The length of the day course in most private schools is eight months or less; in public schools it is four years.
The public school, if it believes in longer preparation for commercial work than most private schools give, should demonstrate the reason to parents and children.
Training for boys and girls should be different in content and in emphasis.
The usual course of study in commercial schools is suitable for girls and unsuitable for boys.
A girl needs, chiefly, specific training in some one line of work. She has a choice among stenography, bookkeeping, and machine operating.
A boy needs, chiefly, general education putting emphasis on writing, figuring, and spelling; general information; and the development of certain qualities and standards.
For students electing to go into commercial work, general education may be taught more effectively through the medium of commercial subjects than through academic ones.
Boys' training looks forward to both clerical work and business administration; but as clerical work is a preparation for business and is likely to occupy the first few years of wage earning, training should aim especially to meet the needs of clerical positions.
Clerical positions for boys cover a variety of work which cannot be definitely anticipated and cannot therefore be specifically trained for. But certain fundamental needs are common to all.
Most of the specialized training for boys should be given in night continuation classes.