Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1891-04-09
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW.
PART ONE.

Probably no law enacted at the last
session of our legislature, will have as
great an influence in shaping the near
future OF our State as the School Law
framed by Supt Salmon. Those ac-
quainted with our school Law as it mas ex-
listed ;or number of years, will realize
the great importance of the passage of a
law 10 straighten out the many entaugle-
and o bungling executive had twisted the
school laws OF the State. The Consti-
tufional Convention considered this mat
Ter Of SO great importance that it made
speeinl provi sion for the passage of "a
uniform school law" by the legislature
at rs first session. For better under
standing OF the many difficulties which
presented themselves, it should be re-
membered that there has existed in our
State two distinct systems Of school cor
psratison, viz, the township system and
tEe district system. The former prevails
in the central and northern part OF the
State, while the latter is found princi-
pally in the southern part. Each system
has Its merits, which were strongly de-
Tended by the respective adherents. 1t
has been evident for more than year
that neither system, pure and simple,
could find sufficient number of adYo-
Gates in the legislature, TO establish 1t as
the system for the whole State. A COM
promise was necessary; and our State
Superintendent is to be congratulated on
the admirable plan which he has devised
for accomplishing the desired end.
The changes effected 10y this law are of
great Importance to every citizen, whether
he be tax payer, or ouly a school pa ron;
OF both. In this and following papers, We
shall try to give, in as brief a manner as
possible the essential elements of this law,
which must interest tax payers, school
oHcers and teachers. The provisions of
this law Will be taken up by chapters.
taking them in the order in which they
occur in the statute.
Chapter l., which relates to State
Superyision, III addition to the ordinary
duties deyolying upon the State supt.,
provides,
1. That he shall meet the county
Supsrintendents, at least once a year, for
the discussion Of such points as will tend
to Uniform administration Of the school
laws.
3. That he shall prescribe rules and
reRuhtions for holding county normal
institutes.
3. That. at the close of the second
Iegislature, and every four years there
AFTER he shall cause the school law to be
printed, together with all amendments
thereto, with rulings. forms, decisions,
ETC., which shall be supplied to each
school officer in the State.
A.. That he shall prepare all questions
for the examination of teachers by the
County Superintendents.
: 5. That he shall appoint the institute
conductors.
o. That each year one county normal
institute shal be held IN each organized
county.
z. That the county normal institute
shall be held between June 1st, and Sept.
18th.
=. That the said institute shall remain
In session not less than two weeks.
9. That the sum of fifty dollars shall
allowed annual y, by the State. for be-
fraying the expenses of such institute.
10. That he shall have bower to grant
State Certificates, and State Diplomas.
IL. That he shall, twice each year,
hold Examinations for such certificates.
~. A Stats Certificate shall be valid
for term of five years, and State Di-
ploma for life.
IL. Either State Certificate or State
Diploma entities the holder TO teach In
any pnblic school, country. town, or
city, IN the State, without being subject
to aDy further examination by any other
authority.
IA. That candidate for State Certih.
cate shall have had three years ex.
perience as a teacher, and shall pass
satisiactory examination in the following
branches, algeI m, geometry, natural
philosophy, physiology and hygene, draw