The Committee has elsewhere expressed its judgment that in the seventh eighth and ninth grades mathematics should be a required subject. In the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades, however, the extent to which election of subjects is permitted will depend on so many factors of a general character that it seems unnecessary and inexpedient for the present Committee to urge a positive requirement beyond the minimum one for the seventh, eighth and ninth grades. The subject mnst, like others, stand or fall on its intrinsic merit or on the estimate of such merit by the authorities responsible at a given time and place. The Committee believes, nevertheless, that every standard high school should not merely offer courses in mathentatics for the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades, but should encourage a large proportion of the pupils in its general courses to take some or all of these courses. Apart from the intrinsic interest and great educational value of the study of mathematics, it will in general be necessary for those preparing to enter college or to engage in the numerous occupations involving the use of mathematics to do work beyond the minimum requirement.
