The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-03
INDIANA BOSS EDUCATORS.
COUNTY sUPERlnTENDeNTs MEET.
The Subjects of Visits to schools and
Teachers Taken UP-A Difference of
Opinion Concerning the Institute
An Interesting Session.

Without much of preface the county super
intendents began their annual meeting in the
agricultural rooms in the state house Wednesday
morning In the absence Of the regular secre-
tary, Mr.. c. W. Osborne, Of Union county,
NJ William NJ. Moss, of Greene county. editor
OF the Bloomfield Democrat. was chosen TO I'll
the vacancy.
The first business was the reading OF paper
by Alexander Knisely, superintendent of Whit
ley county; subiect--"School Visitation and
Inspection by the County superintendent"
The following is an extract from the paper:
1t seems fair to presume that the main OBJ
jects OF visiting and inspecting are to learn all
that can be learned about the condition OF the
work being done; TO encourage the commenda-
bic features and discourage the continuance Of
Objectionable features of the work; to give
directions as to work and see
that the directions are complied with.
a thorough knowledge can be obtained only
by frequent visits and careful study OF the work
IN all Of its bearings. in order that each school
Of the county may be visited number OF times
within the year, the visits must consume less
time than II but one visit is 10 be made within
the year. There are objections to short and
frequent visits, and desire to speak of one or
two OF them. The first Is the increased labor
and expense incurred IN increasing the num-
Der. it requires less labor and expense to make
100 than 800 visits per year; but viii the result
be the same in each case; Do not frequent
visits give the superintendent an opportunity
10 suggest changes and see that they are made ?
How many teachers will attempt to carry out
the suggestions OF q superintendent when they
know the superintendent will not call % see
that they do Ii IL IS better for managers OF
other work 10 make short, frequent visits
rather than longer and fewer, why not SO with
school superintendents? ] do not wish to be
understood as taking the position that
there are not cases and con-
ditions when the visit Of the superintendent
should be longer than the time suggested. A
second visit should be made within ten days of
the first and at least one more should be made
before the close of the school term. ! believe
more good viii result from 500 visits of quar-
ter of day each, than 100 visits OF day each.
Ii occurs 20 me that with due care III the ar
rangement o. the work, one man could do all
the office work required in the average county,
and make 300 visits of a fourth OF a day, and
write 2,00G letters to absent, irregular or tardy
pupils and their parents. This may be too
much 10 expect OF a superintendent; | am sure
II is il he visits for his health or pleasure. But
the time for such superintendent is past.
Inc position embraces stern realities which
demand all of mans strength and mental
powers, hence ! have placed the estimate with
IN reasonable limits. Nan cannot afford to
make fight for his position, neither can he
afford 10 superintend for the money or pleas
ure but be must work on account of his love
for humanity. Both teachers and pupils
should be questioned as 20 the plans work,
attendance, etc. Suggestions should be given
openly. Set the example for hard work and
exhort both teachers and pupils 70 follow"
This paper was discussed by many of the
supeuntendents, the discussion lasting until
noon. Immediately after noon the chairman,
Mr.. James A. NARROW Of Sullivan county an
nounceG the following standing committees:
On Oficers-H. D. Voris OF johnson county. !. "
Baruis Of Howard county J. a. hindman Of Black
ford county, T. r. Wadsworth Of Daviess county,
J. F. Morris OF Martin county.
On Form of Examination and Exemption License
" s Ellis OF Madison county, W. b. Flick Of
Marion county, ". II. Caulklns Of Tippecanoe
county.
After this announcement Supt. johnson of
Knox county read a paper, The Probable
Eiect.of Exempting Teachers From Examine
ton for License Under the New Law Mr.
johnson opposed 10 the new law, as were
also several other superintendent. But the
superintendent from Jackson county and supt
Flick of Marion vigorously upheld il, giving
their reasons in very explicit language.
The next paper, and the last OF the day, was
by Supt Cragun of Boone county on "Charac-
ter. Scope and Management of Work in Town
ship Institutes" lie very briefly set forth his
idea OF conducting the institutes and the ma
ture OF the work that should be done. Mr.. J.
II. ROthrOck vigorously assailed the institute
anu LuhlHtdlueu lhdl IL udu dNugS UGH ldll'
uTe, and the prospect not favorable for
any change. This assertion met with violent op-
position from most of the superintendents, but
the gentleman from White remained mistaken
IN his convictions. Supt Noris of johnson
took the most sensible view of the matter. He
thought the poor institutes were not the result
OF lack Of zeal on the part OF the teachers, but
that they all felt that the law worked a hard
ship upon them by compelling them to attend
such Institutes without remuneration, while
the county superintendent and township trus-
Tee were paid for attending and re-
CURED TO DO anything. He thought the new
law would have a very happy effect in securing
interest in the institute The roll-call
showed about seventy counties represented in
the convention.