The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-04
THE POSITION OF INDIANA
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES CON-
PARED WITH MASSACHUSETTS.
state superintendent Jones Points
Out Superior Conditions in
This state.

How do Indiana and Massachusetts
compare as to educational advantages?' is
a query sent to the Journal by one of its
readers. This question was submitted 10
Prof. Frank L. Jones, state superintendent
OF public instruction, yesterday, for an an
swer. The suggestion was made to Prof.
Jones that the census OF 1880 showed that
Massachusetts had 6.5 per cent. of illit-
eracy. while Indiana had rs per cent.
Il do not believe much in statistical COM
pariscns," said Professor Jones, since
statistics are compiled different bases
in different states, and because they are not
always accurate. A great many people in
Indiana have been counted illiterates,
for instance. because they cannot speak the
English language. but that is not illiteracy.
If some intelligent German comes TO this
State he is counted as illiterate because ne
cannot speak our language, although he
may be a graduate of Heidelberg Uni
versity. We have great many more for
eigners In Indiana than they have IN the
and because of this fact illiteracy appears
to be greater in Indiana.
Now, as a matter of fact. Indiana is
ton, organizatio uniformity of work and
requirements for it's teachers The State
ranks first in its teachers and pupils read
ing circles and in school architecture. 1t
also ranks first in the number of high
schools which ii maintains. Massachusetts,
ranks first in supervision Of both its rural
and high schools. Massachusetts has made
attendance at school compulsory for a
much longer period than Indiana has. In
the Centennial exposition at Philadelphia
in 1876 Indiana attained its first rank in
school, organization and administration, and
since that time educators everywhere have
spoken of Massachusetts and Indiana rs
beng the two leading States in educational
affairs, referring to Massachusetts first in
others.
Professor Jones said that the States in
the Northwest Territory have larger school
funds than Eastern States because of the
original ordinance enacted by Congress
when that territory set aside, requiring
certain sections of land to be given TO the
support of schools and certain other sec
tions for the support of colleges. The en-
hancement in value OF these gifts OF land
has created great endowments or funds for
educational purposes.
Professor Jones talked interestingly of
teachers in Massachusetts and Indiana
Teachers in Massachusetts really teach
longer than they do in Indiana he said
land there are many old teachers in Mas
sachusetts. That arises partly from the
fact that there are so many opportunities
in Indiana TO get into other Industries that
young people seek employment which is
more remunerative than teaching, and
parity from the fact that Indiana encour-
ages young and vigorous teachers, and
there seems TO be custom in this State
that amounts to a rule that old teachers
shall drop out and give place to younger
pedagogues. Massachusetts, is more con-
servative and less subject TO changes than
our State is. That is the principal reason
why teachers stay with them. They are
not required to change in order TO conform
TO new conditions. In many cases this Op-
crates 10 the disadvantage of Indiana
schools, but in many other cases it is a
positive advantage. l think it is beyond
question that Indiana is fully equal to Mas
sachusetts in point of educational advan-
tages and in some respects even superior"