The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-17
The Southern Educational
Association and It's Work

the state? Should the privilege of local
taxation for schools be restricted by the
enactment of laws establishing minimum
and maximum limits? These are but
lew of the many questions that must be
answered after a careful comparison of
results as shown by practical experience. =.
Under State Direction
Second-Buildings and equipment under
state direction and supervision.
In many of the southern states great
progress has been made in the provision of
school buildings and equipment. Some of
the states have either wisely or unwisely
left the entire question to the wisdom and
ability of the people of the several school
districts. The people may erect school
building If they choose, or they may con-
duct their schools in dwellings or church
houses poorly adapted for the purpose.
In this connection several important
questions are to be answered: Should the
state require each school district to levy
tax for building and equipment fund?
Should the state, in the interest of public
health and comfort, designate the general
plan of the school buildings erected?
! Should the state. in the interest of efficient
institution. designate the equipment which
each district should provide for its school
building?
Third-Effcient county supervision.
In some of the southern states the coun-
ty superintendent is required to be an ex-
by examination This is unfortunately not
the case in all the states; until this con-
dition be secured but little progress
| can be expected.
Qualifications of Teachers
Fourth-Examination and certification
of teachers.
The preparation of efficient teachers, and
the best method of testing their qualifea-
tons are questions that are difficult to an
| swer and are not limited to any state or
| section.
Fifth-Courses of study and methods of
| instruction.
Great diversity exists both In theory and
| in practice, as to the courses of study pre-
| scribed for the elementary school, the high
| school and the college respectively. In
some states unfortunately, the high school
| has no legal status; it is merged into the
| elementary school and the college, thus i'm
| pairing the efficiency of the one and lower
| ing the standard of the other. In many
states no course of study whatever Is pre-
| pared for the rural schools each teacher
| being charged with the duty of arrang-
| ing his own course of study.
| Sxth-Manual and industrial training.
This question is being practically tested
| in many cities throughout the south, and
| the prospect for the early adoption of a
modified scheme of manual training in the
town and village schools of several south
ern states is promising. Its Introduction
form, is question that will require time
and means and serious consideration be-
fore it can be accomplished.
Kindergartens
Seventh-Kinderga training.
Throughout the south there seems to be
| an increasing interest in the system pro-
| jected by Froebel preparation for the
primary school, With increased knowledge
of kindergarten principles and familiarity
| with these OrjnpinlpS in actual practice.
there seems to be an increased demand tor,
the establishment of kndergartens in
towns and villages in many of the southern
states.
Eighth-Negro education.
That the negro has made wonderful pro
gress educatonally during the past thirty
five years cannot be gainsaid. That this
progress has been made possible by the ex-
penditure of money raised by taxation from
the white people-money that was sosely
needed for the children of the whites,
not be denied This progress has been
made, and must continue under the direc-
ton of the several states. The problem of
negro education is not yet free from many
serious and troublesome features, and re-
mains the greatest problem on the calen-
dar of the Southern Educational associa-
ton.
Practical Work of Meeting
The above is intended simply as a con-
densed summary of the practical phases
included in the programme of the Memphis
meeting. Papers will be read and discuss
ed by some of the most prominent seduca-
tors of the south.
Memphis is beautiful city and offers
many attractions to visitors Extensive
preparations have been made to give the
teachers a royal welcome, and to make
their holiday visit pleasurable well as
profitable. One of the most helpful and
pleasing features of the great meeting
will be the acquaintance made and the as
sociations formed. Teachers from differ
ent states meet and confer, and find there
by mental expansion, and widening of in
dvidual outlook that cannot fail to tell in
increased efficiency and power, and in the
dissemination of influences which must
contribute to the uplifting of life and civil
ization throughout all the states repre-
sented J. H. PHILLIPS,
Superintendent of the Birmingham Public
Schools