Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1882-01-05
MINNESOTA NEWS.
SCHOOLS OF MINNESOTA.


County Superintendent Proceed
hgs-Interssting Papers and Discussions.
Some thirty or forty county superintendent
OF schools, and others interested in education,
assembled at the state capitol on Tuesday last,
and we're called to order by Mr. D. L. Kiehle,
state superintendent of public instruction. A
temporary organization was effected by the
election of Mr.. Y. D. Eddy of Chissgo county,
as chairman and Mr. c. w. Smith,
OF Hennepin county as secretary After the
appointment of committees and other routine
business, Prof. Kiehle delivered his address.
which was listened to with earnest attention.
Mlthout including 81, 200 pupils in the graded
schools Of cities, he said there were 143 800
children scattered over this great state, over
broad prairies, along the rivers, in the timber.
children Of every nationality, the products Of
all kinds and grades of civilization extant
to be- inc eleve eRane3 b. aS Tno ought Ha
begged leave to call their attention to such in
terests as in his judgment most nerlted their
attention, naming first the matter of blanks,
reports, statistics and the like, which he termed
me bookkeeping department., asking them to
CONSIDER co whether the present system could not
pe improved IN the economy Of labor and re-
suits. The next important duty is the selec-
ton of teachers for tue schools, Suggesting that
while they should rather elevate than lower the
standard OF scholarship they ought to examine
more carefully the teaching ability Of appli-
cants He spoke at length upon training teach
have an institute every year; "a
vored Normal schools; called the atte1tion 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, paper on the examination
grading xUas NV
tendent George G. Tanner Of Steel county. The
reading of the paper was followed by an ami
mated discussion.
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 a candidates ability up
on which absolute reliance can be placed is
work in the school room
How Can Visitations be Made Most Profitable?
Fillmore county We should always rap at the
door-glye the teacher 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 oficious, for the object of
our visit is to see rather than to be seen. II is
mistake upon the part of the superintendent
to observe defects in school, and go away
without correcting them. tits his paid duty to
correct errors and introduce the best methods
OF instruction. This as well rs all other papers
were discussed at length, and the programme
was interspersed with fine music, vocal and
instrumental
paper was read on the question, How shall
the time of county schools be economical? by
Superintendent P German of Stearns coun-
ty, who answered it 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 ineti-
Gent teachers who are obstacles in the way of
all economy and of all progress in the schools,
and suggested that full supply of the best
teachers might be secured by taking the schools
out of politics, out Of the isms, and plac cling
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 it a
place among the professions, and pay it like
other professions, and we will then have teach
ers and not merely textbook drivers, who
hear Rotations 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 more teachers
capable of teaching these higher studies, and
delighting in the work of leading their people
up to something higher aud uobler than their
home life promised them. The paper ELECTED
quite a lively discussion which was partici-
patedin by Superintendent Roe, Brady, Smith
and Others
Superintendent Tanner, chairman on the
subject If the 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 TO be taught in our common
schools
Second-That legislation be seured at an
i. l. Is lnn ~ rs MR. ripnv,
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
Fourth-That private examination be dis
couraged.
Fifth-That superintendent has no legal
right to endorse a certificate issued by any su-
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. Kiehle,
discussions, etc.
On Thursday, Senator E; A; Wilson read a
'sndsn ey w Nort9 freservns?" Which pe 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
lntendents to the normal schools, and request
ed the superintendent in their visits through
out their districts to pick out bright and capa
bic boys and girls to send to the normal school
and nc, not send pupils who had no natural capa
Dllltes for the positions of teachers.
superintendent c. W. Smith of Hennen;n
county addressed the convention on the practi-
cabllliy and advantage Of grading country
President Folwell, Of the state university, ex-
planned the workings Of the new high school
az law and requested that superintendent let
on VINO were desiring toprepare themselves to