The Russellville Democrat., 1890-07-03

Baird moved the adoption of said re. port as read. After some discussion by R. B. Wilson, J. H. Fry and oth- CTS, the report was unanimously adopted, as follows:
 REPORT
 OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUcATIoN,M MADE
 AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
 STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, AT
 PINE BLUFF, JUNE, 1889.
 The pubic school system is the most benlficent organization of mod ern times. Its scope, it's aim is to fit man for the various duties of life. Its discipline makes man law-abid- ing, punctual, industrious, pains talk ing, patient and persistent. These are the virtues that enter promi nently into the business of life. These are the qualities that make life sue cessful, aud successful life is nearly, if not quite always, virtuous. On the intellectual side the public school system in its ordinary work aims to give, and gives adequate training for all the purposes and duties of . good citizen. In it's higher aims it should furnish all the education and culture that the intellectual man could require. It aims not only to pre- serve and to transmit to posterity the existing acquisitions of past gen erations, but t. enlarge and expand the whole field of human knowledge. It aims, it might be sad in word. to satisfy and equip all tue moral and intellectual aspirations of the human race. The higher education elevates, ennobles and dignifies the lower. It saves the secondary from degenerat- ing into pauper education.
 Your committee has had under consideration the following questions of public policy, requiring in some cases legislationl
 First-We think that county su- pervislon ought to be adopted. We, as teachers, must insist on 1t that education in Arkansas shall be brought up to the highest stage of efficiency. County supervision is an essential part of the system and prevails in nearly all the States of the Union, and Arkansas must not be inferior to other States. Every teacher in the State is hereby urged to press this subject on the attention of the community Tn which he lives, to the end that legislators may come from the people with their commis- slon and sanction to do this lmpor- tant thing.
 As matters stand at present, the school director and county examiner are central figures in the system. We think that there are too many school districts, hence too many in efficient directors. Ifthere were few CT directors there would be fewer opportunities for favoritism. We be- lieve that, Tn many cases, they are hopelessly inefficient, or sometimes even worse.
 The business of the directors and of the County Examiner is to secure good teachers, or the best that can be had under the circumstances. For the teacher IS the school.
 LICENSING TEACHERS.
 We think State licenses should be issued by the State Superintendent to such persons only as have passed an examination prescribed and con ducted by board of examiners ap pointed by law, and that this board should have its examinations con iucted in the several counties in the presence of and under the supervis. lon of the County Examiner. The work in every case being prescribed by the board, and finally examined md approved by them. No person should hold State license who has | lot taught two years successfully.
 We think that the County Exam ner should receive no fees, but that le should receive salary fixed by he County court. Ali teachers fees hould be paid to the County Treas Irer and kept by him as B separate und to be paid as a salary to the County Examiner. All examiners hould be required 10 keep on file he examination on which every Il ense is based, and the time which he examination papers should be ept ought to be concurrent with the inc for which the license is issued. 10 irstgrade license ought to be ssued to a novice or stranger who , not duly recommended. Success al teaching for one year ought to be squired of every one before giving first grade license.
 We believe that every high school ] the State ought to have class in he art of teaching. While we thlnk nat this should be permanent as we do not think it lould take the place of the normal shool. We regard the normal school } a necessary part of the syelem 1d sooner or later it is bound to be , 
 HIGHER EDUCATION. l We think tue primary object oflH