The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-07
FOR COUNTY CONVENTIONS.
SUPERINTENDENT MEREDITH AR
RANGING FOR FIVE.
Iatfng Interest-Free Text Books
Finding Favor with the People
Closing In the school Year.

County Superintendent OF Schools Aer-
edith is just now busy sending out blank
annual reports to the dlstrict. clerks OF the
county In order 10 gather in the annual
census The school elections VIII be held
next Saturday, and every effort is being
made 10 close up the years work by that
time. To a Post-Intelligencer reporter
yesterday Mr. Meredith said:
We are now gathering data for text
book plans for the coming year. During
the past year free text books have been
introduced into forty-two districts in the
county. and we are now trying 10 find out
how the measure pleased the people-an
life of the movement, inasmuch as 1t IS
one of district local option. Thus far the
testimony has been entirely in its favor.
Following close upon the decision TO adopt
free text books comes the question of
providing books which are best fitted 10
the needs of the district. Heretofore the
plan has been 10 fit the curriculum to the
boohs--a most unsatisfactory and some
times dangerous procedure. 1t has been
proposed by some of the prominent coun-
~ educators that the difficulty can be
done away with by employing some Of
the educators Of national repute who be-
long to Washington TO frame and make
text books which shall be especially
adapted TO the varying needs of the sew
erai districts in which they are to be
used, and SO obviate the necessity for fit
ting the foot TO the shoe. or. 10 speak
more accurately. the brain TO the book.
For my own part. l look upon the sug
gestion as an excellent one and well worth
serious consideration. There can be no
more question that We need just such
books than there is that We have within
our state men of the ability TO produce
them Why should not the states de-
mand be filled by the states supply
II am planning TO hold school board
conventions here and there throughout
the county during the summer months.
Just where they VIII be held has not yet
been dtinitely decided. but there will be
probably five in all, held at suitable times
In several towns and villages in the
been definitely decided. bu: there viii be
new departure for King county. We
tried some years ago to get the teachers
together during institute session, but thu
attempts failed in any material result.
Those districts OF the county mose need
ing the benefits of school conventions are
the most inaccessible. II is seldom that
their teachers can afford the time or
money TO come and spend a week or so
in an institute place like Seattle. conse-
quently we must take the institute TO
them. / have no doubt that five or six
well arranged conventions held thus viii
result In greatly increasing interest and
stimulating action in all school work.
especially II, as I intend they shah. the
programmes are made particularly adapt
ed TO the needs and circumstances OF the
several districts"
The closing OF the present school year
is being marked by the usual signs--ex-
aminations. graduations and general
preparations on the part of the teachers
for the work OF the ensuing year, and on
the part OF the scholars for vacation. On
Friday evening last the graduating ex-
erciseS Of the Kirkland school were held.
six pupils taking diplomas. The Column
bia SCHOOL examinations will be held some
time next week. These teachers have
been re-engaged for next year: South
Seattle school, W. W. Head; Columbia
school. ]. G. Lawrence; Issaquah. q. r.
Wetherby.