The record-union., 1899-12-29


of conducting the institute into the
hands of the State Board of Kducation.
The trend of legislation is to take the
power away from the people and place
it in the hands of the few. Because
this is true it does not follow that this
is for the best interests Of the people
I believe the County Superintendent
are more familiar with the needs OF
their teachers than the State Board OF
Education.
The State Board of Education acts
without compensation. Each member
of it is paid from $1,000 to $4,000
year for other work that requires al
their time. Again, to make it compul'
sorry that a certain number of the in
strpctors shall be selected from the
University of California and from each
of the State Normal Schools would seem
to indicate that they need the power oil
the law in order to get employment
from Superintendent and the State
Board of Education.
Again, a ten days institute is entirely
too long for lecture work in institutes
as conducted at present. 1t is very diff
ficult indeed to keep up the enthusiasm
for five days, but for ten long days
Superintendent would actually have tt
keep the doors locked to keep then
within hearing distance of the in
structor. Again, if the institute is fol
practical instruction, ten days is too
short. You cannot conduct an insti-
tute in class work as at a norma
school within any degree of success in
or CD nr-f ir,rn 10, 10 h
institute is for enthusiasm, inspiration
for higher professional ideals, then ter
days is too long. If the institute is
for teaching teachers history, nature
study, fractions. spelling, drawing, etc.
then it is too short.
Then the clause Teachers while il
attendance at County Institutes shall
receive from their school authorize:
one-half their regular pay" Are yol
in favor of such a law? I think we hac
better stop right here and say that this
rich empire Of California will not per.
NIT her teachers to serve her on any
half-pay plan. If the State has a righi
to say to you attend an institute anG
pay out twice as much as your present
salary amounts to-" it has no right t.
IohC away Hdil VI your pay.
The second contemplative Act is de-
fectlve, first, in that it gives the power
and direction over the normal institutes
to the State Board of Education. Sec.
ond, it does not allow anyone bur
holders of legal certificates to be en-.
rolled as students, a narrow and use.
less limitation, third, no State ha.
d rlgnt to make attendance at a nor.
mai institute compulsory and not pro.
VIDE for the teachers time while so en-
gagged. Further, the State Is SO large
that after locating the seven at the
normal schools and the universities the
o.her tnree would not at all be ade.
quate Tor the mountain, valley an6
coast counties.
PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.
=. w. Marks, Deputy Superintendent
OF San Francisco schools. delivered ar
ADDRESS on Practical Problems in the
Administration of a City School Sys
tenn"
He spoke of the difficulty of carry.
ing out civil service in our cities ant
the ingratitude of the people in moi
re-electfng officers who have served
tnem faithfully. He gave data in re-
iation to the educational system OF
different cities, with the constitution O.
their Boards of Education and thu
manner of their election or appoint
ment. The leading cities, with few ex
ceptlons. are governed as regards theil
schools, by Boards of Education. II
most of the largest cities they are an
pointed by the Mayor. In some of thu
cities, the Board of Education has thu
levying of the school taxes. In al
the leading cities except Buffalo anf
San Francisco the Superintendent i,
elected by the Board of Education. The
speaker advocated the election of SUI
perintendents by the Board of Educa
ton, or appointment by the Mayor
They should, after being appointed. bs
independent Of the power appointing
them, and should hold office for {
term of years, unless removed fo]
cause. He also advocated a Board O.
Supervision for the course of study
Many educators, he said, are advo
eating an ungraded class in each cit,
in which could be placed not only tn,
dull pupils but the brightest ones, ant
ing to their ability. In some places
also there is six months promotion
He believed the best plan would b.
for the Superintendent to appoint tn,
teachers and the Board of Education
to elect them.
SPIRIT OF SCHOOL LAW"
1.-THE Spirit of the California Schoo
T axrrss h.
II. NJ. Bland of the San Jose Norma
School.
He said that the growth of thu
schools in California for the past TWEEN
ty-five years had been remarkable. No
only has high school system bee,
developed and broadened. but tn,
grammar and primary schools hav,
made great progress.
He should assume that teacher,
would uphold such improvements of tn.
school law as would tend to uplift tn,
efficiency of the schools. The ole
system of culture and the old method
OF teaching are passing away and new
ones taking their places. He though
the old teachers institute had seen it:
best days, and that a larger institut,
was now needed. A new spirit ha,
sprung up and new ethical system
There is demand for the election O.
teachers on their merits. A better
and stronger tenure Of office for tn.
teacher is also demanded. The coun
try is the greatest sufferer by the pres
ent system and it is very rare to fine
the best men holding positions in tn.
country schools.
The standard of admission to the nor
mai schools is low-too low for tn,
times and with certification of teacher:
by county boards is flooding the coun
try with teachers whose educationa