Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-07-17
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW.
CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL LAWS AND
BOARDS OF EXAMINES.

repeated or changed, or ADDED 10 or
tempered with by succeeding legisla-
lures in almost every conceivable
manner, and it is possible that II sum-
mary of the history of school legisla-
ton during the past ten years may be
of interest at the present time.
TIE TOWNSHIP SYSTEM.
Previous to July LIST, 1881, our
schools were run on what was termed
the township plan. Each township
had entire control of its own schools
and there was no cooperation between
the various townships. Supervision
was performed by a township eXamin-
er. This official was elected by the
electors of the township mt annual
township elections, and it became his
duty to examine teachers and to visit
schools and direct the methods of
teaching employed therein. In many
instances the person thus elected had
never taught school, had had nothing
to do with educational work, and
knew nothing of some of the branches
i'll which he was supposed To examine
teachers. 1t is apparent that such an
examiner could not direct guide and
assist q teacher in adopting proper
methods of study and management of
schools. Still another radical defect
consisted in an entire lack of co-Opera-
ton between the various townships.
THE COUNTY BOARD.
BY statute of 1891, it became the du-
ty of the township inspectors TO elect
the examiners, and these elected one
of their members secretary.
This board was required to meet at
stated times, 10 conduct examinations
To,
nj supervision Of schools was left with
the township inspectors, except in
special cases.
COUNTY SUPERVISION.
Experience had taught that much
more than on examination is necessary
in order TO determine whether or not
an applicant is qualified to teach.
There are those who may be able 20
write q fine set OF papers and answer
correctly the most searching questions,
and yet they are wholly unit to man.
age a school. No examiner can deter
minc whether or not an applicant has
sound Judgment good common sense
and the ability TO govern well from
such an examination.
These facts make it absolutely inn
pcrGtivc that the examining board shall
'
and an opportunity To examine the
work OF teacher in management,
methods and discipline. For these
reasons the legislature Of 1857 so
changed thc law as TO provide tor the
sEcHGraBE oTT.E COUNTY board.
This officer wa given general super
vision of the schools was required to
visit each district ut least once each
year; and To counsel with teachers
and officers i'm relation TO the methods
employed and the character of the
work done
Under the efficient management Of
Mr. Law and other members of the
board this needed change has been
we'll accomplished in this county.
Probably at no time in the history of
the county has there been 50 much in
tcrcst taken i'm schools and school
work as during the past two years.
During that time Mr.. Law has estab-
lished system for securing monthly
reports from teachers: has had adopt
ed general course of study; has fur
nished plan for classifying pupils so
that they are not required to go over
the work again and again without adj
yancement; but are regularly promOt-
ed at the close of the terms.
In addition 60 this Il regular series OF
examinations has been established and
the pupils throughout the county are
taking wonderful interest in them.
BY this means the secretary has been
able to determine Just what the pupils
are doing, for he has examined every
paper that these pupils have written
at the local examinations and in addi-
ton has given close attention to the
work done at the general examination
for graduation from the common
school course.
This grand work, together with GER
tificates of promotion and diplomas of
graduation, has created an interest
among the pupils of our country
schools heretofore unknown, and has
brought the county into prominence
throughout the state as being one of
the most progressive in educational
matters.
The work above mentioned has been
n matter of investigation and comment
by the best educators of the state and
has received the hearty endorsement
of the state superintendent of public
instruction; and, in addition, it has
been highly recommended rs Il model
plan.
In addition to this Mr.. Laws vigor-
Gus policy, energy and ability has ut
tracted the attention of the state de-
partment, so that he has been repeat
edly called upon to take part in edu-
cational work at institutes in various
parts of the state, but he has seen fit
To reject flattering offers and to devote
his time and energy TO our own work.
THE KEW LAW.
Notwithstanding the fact that our
schools appeared to be doing very well
under the law az it has existed since
1887, the present legislature has seen
fit To effect IA change that may or may
not result in checking the progress
that has been made.
Under this provision the election IS
now made by the Board of Supervis
ors. The new board is composed of
three members as under the ola law
and the supervising member is termed
county commissioner of schools.
His duties are identical with those of
the secretary under the old law and
all the general provisions pertaining to
the duties of the office OF the commits
IL. IN L