The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-14
ALL SHOULD SHARE THEM
Protect the Child From Ignorance as
From Hunger.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF RURAL SCHOOLS
The Educational Association Says The Progress
ard Happiness of People Are in
Direct Ratio to the Univer-
SALTY of Education.
salty Of Education.
(By the Associated Press

Detroit, Mich, July 12.-The National
educational Association tonight at the
last session of its fortieth annual con-
vention adopted a declaration of princi-
pies declaring that the problem of ele-
mentary education is the most important
one with which the State must deal The
work of the Bureau of Education was in
dorsed and the association declared that
its powers should be extended so that it
should have jurisdiction over educational
matters in all of our new possessions.
Compulsory educational laws and the
consideration of rural schools were in
dorsed and State support of institutions
for the training of teachers is recon-
mended.
The last session was devoted to music,
Thomas Whitney Surrette, of New York,
reading a paper on 1.-The Relation of
Music to Life Miss Anna Often, of New
York, and f. l.. Abel, of Detroit, assisted
Mr.. Surrette with illustrations the vio-
lin and cello respectively. The declara-
ton of principles SAYS in part:
1.-The problem of elementary educa-
ton is the most important problem with
which the State must deal. The progress
and happiness of a people are in direct
ratio to the universally of education. A
free people must be developed by free
schools. All the residents of the territory
under the direct control of the general
government including the Indian Terri
tory, Alaska and our new possessions,
must receive the benefits of free educa
ton at the hands OF the government. We
note with satisfaction the steps that
have been taken by the present admin
;stration to place the blessings Of Ameri-
can free schools within the reach of all
the children of all the people under our
flag.
2-The Bureau of Educa ton under the
directions of William T. Harris, Commits
sioner of Education. has rendered inval-
liable service to the cause of education
thrcSshsut The United States. 1t is the
Judgment OF this association that the
powers of this bureau should be greatly
enlarged and that the general direction
of public education in ali the territory Of
the United States not under State control
including our new possessions should be
part OF the duties of the bureau.
3-Wc rcitsrate the statement that the
public school should be the center of the
educational life of the community in
which 1t is located Especially should
this be true in rural districts Freed
from the Influence Of partisans politics.
untouched by the narrowness of rigid
sectarianism, the public school should
become the. real center of the broader
intellectual life.
4--The subjects that may properly be
taught in elementary schools include those
ssthat bear upon the ethical, physical and
aestAetlc nature of the child as well as
it's PURELY intellectual nature.
Our system of education will not be
wholly free until every grade of school
from the kindergarten to and including
the university. shall be open to every
bow and girl of our country.
G-Thc liberaity of men of wealth in
mak~~ larga donations to institutions of
learning is to be strongly commended and
encouraged. At the same time it should
be borne i'm mind that popular education
rests upon the peonle and should look to
them for its chief support and control.
The relation between State and local sup
mort should be so adjusted that commit
tees will mainto in q deep and abiding IN
terest in their schools.
THE public school system of State
should be unit with the kindergarten
TO and including the university and all
work in harmony with the ideals of public
education so far as their special purpose
will permit them.
s.-SchooI legislation should, therefore,
be under the general direction of educa-
kional experts.
The National Educational Associa-
on recognized the principle that the
child has the same right to be protected
ohr1Ca
neglect and hunger; and it therefore
recognizes with approval that many OF
the leading States of the Union have COM
pulsory education laws upon their statute
books.
1O--Close and constant supervision OF
schools in both city and country is i'm
peratvely demanded not only on account
of the large financial interests involved
but also on account of the supreme i'm
portance of the teachers work and the
lack of well-rounded preparation on the
part of the many teachers.
1.-THE National Educational Associa-
ton watches with deep interest the sou
ton of the problem of consolidating rural
schools and transporting pupils at public
expense, now attempted in many of our
leading States. We believe that this
movement will lead to the establishment
OF township and county high schools and
thus bring more advanced education to
rural communities. We also believe tina.
supplementary State support of rural
high schools is in the highest interest of
the entire State.
12-Tne State should support and con-
troll institutions whose object is the
preparation of teachers for the public
schools.
13-No one should be placed in charge
of q school who has not been previously
trained for the work of teaching.
live believe that the standards for
schools architecture including the proper
seating, heating lighting. ventilating and
ornamentation of school buildings should
be as definite as the standards for teach