Evening journal., 1889-01-25
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The First Annual Report Of the Presioen'
of rhe state Board Of Education Excel
Lent Recommendations.

STAFF (7orreenondence Of EVENING JOURNAL
DovrR Del. Jan. 25.-The report Of
the President OF the State Board of Edu-
cation A. n Raub was presented TO the
Senate today and 500 copies ordered
printed. The report Is very voluminous
and is the best and most comprehensive
that has been presented under the pres
ent system.
In regard to the schools. he said that
they were in better condition than ever
before. The superintendent had per
formed their duties carefully and faith
fully. They have granted certificates,
visited an the schools as requested by
law. held successful teachers institutes.
They have collected from all the deposit
taries al the school books and sold them
according to law. The Institutes, the
report states, have been very successful,
hut could be made much better
if the appropriation could be increased
about 800 or $3.50 year, AT present
the superintendents are compelled TO
conduct an evening course of lectures, at
which small admission fee is charged,
in order to cover the expenses.
The president thinks that the term OF
the Office Of county superintendent IS TOO
short 1t should be at least two years, or
better, like the other state officers, four
wears These officers should have the
same qualifications as teachers are com
PEELED to show
COUNTY INSTITUTES.
In general the work of the institutes
have been of very practical character
and those who have failed TO receive any
benefit. must have failed either because
they were not in teaching frame Of
mind or there is nothing practical in
them The law requires all the teachers
to attend But there is no penalty at
fached for non-attendance. Some Of the
teachers defy the law and thus make It
imperative In order that all should be re-
ouired to attend | suggest that the
county superintendent be required to
certify to the clerk Of the district the at.
tendance Of teachers at the institutes and
for each days absence the teacher so alb
senting herself to forfeit one days pay.
CERTIFICATES.
The distinction between second and
third grade certificates is too great, the
Law only requiring go per cent for third
grade and 80 per cent. for the second
grade, the second grade being for two
years and third for one The same ability
as is required to obtain second grade
certificate would in most states give a
LIS ttLlAnIAbts iAEAA1 H1A VIM RAbAN
to~be sufficient for the second grade.
There are many reasons why a person
perfectly competent to win first grade
certificate lose it on examination day for
some such reason as slight indisposition
or nervousness on examination day, ner-
vous disturbance or Indigestion on the
past of the examiner. In the matter OF
first grade certificates the law is in Sc
rious confusion They are good only In
one county, though granted by the State
Board They should be good in all parts
of the state and made renewable at expi-
ration. upon the endorsement of the
county superintendent, for three years
more
There should be some arrangements
made for life certificates. AS a sugges-
ton, they should be granted to holders of
first grade certificates after fixed period
of years. They would be strong induce.
ments to make teaching life work.
believe also in the matter Of life certih'
Gates reciprocacy between the states
Let Certificate granted here be good IN
all parts Of the Union. Let Delaware
take the mititive in this matter
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
Compulsory education / believe to b.
imperative and It is undemocratic tC
recommend It. II may work in large
cities where strong constabulary forces
support Il, but will never do in small
cities.
HUNDRED SYSTEM.
The report strongly advocates the
hundred system, instead of the present
districts. The schools would be greatly
benefited by making each hundred
district with from three to five trustees
This would in measure interfere witt
the present incorporationi Districts &
overcome that it might be well to make
borough districts out of the hundreds
II the hundred system should be adopted
it would be possible to establish higl
schools as a preliminary education fol
business pursuits.
FREE TEXT BOOKS
The report strongly urges the aboli
ton of our present system of the pupil
paying for text books 1t says that the'
should be purchased free, just the saml
as maps, charts etc, are. As the ad
vantages Of the system, he names tn
following: Cheaper supply larger at
tendance. provides books for children
not able to pay il secures classification
obliterates class distinction; induce
neatness, as pupils viii take better car
of the property of the state than the
viii of their own Against these man,
advantages there are only two objec
tions, pride OF individual ownership an
the danger Of contagious diseases.
INCORPORATED SCHOOL BOARDS
There would be a much better col
dition Of affairs If these were not in e,
istance. They interfere with the wor
of superintendent. They are in mos
cases under no supervision except IL
local commissioners. The teachers al
exempt from examination unless the loo
boards decide to the contrary. Tn
feature destroys the unity Of our syster
1t would be far better to abolish them .
and adopt the hundred system.
NORMAL. TRAINING.
The advantages Of this is inestimabl
A school to graduate persons for teac
ing, the diploma Of which would be equ
TO a life certificate, would do much
make teaching a profession. 9th
states have schools of this kind and mar
excellent teachers have been lost TO th
state by our citizens attending the
schools and remaining in the states afte
wards Normal schools induce high
education. The ablest teachers are tho
who came up through the State Norm
schools.
DELAWARE COLLEGE.
This institution is in fair way to
good work and win a place among t
colleges of the land. The course of stu