Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1882-01-12

standard of scholarship they ought to examine
more carefully the teaching ability Of appi
cants. He spoke at length upon training teach;
s Seys h hoped ns sKaFy county would "a
vored Normal schools; called the attention of
the county superintendent to the necessity to
keep an oversight over the school house and
grounds, and the consideration of plans for
improving their condition in regard to ventil-
alton and cleanliness. etc.
On Wednesday, a paper on the examination
and grading OF teachers was read by Superin-
tendent George @. Tanner of Steel county. The
reading of the paper was followed by an ami
mated discussion.
A very interesting and instructive paper
was read by Superintendent D. M. Lord of
Winona county, on the subject Of How Shall
We Improve Our Teachers?
The only sure test of q candidates ability up
on which absolute reliance can be placed is
work in the school room.
How Can Visitations be Made Most Profitable?
was read by superintendent John Brady of
Fillmore county. We should always rap at the
door-give the teacher a warm shake of the
hand, and detain her a moment in friendly con-
versation. This will give her confidence to go
on with her work, and may save her much en-
barrassment It is not advisable for us to make
ourselves too officious, for the object of
our visit is to see rather than to be seen. Il is
mistake upon the part of the superintendent
dWHy
without correcting chem. Tits his paid duty to
correct errors and introduce the best methods
of instruction. This as well as all other papers
were discussed at length, and the programme
was interspersed with fine music, vocal and
instrumental
A paper was read on the question, How shall
the time of county schools be economical? by
ty, who answered il by saying that the time
could be economical when the best results for
which schools are established are attained. He
proceeded to Illustrate different types of inef-
Gent teachers who are obstacles in the way of
all economy and of all progress in the schools,
and suggested that a full supply Of the best
teachers might be secured by taking the schools
out Of politics, out of the isms, and placing
them under the management of purely business
principles, and making the wages Of the teacher
commensurate with his work.
The nextpaper on the subject OF higher ed
ucation in our common schools was read by
Superintendent E. A. Hendrickson Of Ramsey
county. Make teaching profession, give ita
place among the professions, and pay 1t like
other professions, and we will then have teach
ers and not merely textbook drivers who
hear recitatons during school hours and pre-
pare themselves for other work when they
should be preparing their lessons for the NOR
row. Then we should have moro teachers
capable of teaching these higher studies, and
delighting in the work of leading their people
up to something higher and nobler than their
home life promised them. The paper ELECTED
quite lively discussion, which was partici-
patedin by Superintendent Roe, Brady, Smith
and others.
Superintendent Tanner, chairman on the
subject Of tho examination and grading Of
teachers made report recommending:
First-That questions be issued semi-annu-
ally by the state superintendent in the several
branches required 10 be taught in our common
schools.
second-That legislation DO seured at an
early day to add to the list of studies now in
Guided in the second grade, physiology, civil
government and elementary algebra, so that the
lines between the second and third grades may
be more marked.
Third-That no certificate Of any grade be
granted to candidates under seventeen years of
age, and that legislation be secured to this end
as soon as practicable
couraged.
Fifth-That superintendent has no legal
right to endorse certificate issued by any SUI
perintendent other than himself.
The report of the committee was, after some
discussion, adopted. The rest Of the day WAS
spent in answering questions by Prof. Klehle,
discussions, etc.
On Thursday Senator H. A. Wilson read
paper on the subject. els the County Superin-
tendency Worth Preserving?" which was
strongly on the affirmative side of the question.
The great improvement in all departments of
our public schools within the last decade and
their results are principally due to the efforts
Of the county and city superintendent.
Prof. Soaring of the state normal school at
Mankato spoke of the relation of county super
intendents to the normal schools, and request
ed the superintendents in their visits through
out their districts to pick out bright and capa-
bic boys and girls to send to the normal school
and not send pupils who had no natural capar
biities for the positions of teachers.
Superintendent @. W. Smith of Hennepin
county addressed the convention on the praci-
cablilty and advantage Of grading country
schools.
President Folwell, Of the state university, ex-
planned the workings of the new high school
aid law and requested that superintendent let
all who were desiring to prepare themselves to
enter college know of the advantages offered
by high schools which have taken aid under
the law.
Superintendent George F. Oowing Of Otter
Tail county read an interesting and practical
and Records be Improved? Suggesting various
changes from the form now in USE
The next paper was on the formation Of
new districts, and was read by Superln fendent
W. d. Sanders Of Douglas county, VINO pointed
out the defects of the present, the principal one
of which was the Absence of any maximum or
minimum in respect to the size OF the dlstr1cts,
and the lack Of any maximum or minimum ~
regard to the amount Of taxable property.
Superintendent A. D. Roe, Of Washington
county, was on the programme for paper On !.
GLOW Shall the Office Of County superintend-
ent Become Most Eficientp" He spoke OF the
difficulty in finding good teachers, and claimed AZ
that the superintendent should have the dis
Cretion Of changing them from higher %