Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-30

have built up the medical profession, law
yers that of the law, and teachers can do
the same by study and work in perfecting
system of'~records and course of study
in the common schools.
Supt. A. J. Greer of Wabashaw county
led the discussion, saying he should judge
from some remark of the speaker that
the district schools of our State were in
a deplorable condition, but, mentioning
instances of comparison, he concluded
that our country schools would compare
very favorably with those of other States.
The question of records the speak
er antagonized, saying more teachers filled
early graves by spending time over the
records than the benefits would compen-
safe for. He thought instead of elabor-
ate plans of instruction and the building
,of fine school houses, the wisest course
would be the improvement of the
teachers
Mr.. Niles then spoke regarding the ad-
visibility of a systematic course of study,
giving his experience in the trial of one
promulgated by himself, which he was
sorry to say had not been complete sue
cess. The speakers idea was that
united effort must be made-the move
ment must be under the direction of the
State superintendent, who would advise
county superintendent, and they explain
ing, the teachers in their territory would
carry out the plan.
Prof. j. c. Bryant advocated the idea
of a uniform system of records, and
thought the blanks should be furnished
by the State, and suggested that com
mittee of superintendents should be ap-
pointed to agree on form of blank.
Superintendent Burt said he did not
think it could be done. as all the superin-
tendents of the State would have to be
put on the committee, and then no two
would agree. If itcould be done he would
like to see the idea consummated.
Mr.. G. 8. Bryant contended that
pupils can not be educated in un-
graded schools: the schools must be
graded, and we want the record Dako-
ia is ahead of us in having uniform rec
ord; we can easily have one, and must
come to it sooner or later. I have visited
schools all through the State and found
hardly any records.
Prof. Gilbert, of Winona, thought that
records are kept in most schools--he
knew 1t was kept in his school, one was
kept in Mankato and one IN st. Peter
Mr.. Bryant (interrupting)-I was secre-
tarY of the school board at St. Peter
"a-many years ago" and no record was
kept then except the financial record. If
there is one used there now it must be
late invention.
Prof. Gilbert reiterated his assertion
that one was now kept, and the subject
was gracefully dropped by both partici-
pants on a motion to refer the whole
matter to committee consisting of the
State superintendent and four county
superintendents, on courses of study in
the common schools
A motion of Prof. Engstrom to appoint
a committee of five superintendents on
High school record was carried.
After music Supt. B. F. Wright, of st.
Paul, was introduced, who read a paper
on the "Hindrances to our School Sys-
tem," saying that chief among the
hindrances to the graded system is the
penchant for routine; attempt to do too
much has hindered the pro-
gression of our schools-in attempting
to teach too much we shall fail to
teach enough; high school courses are
often adorned with high-sounding stud
les; the introduction of drawing and
music is not essential to one preparing
for the realities and struggles of life: A
drawback to the schools is the lack of ap-
think that teaching must be learned; the
example teacher sets cannot help but
be salutary, and the idea that all vice
and Wickedness noticed in children must
be attributed to the school room is de-
MED; the school cannot take the place of
the home and church; because school in
fluence cannot reach the hearts of all
pupils they must not be stigmatized as
failures, and in conclusion the speaker
said our system of public education is
continually growing, and when the State
shall educate its own citizens, teachers
as well as pupils, it will fully meet the
expectations of the friends of education.
Prof. B. F. Knerr of Minneapolis said
this is an age of skepticism, especially as
applied to our literary opponents, but
they will have a hard time to make the
world believe that the old log school
house of fifty years ago is better than our
higher and graded schools of to-day. The
only fault the speaker had to find with
the system of the present day was the
young and inexperienced female teachers,
who take no interest in education, and
thought if compensation was raised the
educational grade would be raised ac-
cordingly.
After music the president announced
the COMMITTEES called for in the foregoing
motions, as follows:
On High School Record-Messrs Eng
strom, ]. G. Bryant, Wells, Knerr and
Campbell.
On Course of Study in Common Schools
-Supt. Burt and Messrs. Lord, Cowan,
Greer and Hancock.
Adjourned to 7:3O P, NJ