New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-29
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THE STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
WORD FOR BETTER ENGLISH
EDUCATION

Albany April 8-The forty-second annual report
Of the State superintendent Of Public Instruction.
and the first under the administration Of Superin-
tendent Charles r. Skinner was transmitted to the
Legislature this morning superintendent Skinner
asserts that the weakest point In our school system
at present Is school supervision. He advocates an
educational qualification for School Commissioners
and does not think increase Of salary for Com
mssioners. though much to be desired. should be
made until such qualifcato7 is required.
The weakness of the rural districts Is graphically
portrayed and an earnest plea Is made for the adop-
ton Of the township system which will Ak
sponsibity and without which, he says. the rural
schools will undoubtedly continue to decline. Pend
ing the adoption Of a township system, the trans
ferring Of pupils from weaker stronger districts
Is urged and II Is recommended that power be given
to trustee or board Of trustees OF a small dis
trict to contract with the authorities OF another
school district for such tuition An argument is ad-
vanced that teachers In all cities should be subject
to examinations prescribed by the State Superin-
tendent and that no State money should be paid
where State supervision and State examinations do
not exist Some abuses Of the uniform examina-
ton system. especially In the matter OF the hiring
of teachers by boards OF education. are pointed
out and the remedy is suggested The uniform ex-
animation system has been adopted voluntarily by
majority Of the cities Of the State.
In view of the fact that. under the new Constitu-
ton OF the State, the Assembly districts are In
creased to $50. and also that Cornell University
voluntarily agrees to the number OF State
scholarships from 5l2 to 600. State school Of
pedagogy is recommended to be established at Cor
nell for the training Of graduates from higher In
situations for positions in secondary schools and for
superlntendencies Such institution. 1t Is argued
would only be a fair equivalent for the extra ex-
pense to which Cornell subjects Itself and would
fulfil demand which the States educational growth
creates.
Attention Is called the tendency In modern
times to overcrowd courses OF study and TO IN
cude much that Is In no way essential TO th0r-
oueh groundwork for a chld's education The
teaching Of a smattering OF the oogies anu
''isms' in the primary and grammar schoos ~
severely condemned, and a more thoroush euuci-
ton in English branches Is recommended more
extended study of American history in all schools Is
also advocated.
The draining of the rural population into the
cities Is commented on. and the suggestion is mace
that instruction In the principles or agriculture
might tend to a better appreciation on the part OF
the pupils of farm life, and perhaps arrest the de-
crease of rural population ,.., q,
The vexed subject OF temperance instTucuon IS
treated by Mr.. Skinner at length The Legitimate
end of the agitation. he declares Will De 10 urlvc
the study of physiology a science altogether OUT
az the lower grades of schools as an lndeIcate
and dangerous subject. The power OF the press IN
value of a pure newspaper In the nome ana com,
munity as an educating influence mehiy eslin@i'e'
and ITS extension the schooroom advocated.
A New-York State Educational Association. wnlch
shall be composed Of various educauonal organ,h
tions now established in the State, and which Snail
hold one meeting a year, is advised.
The inadequacy Of teachers salaries Is commen y,
ed on and II is pointed out that the emoluments IN
the teaching profession are greatly INFERIOR 10 those
in other walks OF life.