# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S435
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

“ee Report of Board for Higher Education ' 435

r ‘the.outcomes of these “experiments”? . Have any specific
emerged ‘which would clearly indicate either the feasibility
sandesirability of combining professional with general - lay
plying the answer to. these questions it should be realized at
utset.that these were not “experiments” in the scientific sense
6 word, No controls were established. No specific study was
‘to determine the status of the schools, their character, .their
yeness prior to their entry into general education. Nor is it
ible at this time to reconstruct a complete picture of their former
-Records and reports of many types are not in existence or
a form unsuitable for this purpose.

little time has also elapsed to make possible a full adaptation |
mthe.schools to,the new programs. They ‘have had scant: oppor-
nity to learn by experience how to cope with the involved problems.
intangible changes appear only after years of sub-surface
’ Wartime conditions have: introduced many disrupting in-
; ite of these difficulties some general observations are being
tted. They are not conclusive or final in their implications, but
are contributory to a correct appraisal of the situation.

General Education

Instruction of a group of students all having the. same life goal in

y.cértainly is much simpler and can be made far more effective
han instruction of mixed groups.. Course materials can be adapted
ujte readily to the specific needs of a homogeneous group without

necessary digressions to meet those having other vocations in
nd. This is all the more true in view of the great need of spiritual
;onditioning of the future pastors and teachers. While admitting that
the teaching of mixed groups can be effective, we believe that the
her is the ideal.

Under general education disciplinary problems have increased, It
; not possible to state definitely that this: increase should be at-
ributed solely to the introduction gf general education. Admissions
Policies, administrative control of the school, no less than the. abriormal
imes in which we live, may be equally important factors.

eological group has increased. Whether this is due to contacts with
the non-professional group or to the recognition of an oversupply of

ndidates during the ‘thirties or -to other factors is impossible to
jetermine. ‘

The effect of. the Presence of general students together with
theological or teacher-training students depends largely on the type of
Student admitted and the degree to which he adjusts himself to the
:: school’s traditions and ideals. At St. John’s College, Winfield, Kans.,
the: practice has worked out well for over forty years. At other

stitutions the results at times have been disquieting.