The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-15


transcends IL. The general work of a State
normal Is all preparatory. II Is in no sense
collegiate For breadth and depth of work
the most ordinary denominational college
in the State is much in advance of il. Orig
inal investigation, save. perhaps. in peda-
gcgy, is practically unknown to its courses.
The conceded dignity and present impor-
lance OF a State normal school lies not at
all in the extensiveness nor in the high
order or its COURSES. but entirely and solely
in the multiplicity OF its units of life and
citizenship. and in its vital and immediate
nearness 10 the great heart OF the masses.
How long this dignity and Importance shall
last under present conditions l do not
know. The time. trust. is not many dec
AIDES distant when none but bachelors of
arts shall be admitted as teachers of the
common schools: and. as high school prin-
cipals, only those that have graduate de-
grees.
There are but two subjects scheduled in
the normal schools courses that are not
school diploma. know that il is said that
the normal methods OF instruction are ma
turer and more skilfu than those OF high
schools But this Is not necessarily true.
The personality of the instructor is a much
more determining factor. Many high
school teacher or principal is the superior
of many normal school professors And
matter OF truth high schools are more
and more seeking for their chairs the full
two subjects that dignity the State normal
school diploma over and above the high
school diploma are theory and prac-
tice' of teaching. They are valuable. very
helpful, and often somewhat redeem an
otherwise hopelessy untitled young
teacher: But. strictly speaking, this tech
sentials. Even modern methods are not vi
tally dependent upon them. Neither one Is
At best they are but suggestive in real life.
The genius of importation is from above.
No school of any kind can thus endow its
students. Far more than not of the worlds
best modern teachers have in all probabil-
ity gone directly to their schoolrooms from
the academy and high school without the
tice." What. then. remains to merit this
signal distinction of life-freedom from ex-
animation? That the normal has no other
aim than supplying teachers in no way es-
tablishes such claim. All Indiana colleges
supply teachers. Is IL the normal fresh
man S written declaration at entrance of in
tention TO teach? Does the writing down of
such intention make such intention less
probable among nonstate school freshmen
Does 1T, as fact. secure the normal lndi-
vidual 10 the profession of teaching? Often
quite to the contrary. Comparatively few
of the State Normal graduates teach twen-
ty years after graduation. Is IL because
normal graduate must take before gradua-
ton county examination Does not the
graduate OF the nonstate school have to do
the same thing, either by way of the col
lege graduates course i'm the State Normal
or directly through the county superintend-
emit? Is ii because the State Normal Is
twice a year inspected by State commit
tees? Would or do the colleges close their
doors to properly accredited State VISITORS
is il because schools of law and medicine
But does any one such school arrogate TO
itself the right to do so to the exclusion Of
sister institutions? Is it because the State
Normal School offers courses i'm the gen
eral nature of mind" and stages of know
ing and feeling and ''will?' What col
lege or university philosophy course is
there in Indiana that does not necessarily
offer the same thing, and much more of it.
for normal school philosophy schedules no
philosophy of as such. There seems, there
fore, no valid reason for the States beStow-
ing upon its excellent Normal School so
diSproportional a preferment as life tenure
absolutely no valid reason.
Shall the guardians. then, of this great
commonwealth bestow one of the most in
monplace? Shall a young man or woman
who has not education more than sufficient
II SUFFICIENT. TO meet the maximum entrance
requirements of Yale or Harvard. Ann
Arbor or Bryn Mawr, or Chicago Univer-
sity. shall such grade Of attachments have
such premium put upon them as life-tenure
implies? And this to the exclusion of far
more extended courses of scholarship? But
has the State nothing, then. for her normal
graduate? Shall this faithful worker. and
all similar faithful workers. have no recog-
milton from the State? Aye verify much
They enter the service of the State Let
the, State set some seal to their worth as
well as to their authority. Make secure 10
this normal graduate, gentlemen of the
Legislature. ten years freedom from exam
ination. ten years from the date of his
diploma. Say to all college and university
graduates that. If their diplomas attest a
regular course in pedagogy. these also shall
constitute similarly a ten years Tor. still
better, an ABSOLUTELY license; that If such
State university or college does not provide
instruction in pedagogy on a philosophical
basis. then, before its diploma shall be rec
ognized as ten-years license Cor as abso-
lute) the holder of il must pass an exam
ination in the philosophy of education be-
fore State board representing. but not
through presidents or professors trus-
tees. the several systems of instruction in
1ndiana-normal. university. coeducational
and noncoeducational. All graduates would
then stand equal footing SO far as
State recognition goes So far as scholar
ship and power to advance popular educa-
ton is concerned. l must leave you 10 judge
what graduate would in all probability con-
tribute most to the educational progress of
Indiana and at the same time honor such
legislation as in all equity the denomina-
tional schools are asking at your hands. II
seems to me that President Parsons who
| am sure. is broad-minded and broad
souled. would certainly agree with some
such plan as this letter suggests.
| should hesitate ir closing so plain let
ter as this without affirming my own high
regard for the personal character and pro-
fessional earneStness of the Normal School
faculty, so far as | have met and know
them. And somehow / feel sure that, maxi
ing due allowance for the natural bias of
professional enthusiasm. they will. men
and women among their fellows. he willing
Ito live and let live JOHN RISK.