New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1900-03-03
EDUCATIONAL.

Supervision We have, in a pre-
That Does Not vious article, called
Supervise. attention to an objec
tionable feature in our statute gov.
erning the qualifications of persons
selected for parish superintendents
The statute fixes the salary at from
800 to 5000, while it practically
demands no professional qualitica
ton. The law directs that "he
shall be possessed of moral charac-
ter and ability to manage the com
mon school interests of his parish
and shall be of age and "A qualified
elector"
OF course, he should possess
moral character be of age and
"a qualified elector'. There can be
no question as to the intended
meaning Of these terms but 'abil-
ity to manage the common school
interests of his parish must have
been conceived by one accustomed
to writing platforms for political
parties, or by one who regards
teaching as a mere avocation for
the otherwise not very capable or
industrious. For a low estimate
placed upon the work of the teacher,
might suggest very ordinary ability
as a qualification for those who
shall supervise this believed unim-
portant work. So with a law con-
tanning this indefinite statement
relative to the professional side of
the superintendent duties, we can
not expect supervision of definite
character.
In the industrial world the omis-
sion of a competent superintendent
in any industry of even moderate
magnitude would be regarded as
folly. inviting and deserving fail
ure. School.work is no exception
to this general rule. And as in the
industrial world the degree of sue
cess is determined by the ability of
the supervisor, so in any system of
schools, the standard of excellence
is almost wholly determined by the
character of the supervision. No
parish has higher standard of
schools than that set by its super
intendent. When this fact is fully
realized, "ability to manage the
school interests Of his parish" will
have a definite meaning.
We have no right to pay for
ability in supervision unless we get
it, and when a parish pays we'll
nigh the maximum salary allowed
by law Gas some are now doing)
for the performance of such per-
functory duties as might be done
by the cheapest teacher of the most
ordinary ability, we plainly see the
futility and erroneousness Of our
present law. This law should be
changed, making the qualifications
of the superintendent in keeping
with the requirements Of the posi-
ton. The most valuable part Of
the superintendent work is strict
!y professional, and calls for spec
ial training and ability. Every
worthy teacher knows this and
hopes for the time when he shall
be directed and advised by man
who by education, training and ex-
perience has been prepared not only
to see that the work is properly
done, but to guide the doer. Until
such qualification is required as the
liability to manage the common
school interests" we shall expect
competent supervision in such par
ishes only where public sentiment
that the Office be worthily
filed. But these affairs cannot
always be trusted to public senti-
ment, and such laws should be en-
acted as shall influence public SEN
timent in the proper direction.
We suggest the following as q
for liability to manage
the common school interests Of his |
parish: He shall hold q 'siirst |
grade certificate" or principals
certificate" or be graduate Of an
accredited college or normal school,
and shall have had q successful ex-
perience in teaching, Of at least
eighteen months, within three years
Df the time Of his election.