards for ambitious students as well as deficient pupils.

He also recommended 15 hours of homework each week for talented students and less emphasis on time-consuming outside activities.