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Conant is something of a guidance man himself. Things have happened in U.S. public schools since his calm, compact "first report to interested citizens" began to circulate. With 224,824 copies in print. his book is the first education bestseller since the vastly more excited Why Johnny Can't Read (1955). "With the mantle of Dr. Conant around me," as one principal puts it, many a working schoolman has finally got the school board's green light for scores of reforms and experiments that promise to make the new year one of the richest in history. Items: CJ In Philadelphia, high schools will give superior seniors five major subjects instead of four. In Richmond, high schools will begin a five-year program of 23 courses. In the Peekskill (N.Y.) High School, a Conant-inspired inventory should become the best persuader yet for top students not trying for college (36% of the brightest girls. 28% of the boys). Pasadena, Calif, has started summer schools for students who wish to accelerate (a Conant recommendation), expanded guidance from one counselor per 500 students to one per 300. added an optional seventh period to the high school day. In