River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-10-20
ED. JOURNAL

ED JOURNAL
That the excellent work of Frank W. Bixby
as county superintendent of schools during the
past six years is appreciated in his county is
shown in his fourth consecutive nomination
at the hands OF the Republican County Con
ventiOn OF St. CroiX Co.
Alarge percentage of our boys and girls re-
ceiye no other school advantages than those
afforded by the common school so this inStitu-
ton is one OF the main threads in our social
fabric, if there be any logic in the proposition
that the safety OF government, whose SOver-
eign is the viii of the people, rests upon an
abiding intelligence and righteousness OF
purpose. The great leaders in the arena OF
educational thought have been and are now
giving much attention TO the rural school prob
lem with view to advance these schools that
are so vitality associated with the rank and file
OF the American youth. VIM. 7, Harris. L. ,.
Commissioner of Education, is one of the pro-
mlnent leaders in this movement. Normal
school, college and university men could be
named by the score, who are equally earnest
IN this same question. The rural school queS-
ton has engaged the minds Of many well
known men in Wisconsin and il has found eX-
preston in the State Teachers Association
and it is to be of the leading questions for
consideration in the coming December meet
ing County Superntendents by virtue OF their
personal contact with these schools may
render valuable assistance IN solving TINS PROB
lem, and it is to review, impartialy. what Mr..
BiXby has done for the rural schools of his
county that take this liberty OF writing. |
would not be understood, however, as pro
claiming that Superintendents in other cOun-
ties have not done equally good work along
OtueF INES IMAM those pursued by MI IblEDN,
but particularly desire to call attention TO
two plans, original with Mr. Bixby the merits
of which are left to a discriminating public.
The law empowers a Co. Supt. to issue
diploma to each pupil who completes what IS
known In Wisconsin as the Common School
Course of Study" Mr.. Bxby plan is to pro-
vide for what he terms The Rural School Fair,
ia which all the rural school graduates com
pete for hOnOrS in various phases OF manual
training and in such literary work as recita-
tiOns, orations and essays. The contributions
made to these various departments are in
themselves the best testimonials for the eff
fcacy Of the plan But the larger benefit
comes in stimulating and encouraging these
graduates to continue their education in the
high schools, to which they are usually admit
ted without examination, and where they are
better fitted for their future work, whether it
be on the farm or at the bar. The interchange
OF ideas among the parents who. IN most cases
accompany their children. tends To promote
greater interest ia the things incident TO their
respective home schools All Of the charac-
teristic principles of progress are in evidence
in these meetings that become more consp1cu-
Gus in larger and more representative meet
ings where a body of people meet for common
good. The other plan Of work IN st CroiX Co |
is vested in two weeks summer institute
where the usual academic work Is done but |
where the emphasis of the Institute Is laid up |
on the professional work which is in charge Of |
a supervisor OF pra ctice work from one OF the |
State Normal Schools. The model grades |
composed OF the children of the city where |
the Institute is heidi are open TO all teachers /
for practice work. The supervisor gives such /
aid as She deems best. both in assigning lessons /
and in methods of recitations In addition she |
gives model lessons thus enabling the teachers |
to witness good methods of teaching. gen
eral discussion follows the work in which the |
supervisor aims to present some OF the under |
lying principles OF teaching The work IS pat
termed after that done in the Normal Schools |
and il has the commentator Of such men as |
State Supt. J. @ Emery, Pres. L. ID. Harvey. |
Of the Milwaukee Normal. and eE-Presdent
W. D. Parker, of the River Fails Normal The
plan has met with such success in st. Croix |
Co that It has been introduced into several |
1ther counties and il has given Mr., Bixby high |
rank a. county superintendent throughout |
he state.
The matter OF school supervision: enthusi-
lsn ia the various teachers associations, in
good literature into the rural school |
Ind his prompt dispatch Of the clerical duties
ire among the other qualities thatrecommend
dr Bixby to the voters Of ST. CroiX Co. ir-
respective OF party afination or personal
yrievance Very truly,
G. W. SwARTZ,
University, Wis. Oct II, 1895.