The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-27

S>-~1
problems and far-reaching inspirations
for the scholar and scientist. In ner
| landscape and atmospheric tints are the
ever-moving suggestions which make
for art, culture, civilization and reig-
ion. Hither have flocked from all quar-
ters of the globe a varied populatlon,
bringing with them their energies, their
ambitions, their social impulses, their
culture and their education. Already
she has produced her LIE Conte In
science. In art California's painters
( have won fame, and our native
sculptor. Douglas Tilden, is entering
upon a brilliant career. The names of
her adopted sons-Joaquin Miller and
Bret Harte-have long been upon the
worlds literary scroll. and our hearts
have beaten the quicker during this
closing year of this half-century as we
have seen the homage paid our native
poet and schoolmaster of the Pacillc'
Edwin Markham, member or tnls
organization, and whose inspiring mate
was for years our ever-active Score
tary.
1t is scarcely ten years ago that
pioneer coming as a goldseeker and
remaining to see California's wealth.
producing areas creep down from the
high Sierras. forward over her central
valleys. and still westward over the
orchards and vine groves to the har-
bors where the ships of the Orient are
establishing their commercial TRACE
lines. dedicated his acquired millions
to the educational future OF California
Was he seer? He has seen her devei-
oping mining, agricultural, 1ndustrlai
and commercial resources pass In re-
view before him. Did the spirit OF the
land Of his adoption whisper to MIN
the secret of her eliminating destiny,
that he should have passed these BY
great as they are, and should nave
chosen CALIFORNIA; education wherein
to engrave his enduring memory? A
new guarantee of this educational des-
tiny is just breaking upon our reallza-
ton, and Providence has not permitted
the sun of the nineteenth century to set
without giving a rosy hint OF the future
which lies before US when the light OF
the twentieth century shall burst upon
US. In this closing year we have seen
| the worlds competition of architects 10
provide for California the most colossal
and palatial home of learning Of which
civilization has yet dreamed.
! There are yet other signs in other
educational directions which bid fair to
have a phenomenal development. I re-
fer particularly to such plans as must
have been in the minds of Lick and
Wilmerding when they endowed the
technical trade schools of San Fran
cisco. There is a huge work for schools
of this class in California, and their
| hour is yet to come.
The State has most generously met
every educational demand made upon
her with lavish liberality, proud of her
boast that she provides education for
her sons and daughters, without fee
or price, from entrance at the primary
schools to exit from the university
Her sense of educational duty is deep
ly grounded and stern.
| In the prospect of this future, in the
face of the fact that the hammers are
already building, what is the internal
school spirit doing to meet the demands
which externally are being made upon
| it? What is the present professional
| duty of the school people of the State
towards California's educational fu-
/ ture? Are the current systems of edu-
cation in thoroughness and scope all
| that the State may justly demand!
Are we, the teachers, in professional
equipment all that the State may le-
ultimately require? Is our horizon Of
education as broad and complete as the
resources of the State make necessary?
Do our mechanisns meet requirements
or are they in the bitches of tradition?
Have we the means of sound and safe
legislation whereby needed changes and
progress may be accomplished with
honest and wise elaboration and clear
foresight to distant goals?
1t would be remarkable, indeed,
could all or any Of these questions be
answered affirmatively. In a State
which has grown with almost mush-
room rapidity it would be singular if
we should find the educational gar
ments of our State up-todate and
without lingering remnants Of their
swaddling period.
1t is my purpose briefly to point out
conditions in our school system which
| need attention, not in the spirit Of
pessimistic fault, but in the conviction
that the first duty in the expansion of
California's educational opportunities
is repeatedly to draw public attention
to the broken cogs, rusty bolts and
out-of-date machinery.
| In the first place, let us turn our at
tention to the elementary schools. From
| whatever angle we may regard the
matter, we must recognize the neces-
sity of sound foundation in an ade-
quate and competent system of ele-
mentary schools. Some pupils go no
further, and therefore they need the
best The higher schools need we'll de-
veloped pupils from these elementary
schools. The most important element
in the elementary school is the teacher.
During the past ten years the spread
and improvement in efficiency in high
schools justifes the requirement on the
| the part of the State that the teach
ers in it's elementary schools shall
possess, as a reasonable minimum, the
scholastic attachments of a high school
| graduate. The growth Of normal
schools has placed within the reason
able reach of every one some oppor-
tunity also for training and knowledge
| technical to teaching. Yet as es-
sential features the requirements for
the certification of teachers is the same
to-day that is was twenty years ago.
A certificate is obtainable to-day, as
then, by passing an examination upon
| the elementary facts Of the subjects
taught, without any evidence of that
culture which goes with training in an
efficient secondary school, nor any
| training in the technical matters per-
tanning to pedagogy. The State has