The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-11-28
PROPOSED SCHOOL LAWS.
Uniformity in Text Books KOt Considered De.
~ Sirabk.

When the state teachers association Of
Washington was formed last April, COM
mIttee, consisting Of Superintendent Julia
E. Kennedy Of this city, Professor Fol-
lensbee Of Tacoma, Mrs. Hall Of Olympia,
and Professor o. 8. Jones Of this city,
was appointed to revise the school law
and make suggestions to the Legislature in
regard to Il.
The committee has been hard at work
since their appointment, having held two
meetings. Another meeting, at which the
work Of the committee will be completed,
will be held at Olympia on Thursday
next. The meeting will undoubtedly last
several days.
An attempt will be made to change the
school law very radically on several
points, as well as to adopt q number Of
new ideas.
One point that an attempt will be made
to incorporate in the new law Is that Of
giving the power Of selecting school books
to the city boards Of cities above acerta!n
population-say 10000. At present there
Is an uniformity Of books all through the
country. It is very obvious, however,
that in a great many instances the books
used In country schools are not at all
adapted to the city schools. The law, II
passed, will call for the same limitation as
to time Of changing books as at present
five years. OF course, having an uni
formity Of books throughout the country
would be advantageous to pupils moving
from the city TO the country. or from the
country to the city, but there are com
paratively few such cases.
Another point that this committee has
in mind is the establishment Of two nor
NAL schools in the new state, one east Of
the mountains and the other west.
The normal school has become Of late
years the acknowledged educational insti-
tuition for teachers in the country, in many
places q normal school diploma being re-
Quired ~ evidence Of teachers qualifica-
tons. There are q great many young
ladies In this territory who would make
good teachers had they the facilities for
procuring proper education for this work.
It would be about as great folly however,
TO place green girl in charge Of room
full Of innocent children as il would be to
put q bull in q crockery store. Teachers
are coming here from the east and secur-
ing situations by reason Of the superior
advantages they have had for citing
themselves for teaching. This matter will
be brought before the legislature, and
strong effort made 10 secure the passage
Of an act calling for the establishment Of
such schools.
An attempt will also be made to give
the school boards Of cities having high
schools authority TO form a normal class
In such institutions.
Another point 10 be worked for Is that Of
having a classical course in the high
schools Of the state. At present gradu-
ate Of the high school Is not prepared for
taking q collegiate course by reason Of
there being no classical course In the high
school. II is not the idea TO make these
branches Of study compulsory, but have
Il 80 arranged that the pupils may take
them when so desired.
Besides the above, there are q number
Of minor points that strong efforts will be
made to change, as at present they are
thought 10 be detrimental to the best In
terests Of the public schools. s.--Seattle Press.