Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-28
EDUCATIONAL.
The Convention Of School Superintend-
ents Concludes Its Session.
THE GRADED SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Some Of the Plans by Which 1t May Be
Improved.
STATE EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION.
Letters from Gen. Sibley and Hon.
j. B. Wakefleld-Rev. Mr.. Hutch.
ms Address.


The adjourned meeting of the conven-
ton of the county superintendent OF
school of the state of Minnesota was called
to order at $50 o'clock yesterday morning
in Market hall. Mr.. o. M. Lord presided
and Mr.. A. E. Engstrom of6ciated as
scribe. The session was opened with
prayer by Prof. Kiehle, after which the
roll was called. there being only a moder-
ate attendance.
In addition to those present at the open
ing session Tuesday night, as published
in yesterdays GLOBE, were the following
who appeared for the first time yesterday
Geo. D. Goodrich, Anoka; j. A. Sem, Ben
ton; G. C. Tanner, Steele; A. NJ. Utter,
Swift; A. j. Greer, Wabashaw;G Geo. NJ. John
son, Watonwan; D. McCauley, Wilkin.
The chair appointed Superintendent
Cook, Richards and Briggs as committee
on nominations to report at the afternoon.
The convention then proceeded to take
up the programme as published in yeste:-
days GLOBE, the first subject being
"aRADINa THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM"
Superintendent Smith, of Hennepin
county, was called upon to address the
convention, the time being limited to ono
hour. In commencing his remarks he
said that it was matter for surprise that
there HAD not been regularly organized
plan by which to conduct the work of COM
mon schools; the deficiency of system was
more sensibly felt in the country schools.
The speaker had felt heart-sick at the
lack of organization; for three years he
had endeavored to bring harmony out of
chaos illustrations wereigiven of where
work had been conducted according to
the hobby of teacher or superintendent;
there should be well organized plans in
all schools and particularly in the scatter
ed districts.
Reference was then made to the plan
applied by the speaker in his county, which
he said was not new except in some coun-
try districts, and the first requisite was a
definite course of studies, strictly adhered
to-; superintendent should have full pow
or to lay out, guide and direct the work;
the plan should be simple enough to
come within the mental scope
of the youngest teacher.
In taking up course of studies the ele-
ment of time could not be we'll considered
for the reason that the length of time
shoald be secondary to thoroughness of
delail and completeness Of any branch nm
dertaken.
In the second place there should be in
ducements for the pupils to complete the
course; what was true in the colleges
would hold good in the third grade, or the
lower grades in the schools; the pupils in
this grade took quite as much interest in
passing a good examination as did the
collegian in receiving his parchment; for
this reason it would be we'll to stimulate
the ambition and interest of the pu-
pills by offering an inducement
by diplomas or other awards.
What was wanted was q thoroughly de-
veloped and systematized plan on which
to conduct the work; the plan should be
endorsed by the state and be approved by
the state educational institutions.
Supt. Lsyens spoke in favor of having
expressions of views from corresponding
members.
Mr.. y. j. Roilenson, of Chippewa,
thought that :. uniform system would not
be successful III all the counties; he did
not tnilk II was time to insti-
tute military drill in school
work, ne vas in favor Of
letting each eacher employ his or her own
method; where there Was SO much irregu-
larits IL attenaa,.ee IL would be difficult to
condlct iile woTK on any one plan. This
scheme might Work the cities, but he
did not think 1t would 20 successful in the
country districts. He did not think a di-
ploma made the man; this country had
quite enough OF The diploma business.
Superintendent Smith here inquired of
the speaker II 30 did not suppose it would
be we'll 10 nave pian for the guidance Of
young teacheca
Mr.. Roiien5on replied that he thought it
would.
superintendent iperry, of'Dodge coun-
ty, put few peIt1nenb questions.
Superlntendtet Canning then followed
with quite Ill a2.e aad spirited address.
He thought thai So psrintendent Smith en-
joyed advantage n carrying out his work
not to be had oE MS less fortunate broth
ers. He outlined the work as in vogue in
Otter Tail county, snd in general way he
thought that icregalarity of attendance
was the chief obstacle to the graded system;
this was particularly felt in the out of the
way districts; 1T was sometimes almost inn
possible to have satisfactory results, where
the attendance was so irregular.
President Allen, of st. Cloud, offered a
few timely remarks apropos of
The EXHIBIT OF DRAWINGS
from ungrade3 schools. The credit was
due, he SAID, TO oupt. Smith, and it was
unique and wonderful in the range OF
school exhibits. The speaker could not
see why such fine results should be con-
fined to Hennepin county. If such won
derful results could be achieved by the
graded system in one place, he thought il
could be made TO produce similar good
results elsewhere. The idea of politics
should be entirely eliminate in the selec-