The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-09-14
OPINIONS OF EDUCATORS
And Other Information Pertain
ing to the Proposed Change
in School Text Books.

s~SSAASs
We wish to take issue with the Times of
last week under the head of 'sSchool Books, :"
but in so doing we do not wish to pose as
fbucolic editors" nor as champions of
economy" nor do we intend to speak igno.
rsntly of the subject, but during the nor,
NAL institute just closed, this matter was
placed in the hands of our special reporter,
and our position is supported by the opin-
ions of some of Oregons's able and we'll
known educators.
Orsgon's school law provides that every
six Years the matter of public school text
books must be submitted to vote of the
state board OF examiners and county school
superintendent. Before such a vote is
taken, and after thorough canvass, each
votes upon the text books of his choice,
which must cover the series. Prior to this,
however, tine various publishers submit
propositions which are taken into ccnsidera.
tion by the board.
To the GAZETTE reporter Prot. VIM.
! Wetzell, ex-superintendent of Multnomah
county, said, in reply to the question, "Do
you endorse change in text books used in
our public schools, and if so, what?' 81
do not endorse any change, except in gram
mars At present we using four differ
ent grammars.-Sil Clarke, and Barnes and
Swin.ons Word Analysis. That we may
have state uniformity in this study we
should have change. 1t is not so much in
| the text book as it is in the teacher behind
| the text book, and in fact the text book is
| of minor Importance when compared with
| the teacher. No, do not endorse frequent
changes in school text books, and do not
| think any change will be voted when the
| matter comes before the superintendents
| and board in January. 1 consider Max
wells series of grammars the best series
now presented for our consideration. If we
were all finished teachers, a change would
not mean delay in school progress, but to
the average school teacher a change next
year would mean from three to six months
delay in the schools work-that is, it would
take the school and teacher that long to
adapt themselves to an entirely new series
of text books. The matter of school books,
coming, as it does, before the county school
superintendents and the board of examiners
every six years, gives the people the benefit
of all competition and improvement in the
manufacture Of school books. The Ameri-
| can Book Company, which is furnishing the
present series of text books, sells to the
retail dealers under contract and cannot
realize more than a stipulated percentage
profit, thus placing the text book i'll the
hands of the pupils at uniform price. l
shall certainly not approve of any method
of exchange, new books for old, nor will I
favor any concern which makes such an un.
business proposition. If any change what.
ever is made, six-months Introductory
price should be made at, say, two-thirds or
less the usual price"
Prof. J. Burnham. in reply to the same
question, fully endorsed the present series
of text books, with the exception of gram.
mars, but lack of time prevented further
comment.
Prof. J. FL. Stanley, ex-superinten lent of
Washington county, with whom our inter
view was short, does not endorse any change
in present public school text books, except
in grammars. The system of uniformity is
good one. Maxwell's grammars are the
best, as we'll as the most economical, the
common school text books of this series
costing only eight cents.
prOf p n H,Ip, ;,ta
stated that he, personally, did not favor
state uniformity in text books, and he be-
lieves that there are several books now used
which might be replaced by others more
practical. and modern-fully equal to the
advancement of the age. 81 endorse" he
said, "the change OF grammars to Maxwells
series, but do not know that shall vote for
this book, but probably will unless find
one think better. I consider, however,
that the teacher is of primary Importance
are not all ideal teachers; we must have
texts that will lead our teachers as we'll as
students Barnes United States History I
do not like. Either Thomas, Montgom-
ery's or Taylor's is far preferable. Why?
National history consists of more than mill.
| tary achievement. favor a change in geog.
raphies. Frye's Geography consider 100
years ahead of the present series of Mon
teith's, and will vote for this change"
Prof S. I. Pratt, principal of the Corval-
lis Public Schools, was called upon and very
kindly consented to talk upon the subject.
"Prof Pratt, from practical standpoint,
| economical as well as progressive, do you
| favor or oppose any change in the public
| school books now used in Oregon? If you
favor change what are your preferences ?"
"No," said he, 81 do not favor any
change at present, except in grammars. I
do not see necessity for any other change
| of books, Our present series is a practical
one. 1 cannot see wherein our schools
would be benefited by any other change
than in language"
"What text would you suggest instead of
the present series of grammars?"
| "Wel1, there are several texts better than
the present series, but of them all think 1
prefer Maxwel's."
'As matter of economy, Professor, how
do you consider the question of new books?"
"You no doubt are aware that the Amer
lean Book Company is furnishing books at