Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-31

30 per cent Of the entire teaching force OF
the state changes annually: that 25 10 30 per
cent OF our force must be made UP largely Of
raw recruits each year. We must find, in
round numbers, about 2,3OO new teachers
annually. And when we have found them
We know by past and present experience
that 1880 to 1000 OF them will have no
experience OF professional preparation for
the work. The entire output OF our present
normals, both state and private, does not
supply the needs OF the graded schools and
each year the county superintendents see
their strongest and best rural teachers
called into grade work and their places in
rural schools filled with new beginners"
or the 607 grade teachers in the eighteen
counties above mentioned IS per cent OF them
are reported as having had no normal train
ing. State Superintendent Jackson reports
50 per cent Of all the children in the state
enrolled in the rural schools and small yil-
lage schools that are not accredited by the
university. From whatever standpoint we
approach this subject we are forced to the
conclusion that nearly $50, 900 Of our children
are in the hands OF teachers, unskilled, I'M
trained and unprepared for the work they
are trying to DO.
Rural schools Weakened.
81 ~ luAdi SNuOOlS anu l0e SIldlleE
graded schools Of Nebraska is an army of
from 225, 900 to 24O, 600 children being trained
for the duties and responsibilities Of life.
There 's at present no educational question
OF on2-tenth the Importance as the question
OF how to strengthen the work in these
schools and make them more effective. There
can be no question but that the teaching
force and work now done in these schools IL
incomparably weaker than fifteen years ago.
The great stress placed on s~o-called higher
education the last fifteen years has forced
the smaller school into the background. Our
associations, institutes and teachers litera-
ture are all dominated by and run largely
in the interest OF graded or higher education
while the humber school and the teacher
thereof are ignored. These smaller schools
that accommodate four-ffths of our school
population should be considered the most
important factor in our educational system.
because a vast majority complete their edu-
cation in them. These lower schools and the
lower grades have always looked to the
| high schools to largely supply them with
teachers. But a radical change has taken
place in our school system. OF late the high
school has ceased to produce teachers.
l wish to call your attention to some of
the conditions that existed a few years ago
and compare them with some of the condi-
lions that we have to deal with today. In
1887 thirty-two county superintendent re-
ported to the state superintendent regarding
the conditions of the schools in their coun-
ties. Twenty-three of them speak of their
teaching force in the highest terms. Dodge
county says, I'm all things that constitute
general excellence the teachers of this
county rank with the best in the state
Brown, have a large number OF expert
enced and well qualified teachers, who work
I,-s,1 49, 1900 - 4 - Tho zaa So
OF many older counties and states Holt.
The teachers have received very much and
meritei praise from those from abroad, who
have visited our institute and meetings, for
their attendance, activity and intelligence
Howard, Our teachers are earnest. active,
studious and will compare favorably in their
average grade of qualifications with those OF
other states One cannot read these re-
ports without the feeling that there was gen
eral satisfaction with the teacher and his
work.
The same is not true today. The demand
OF the hour and the burden of the county su'
perintendent is for teachers for these lower
, schools.
High Schools Criticised.
t Last year this statement was made OF
t this floor by a man who has been in schoo
work for the last fifteen to twenty-five years
! The changing relations between the towr
and country have affected the echcols OF both
The town school has benefited. while tn
e rural school has suffered, and though still
5 alive Is generally becoming weaker. Th'
e country school, which was once the prid,
of the neighb2rhood, is losing its influence
Instead of its teachers being respected a
T leaders of thought in the neighboyhood as o
I ycre, in too many instances it is presidel
over by the Anticipated or immature, VIII
+. cannot mman the respect of the older pu
o pills. much less the more intelligent pa
! irons" A majority OF county superintend
: onts will agree that this is a reasonabl
true picture of present conditions in tn
,, lover schools. And many CT us have aske
, ourselves and others why the rural schoo
should become weaker as the high school be
A cores stronger. but We receive no answer I
: the question. Change the form Ct the ques
ton, and ask: Why should the rural schoo
G become weaker as the high school become
higher? The mist clears away and the an
swer is evident. The high school has becom
so high and its course has been SO enrlche
:. that the graduate thercfrom is unable to &c
off the stills en- which he is placed ana &c
= down to tho common branches and the wor
Of the elementary school.
Some ten years ago the State universit
:, contained 4 preparatory department. Tn
boy completing the eighth grade could ente
this department and properly fit for entranc
:, >to the university proper. At that time tn
town and village schools carried many {
the common branches in the highest depart
ment and the pupils were instructed in the
X by the strongest teachers in the state. I'll
purl remained on those branches from or
to three years longer than they do toda
and left these schools strong in the commo
% branches end abundaatly qualified to teac
them so far as knowledge OF the subject mat
ter went. Their scholarship was not broa'
but it was thorough and accurate in III
. branches they were called upon to teach.
Discrimination Against Rural school
q But the change came. The uniyersit
closes It's preparatory department. The wor
OF fitting for college was crowded into OF
righ sca.ois. A miniature university wa
a established at every village. hamlet an
Z crcsslcnd in the state, The doors OF the un
d yeIsIty are closed practically to all the chi
dren OF the state except the favored te
lie who are within the radius o: the high schou
Is o. four grades. The common branches al
o. crowded cut OF the high school and dow
e, into the grades TO a poorer class of teacl
n crs, who are compelled to handle mol
SO grades, do much more work, and more a;
r, vanced work than formerly. The child
81 kent on the run from the day IL enters ii