The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-27
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS
A Large Attendance of Distinguished
Educators at the State Convention,
An Interesting Address by Professor Tar
bell Concerning the school Interests
Other Papers and Business.

AheTe were sl&ty-slx county superintendents
in attendance at the convention which met at
Y. NJ. c. A. lecture-room yesterday, besides a
lumber of the prominent educators of the State,
and it was the most interesting meeting which
has been held since the association was organ
lied. In the preliminary organization OF the
convention, after it was called to order by B. It.
johnson, of Benton, the president, NJ. A. Mess,
of Frankfort, was elected secretary, and Jerry
A. Hilligass, of Allen, treasurer. In his inaugu-
raj address the president made a few remarks
on the present needs of the schools, and sug-
gested matters which the convention should not
neglect to act upon. The report of the
on a standard for graduation
from the common schools was presented
and was the principal feature of the morning
session. The report recommended the appoint
ment of a of five in addition to the
State superintendent and the members of the
State Board of Education, to prepare questions
for the examination in the common-schoo
branches of the candidates for graduation. The
minimum per cent. for graduation was fixed at an
average of rs, while in no branch should it fall
below 80. Certificates or diplomas shall be is
sued by county superintendents, and the gradu-
ates will he required to participate in the exer-
cises of the county institute in the year of their
graduation. After a prolonged discussion the
report was adopted.
"Our Progress was the subject of an address
by William II. Ernst, of Wells county, in which
he spoke particularly of the progress which had
been made by the county superintendent In In
diana during the last two years.
AT the afternoon session a paper on "The du-
ties and difficulties of a new county superin-
tendent" was read by L. P. Harlan, Of this
county, and a discussion of the subject was
opened by Calvin Moore, of st. Joseph county.
A few moments were devoted to receiving
questions from new county superintendent.
PROF. TARBELL's ADDREss.
The important feature of the session, however,
was a paper read by Prof. H.. S. Tarbell, superin-
tendent OF the city schools, giving the sugges-
tions of the State Board OF Education on the
graduation of licenses under the new law. In his
preliminary remarks Prof. Tarbell said: THE
changes in the problem of issuance and grading
of certificates in the new law are important
ones, and may result in great
harm to the school interests, or be
made the means of securing important benefits.
as they may be iudiciOusly or otherwise applied.
= = < The evident purpose of the trainers of
ing TO weigh largely in determining the issu-
ance of certificates; to make a broader distinc-
ton than hitherto between the several grades
of teachers; to cut off from the foot of the lists
many of the poorest teachers; to relieve pro-
g~rehsive, capable teachers from the drudgery OF
frequent examinations; to make for the more
competent teachers a standard uniform through
out The STATE, thereby securing at length a
greater uniformity in all the work Of examina-
tiOns, and finally to emphasize the value OF pro-
fessional attachments IN our teachers.
The recommendations Of the State Board OF
Education. Mr.. Tarbel said, were "that licenses
for SIX and twelve months be issued upon the
same conditions as heretofore; that licenses for
twenty-fOur months be issued to those gaming
an average of 80 per cent. in the ten items CON
aiStiDu of fhR eight legal branches theory and
success, and not falling below rs per cent. in
any one Of them; that licenses for thirty-siX
months be issued for a general average of 80
per cent, with a minimum of 80 per cent. in the
eight branches and OF 80 per cent. in theory and
su ~eess.
'This makes the general averages required in
each of the four grades the same as have be-
come familiar by some years of usage, and bear
the sanction of the State convention OF county
superintendent. AS the eighteen months Ii
cense has been extended to twenty-t0ur months,
the minimum on which it can be granted has
been increased from 20 per cent. to rs per cent.
and the item, success, has been included in the
list. As the license for twenty-four months has
been extended to thirty-six months, its minimum
has been placed at 80 per cent. instead of rs per
cent, in the eight legal branches, and for the
sake of giving prominence TO the professional
element in It's basis. the minimum in theory and
success has been placed at 80 per cent"
In commenting upon the qualifications indis-
pensIbly essential to the most successful teach
ing, Mr.. Tarbell said:
ave ought, at least, to hold before the teachers
their obligations TO make themselves familiar
VII the DtHI tuOuSHbb upon luGlI pTUltBSlOu.
Some knowledge of the human mind; some idea
of its development through the successive stages
Of school life; some idea of how the several
school studies affect the mind, and what pro-
cesses are suitable at one stage of development
and unsuitable at Others; some study OF motives
and the means of affecting them favorably;
some idea of the the teachers relation to his
profession, to his pupils, his patrons, his supe-
riOrs, his rights and obligations should by all
means be insisted on"
The address of Professor Tarbell was discussed
al considerable length. Four additional MEM
beers of The committee, Superintendents Hill, of
Dearborn; Sweeney, of DUBOIS; Mcpherson, of
Wayne, and Wilson, of Henry, were appointed,
with instructions to make another report at the
session this morning.
The members of the association were rendered
a banquet at the Bates House last night.
To-DAY's PROGRAMME.
The session will close this afternoon. The pro-
gramme embraces an address on "What the Leg
~islature should Do for the County Superintend-
ency )" by William j. Hawk, OF Jay county; "Our
County School System" by John W. Holcombe;
"The superintendent Duty to His Teachers"
by George p. Brown, president of the State
Normal School, and in conclusion the election of
officers for the next year and the transaction of
miscellaneous business.
Ex-Union Soldiers.
The following call. signed by eiohty-six ex-