The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-08

the educational qualification for city super
lntendents. and third. the certificate OF pro-
fessional qualification for county institute
INSTRUCTORS for al least six years the
teachers OF the State have been asking that
minimum qualification be asked OF each
county superintendent. We who have been
working with the rank and file OF country
teachers know how much the schools have
suffered I'm some localities for want OF COM
peteht ieadershlp- II Is a Geplorabe fact
that in the past trustees. often honest in
their Intentions have not shown themselves
competent 10 Judge OF the real fitness OF
candidates TO do aggressive school work
Now, essentials can lie displayed TO such
advantage that trustees are frequently led
10 make very unsuitable selections in choOs-
ing school superintendent. Now. the state
superintendent, backed by the state board
and the State Teachers Association asks
that steps be taken TO lessen this evil.
Every friend OF education cannot do other
wise than hope that the Legislature will
heed the recommendations coming through
these legitimate channels. But. no: the adj
N1sory committee makes explicit objec-
tons, not because these recommendations
are wrong in principle. not because this
action is not due the school children OF the
state but frankly. because they are clear
ly inimical 10 our interests" and because
we object 10 the constitution OF the
board In other words, we favor stagna-
ton in common school legislation until
three OF the most competent members OF
the state board are fired i'm toto-a very
natural and common sense position 10 take,
with no schoolboy logic about it.
The Facts as TO the constitution" OF the
Sldle DOdTu TOT tflat part OF II Nnlcn u par
ucularly OBJECTIONABLE are understood by
most people OF the State TO be about as fol-
lows: The Indiana University. Indiana
state Normal School and Purdue University
are regarded as organic parts of our edu-
cauonal system, the high schools and ccm-
mon schools forming the other parts. The
remaining institutions of the State stand
independent of the state system. have their
own Ideas 10 work out. and set their own
entrance requirements. Because of their in
dependent character il is not supposed that
they even wish TO be allied with the state
school system. Does IL not seem right and
proper that part of the state board should
come from these state Institutions, mas
much as they stand at the head of the
school system? Does II not seem right and
proper, also, that this state board. because
OF its constitution" should be the legal
tribunal in matters affecting public educa-
ton? We who have been compelled 10 lis
ten for five days 10 some Of the SO-called
institute instructors heartily approve OF
the plan of letting some higher authority
pass upon the qualifications OF these SELF
ever. that some of the best instructors I'm
the State come from UNCONVENTIONAL coll
leges, and no one thinks for minute that
these instructors would have the least diff
Guilty In getting their credentials from the
state board. What We teachers want IS 10
be protected from the few impostors. II is
always the unworthy few that make any
law necessary. Let us hope that the IegiS-
lature will not heed any individual inter-
ests, but enact an educational law that will
advance the welfare of the people as a
whole. INDIANA TEACHER
University of Chicago Feb &