The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-09
EDUCATORS AT MILwAUKEE
EDUCATORS Al MIL w hChLE
Commissioners Harris and Others Lead
Ont, on Rural Schools.

Ont, on Rural Schools.
Milwaukee Wis, July S.-With the
mercury lowering around the nineties,
1000 delegates filed into the exposition
building this forenoon to attend the first
meeting Of the third days general ses-
sion of the National Educational associa-
lion. The papers read this morning re-
iated 20 rural schools.
The first paper was read by 3. A Hins-
sale, professor CT the science and art OF
:eaching, University Of Michigan. The
topic was 'The Rural School Problem"
He said:
Money has long been called the sin
ews Of war. 1t is equally the sinews Of
pubic education. The cost Of such edu-
cation is everywhere great. The states
Of our Union expended for common
schools for the years 1S94-95, not includ-
ing the payments on bonds, s17S. 900
and we shall no doubt pass the century
line with an annual expenditure OF over
s20o, 900 oO0 The expenditures Of the 443
cities, compared with the expenditures of
the rest Of the country, are approximate
~ S69S TO 81 .004, but the pupils enrolled
in the city schools are only 3,126 10 lOSO9.
Wealth is not always found where il
is required for school purposes. Hence
it is necessary, in the first place, in
many states, to enlarge the units Of
school taxation.
TT is most irrational 10 distribute
such funds according to schoo. popula-
ton, since the cost of maintaining
good school depends only in a slight de-
gree upon the number of pupils it con-
tains"
William T Harris. United States COM
missioner of education, read paper on
grading and classification. The speaker
said the chief care in the management of
a system Of city schools is to grade or
classify the pupils in such a manner that
the interests of some are not sacificed for
those of others. When pupils of a slower
temperament are strained 10 keep pace
with quick and bright ones they become
discouraged and demoralized. He advo-
GATED frequent reclaSsification, which
should occur once in two or three months.
Henry Sa,bin. superintendent of public
instruction, state of Iowa, chairman of
the committee of twelve" spoke on the
Kind Of superintendent Most Needed"
The speakers remarks were confined
TO supervision of rural schools. He said
supervision is a blessing or a curse in
proportion TO the intelligence and skill
with which il is administered. The true
supervisor is much more than teacher
and should know what constitutes good
farming: must concern himself with
school extension, lectures and library.
He closed by saying: 1.-The supervision
which / have attempted TO mark out is
that of a live, enthusiastic man in SYM
pathy with educational progress in touch
with the common people, consecrated TO
his work, who thinks no sacrifice too
great, no labor too severe. when made
in the cause of the common district
schools"
David L. Kiehl. professor Of pedagogy.
University of Minnesota, read the last
paper on the morning program. He said
In substance:
Our schools have houses. furniture.
apparatus, teachers, organizations, but
something Is necessary TO make al this
material effective for the education OF
the pupils in the rural schools. The pupil
in the rural school must be put in accord
with his environment and taught to make
the best possible use Of fits conditions. 1t
is TO combat this tendency and educate
the youth to fill his own sphere }lonora-
bly, and successfully that the rural school
exists"
The speaker said that the agricultural
school had done much to raise the stand
ard of the rural sclloo..
A message of greeting was received
from the Association of Teachers of In
dian schools, in session at Rosebud, S. D.
A suitable reply was ordered sent.
In an interview with one of the direct
ors today the announcement was made
that the selection of the next meeting
place would be in the order Of Salt Lake
City. Los Angeles and Omaha
4 report was received from the board
of directors providing a change in the
constitution regarding the eligibility Of
officials for active membership, provid-
ing that all must pay 81 enrolment fee.
and the annual dues The proposed
amendment was adopted by a large vote.
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