The age-herald., 1898-02-05
PROF. BURRUSS ON
 SCHOOL REFORM

Prof. H. P. Burruss, one of the "Com- mittee of Thirty-three,' appointed by the Alabama Educational association to pre- pare plan of reform of the public school system of Alabama for the consideration of the next general assembly, called at The Age-Heradl office last night to congratulate the paper upon the series of editorials re- gently advocating reforms in the system of 8 sweeping character. MT. Burruss has been thoroughly associated with organized education in this county from its early efforts, part of the time as president of the Teachers Institute.
 F At the last session of the Alabama Edu- cational association at Ta1ladega he de- livered an address by special appointment which was published by the association. and he admits that The Age-Heralds ar gument is full justification of the predi- cates he reasoned from.
 Prof. Burruss, in speaking of the general | movement to secure legislation favorable for reform of the public school system, said that all well informed teachers who arc also solicitous of the interests of the public schol system, know that the schools are so
 
 cannot longer command the respect of the people as a practically popular institution should do. unless immediate promise of amendment and betterment is held out plainly to public view
 "I do not" continued Prof. Burruss, ''be- lieve that present conditions furnish ade- quate training to the children of the state. Alabama has never had cause to be ashamed of her people in any of the great exigencies of the past. I think the state should now go about the reform so as to inspire vitality and vlgor in the whole body-educational that would provide ade- quate preparation for our noble youth, abling them ito keep abreast with all the emergencies of the most enlightened American citizenship.
 Our public school system, at present, tends neither to cultivate nor to retain professional class of teachers. That, if true, and if permitted to continue, is a fa- tal fault The system needs correction and enlargement. l. By larger provision of funds with which to conduct the schools; 2 by a better plan of distribution of the public school funds so as to cul- tivate a more ambitious educational aim and a more refined educational sentiment, resulting in more regular and protracted attendance upon the exercises of the pub lie schools of the various communities; 8 by a closer and more comprehensive super vision of the work of the schools by the public officers; f. by a more careful and judicious inspection and endorsement of the professional qualifications and general fitness of those who receive license to teach in the public schools; 5, by exaction of regular systematic, prescribed course of instruction in the public schools. These enumerated reforms are, I think. all pos sible and will be found easy of imitation. They are, beyond doubt, substantial and much needed.
 Some of the true teachers and stead fast friends of education in Alabama have feared the normal schools; feared that too much power would be sooner or later given to that closs of state schools. do not share that feeling. do not believe that any such result is either logical or probable consequence of the introduction of the re- forms I have enumerated in the common schools The normal schools have a dis tinctive as well as an important work to perform. The work they do must enter into and show itself in the system of com mon schools, let it be derived from what ever source it may. Trained teachers are necessary to improved common schools and the efficiency of the normal schools of Alabama can be accomplished without giving the latter constituents of the system any undue Influence.
 '"The eemGntary schools, the high schools, the normal schools, the Industrial schools and the state university are or should be constituent parts of Alabama public education. It is impossible that there can be any necessary antagonism between the parts when justly arranged and properly conducted The elementary part is the present point of neglect and resulting weakness. The restoration of this point to vitality and vigor will speedi- ly inspire the whole system with new life and hope.
 "If the public school teachers of Ala bama and the friends of public education in the state will strive, not with the view of the triumph of one faction over an- other, but in the spirit of all true reform. an unselfish devotion to the work in hand, the next general assembly will record an era in the chronology of educational pro- gress in our commonwealth"