Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-07
THE S|bI[' 5 SCHOOLS
State Superintendent Of Instruction
Barrett Files Biennial Report
with the Governor.
Many Important Recommendations
for Betterment of the Public
Schools Made.
skillful Teachers the Great Need
Three New Normal Schools
Are Urged.

tendent Barrett has filed with Gov
ernor Shaw his biennial report 1t in
cludes a large number of important
recommendations for the betterment of
the schools. Professor Barrett says
that overshadowing every other mat
ter in Importance is that of providing
qualified teachers for all schools. ANY
Legislation which tends toward the inn
by retaining those already in the pro-
lfession for longer periods, or requiring
better preparation of those seeking adj
mission. will be Regarded as highly
beneficial. SO deeply do feel on this
subject that l can not forego saying
that better results viii be obtained by
a skillful teacher under an imperfect
school system than by poor teacher
with a perfect system.
The Improvement of rural schools oc-
cupies a place next in Importance. Bet
liter conditions can be produced: by
providing better teachers; By making
1.-The township the unit OF organization,
township graded schools by transport
Ling children TO a central township high.
school; by providing school libraries.
! by the use Of free Textbooks by closer
supervision by skilled supervisors; by
providing a course of study suited to-
/ the needs OF the pupils In the prepa-
ration of such a course the child should
be considered physically, intellectually
and morally.
The Recommendation are as follows:
1 That a summer school for teachers
be maintained in connection with the.
State University; and that the present
| tax levy for the university be contin-
ued for another period of five years.
That summer term of twelve
weeks be held at the Stat. Normal
| School. and be considered as one Of the
regular terms of the year
| That chair of pedagogy be estab-
llished in connection With the State COL
IegeE of Agriculture anti Mechanic Arts;
/ and that additional buildings be pro-
4 vided to meet the increased attend
ance.
| That an educational normal school
building be erected Al Cedar Falls.
That three additional normal schools
be provided the same to be located by
4 the executive council. judges of the SUI
preme court or a special commission
named by the general assembly.
That the office of county superin-
tendent be removed from partisan poll
4 tics. That said officer be chosen BY q
i committee appointed BY the judge of
the district court, or the board of SUI
/ pervisors. from among the presidents
/ of the school boards within the county.
i That the present Law relating to the
superintendent Of public instruction bs.
so modified as to give him additional
power. and increased fund for travelling
4 expenses
That county superintendent be au-
j thorized 10 use a limited amount Of the
INSTITUTE fund 10 defray the expenses
lof teachers associations held within
/ the county: to provide, also, that ali
4 money on hand in the institute fund at
i the time of making the annual report
A TO the state department. above q fixed
A reserve fund, be apportioned IN some
Just and equitable manner among the
4 weaker counties. to be expended in
maintaining the institute in said coun-
4 ties.
That provision be made for high
i school inspector WIN power 70 assisl
high schools in the preparation OF
courses of studies, and to perform such
other duties as inspectors usually per-
form.
That the law governing teachers anc
boards of directors shall be so amended
as TO enable teachers to attend meet
lings called officially by the county SUI
perintendent. without loss of pay.
That proper legislation be enacted by
the general assembly regarding attend
ance at school. AT the present TINS
Iowa is one of only few states thai
Il has no law requiring children TO at
tend school either public or private.
The enactment of laws for The
q legal establishment and maintenance q
Ilibraries in all school corporations mo-
otherwise provided, by recurring poai q:
to withhold annually, for library pur-
poses. a definite amount or percentage
for each person of school age residing
in each corporation.
That bulletins relating to nature
teaching or the clements or agricultur'
and horticulture be published FREQUENT
. IN for use in the public schools.
That lawful authority be given to re
4 wise and reissue the handbook for low;
teachers.
That a special agent be sent to tn
: li,,arnat;onnl .xposition at Paris II