REFORMING ENGLISH A

A month ago Professor Bliss Perry announced that beginning with next fall, only those men who had failed to pass the comprehensive examination in English with a grade of 70 or above would be required to take English A. The further change announced yesterday, which goes into effect immediately, permits of specialization to all those who have averaged C during the first half year. Special sections have been organized, for instance, in debating, short story writing, and playwrighting.

Taken together, these reforms are a significant commentary upon Professor Bliss Perry's conduct of English A during the short period that he has dealt with the difficult problem of Freshman English. Just as the first innovation will limit the membership of this course to those who have failed to obtain a mastery over simple English expressions in school, so the second will transform its conduct, so far as it appears possible within the narrow limits of its field, into a course which will have a more justifiable place on a college curriculum than it has had in the past.