Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-28
IOWA SCHOOL NEEDS
Address Of President Stuart Be.
fore the Iowa State Teach.
ers' Association.
Present School System Severely
Criticized..-Good Words for
the kindergarten.
Manual Training Favored for the
City STANDARDIZATION Of
Legislation.
Special to Times-Republican

J
Des Moines, Dec. 2S.-Those portion:
of the address of President A. w. Stu
art, Of the Iowa State Teachers Asso-
citation which referred to the needed
improvements in the Iowa school sys-
| TEN to bring 1t up to the standard
were warmly received by the teachers
OF the state convention last evening
1 President Stuart sharply criticised
the present system and declared that
1t deals too much in words rather
than ideas and that we have not got
far enough away from the plans Of the
Sixteenth century. He had good words
to say for the kindergarten and de-
clared that the kindergarten spirit must
enter every rural school and the kim
dergarten itself into every city school.
In regard to manual training he be-
lieved 1t would be in every school. He
looked forward to the time when every
lpupil of the state would be provided
with text books at state expense. He
favored three additional normal
schools, not all at once, but provision
should be made for a plan which will
include at least four for the state. In
short, the address breathed the spirit
OF progressiveness to q remarkable de-
gree and stamped President Stuart as
one Of the leaders of present day
thought among the educators.
The chief concern OF the association
this year is in the matter of recon-
mending legislation. Yesterday the
educational council got thru with the
question of recommending changes in
the manner of having examinations
made and endorsed the plan of having
county boards Today a number of
other matters came up and they will
be disposed of before the season Is over.
Two legislative matters were before
the association today. One of these
was that of a proposal to have the
power Of examining teachers in city
schools rest in the city superintendent
This plan originates here in Des
Moines where City Supt sheakley has
had trouble with County Superintend-
ent Brenton. The other relates to
compulsory education. It is well
known that the teachers are prepared
to endorse a bill for compulsory edu-
cation. but as to this they Are not as
enthusiastic as to some other mat
tiers.
In reference to the high school topic
which has been before the, associa-
ton several years a final report was
made from the COMMITTEE of twelve"
and adopted. This report came In the
form of high school manual in
which is complete high school course
of study which has been prepared by
the committee and valuable papers on
special high school topics. The COM
mittee was originally appointed in 1898
and at present consists of the follow
ing educators: Thomas Nicholson,
chairman; A. T. Hukill, secretary; II.
II. Seerley. A. B. Warner, Lydia Hin
man, j. j. Mcconnell, A. v. Storm
Charles Eldred Shelton, A. w. Stuart,
j. II. T. Main, r. C. Hughes and Hill
NJ. Bell.
The committee report was accom-.
panied by report from State Super
intendent Barrett in which he said:
by law it is the duty of the board of
directors to prescribe course Of study
control. This unfortunately results in a
great variety OF courses even tho condi-
tons are the same. The Twenty eighth
general assembly, recognizing the need
and value of greater uniformity, author
lied the superintendent of public in
struction to prepare, publish and dis
tribute a course OF study for high
schools The State Teachers Associa-
ton having for several years, thru a
committee of twelve. been at work on
manual for high schools. 1t was deemed
wise for the department to cooperate.
This has been done most cheerfully.
1.-THE committee first studied the high
school and learned its real condition.
second, 1t ascretained the requirements
for such course as suggested by the
National Educational Association; third.
1t considered the entrance requirements
of Iowa colleges; fourth, At considered
the whole question with a view to pro-
ducing course that would prove Of the
greatest value to pupils In general in
our own high schools. believe that no
course heretofore submitted has been so
carefully prepared That 1t will be most
cordially received 1 have no doubt. That
1t VIII prove VI NoiAS 40
unquestioned. IL rightfully used"
While the manual contains the course
of study and valuable papers it is pre-
pared by the following statement of the
general principles which should govern
in high schools:
1t was agreed that the aim OF the high
school was not to fit for college. People
do not and will not consider 1t specihcal-
ly college preparatory school. No more
is 1t school to fit for business occupa-
lions, mechanical pursuits or any of the
professions lite specific purpose is to fit
its pupils for the duties of life. 1t may
become the duty of life to go to college,
to engage in business to practice law or
medicine or any one of hundred other
conceivable things unforeseen by the
pupil while he is in the high school. The
aim of the high school course should,
therefore, be to give the child a solid
discipline of his faculties, a broad view
OF life proper self-control, a trained
Judgment an appreciation of education-
al values, proper methods of study and
of work, an Inspiration for life and for
study, and such command of himself
and of all his powers as shall enable him
and intelligently to take
up any Of the legitimate things which
may become the duty Of life.
The student will not, as q rule, remain
more than four years in the high school,
hence the course there given should be
so arranged that the pupils who COM
school course should be admitted to COLI