The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 44, July 1940 - April, 1941 Page: 117

TEXAS COLLECTION
By WALTER PRESCOTT WEBB
There is a great need for the teaching of Texas history in
the high schools and colleges of this state. The subject is lack-
ing neither in importance nor interest. There is, however, a
dearth of trained teachers, and if all schools should suddenly
put such a course in the curriculum and make it compulsory,
competent teachers could not be found. It is the duty of the
colleges and the universities to supply teachers and of the high
schools to demand them. At present Texas history is an elective
in high school and carries a half credit. It might well be a full
year's work. Whether Texas history should be required is per-
haps debatable; that it should receive more attention than it
does is not open to question.
Dr. Rupert N. Richardson will offer a course in Texas history
at The University of Texas during the session 1940-41. It is
the first time that such a course has been offered in the long
session. During the summer school advanced and graduate
courses on Texas were taught by Harbert Davenport, W. C.
Binkley, and Harold Schoen.
The Association hopes during the following year to achieve
at least a number of the following objectives:
1. To increase the membership to 2,500.
2. To increase the high school library membership to 500.
Every school library in the state should receive the Quarterly.
3. To continue organizing chapters of the Junior Historians
throughout the state, and to begin the publication of the Junior
Historian in which the writings of these young people may
appear.
4. To begin next June the Texas State Historical Tours. We
hope to send groups of high school boys and girls on tours of
the historic places in Texas. We believe that young people who
make these tours will thus gain a knowledge of this state which
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