Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-01
State Superintendent Of instruction
MCViCker Makes Report
FILED WITH GOV. WELLS.
Gradual Improvement Being Wade In
All sections OF Utah-What
the status ~.

report late Saturday evening II Is
very comprehensive and embraces much
matter pertaining to the publIs schools
Of the State. It viii soon be published
in book form Tor members OF the Legis-
lature and others Interested in school
matters. Mrs. McVicker has only held
the office Of superintendent Of public
instruction since the death Of the late
DR.. John X. Park. october sth last, but
Notwithstanding this she seems 10 have
grasped the situation admirably ana
demonstrated the necessary ability to
perform the duties connected with this
important position Since her appoint
ment by Governor Wells she has made
many trips 10 different parts Of the
State to inspect the local condition OF
various schools, and she appears now TO
have well IN hand the needs Of the
school system. She reports a gradual
Improvement during the past two years
In school work. and bespeaks q bright
future for education In Utah
She urges that the people elect trus-
tees that are educatlonally inclined,
wherever possible In the various school
districts, instead OF those whose pur-
suits are Of different character as
this will result 10 the betterment OF the
school. She thinks that the salaries Of
many Of the county superintendents
are too low-so low that they cannot az
ford TO give the necessary amount OF at
tention 10 school work, because they are
forced TO perform other kinds " work
IN order 70 gain a livelihood. Likewise,
she reports. many OF the teachers are
poorly paid. and frequently they are
employed regardless Of their qualillca-
tons. She claims there Is great need
for teachers who have had professional
training, and suggestions are made In
the report as to. how country schools
can be made as efficient as those OF the
cities.
The superintendent condemns the
practice Of discharglng teachers
OF some districts when the at
tendance become low. because the
trustees may think the teacher Is not
earning his salary"
Mrs. McNicHer Incorporates IN her
report nearly all Of Dr. Parks former
recommendations for the Advancement
Of the schools, some Of which are. The
organization Of county boards II edu-
cation charged with the duties Of Sc
lectlng teachers providing for high
schools, and adopting measures for adj
vancing the efficiency and standard Of
the teaching corps thus obtaining bet
ter results with less expense 10 the tax
payers.
Through her visits among the schools
OF the State Mrs McNicker believes that
women make better teachers than men.
The report also includes a blographl-
cal sketch Of the veteran educator. the
late Or. John X. Park. written by Prof
ROylance, which Is very interesting,
In brief. Superintendent McVicker's
report contains the following:
There has been a gradual improve
ment In the condition OF the schools Of
the State during the past two years
The schools are more carefully graded
more and better teachers are employed
nj a slightly Increased average salary
and a much Tger number OF school
population Is enrolled While the nj
tendance may. according 90 the tables,
appear 70 have fallen of IL is really
due 10 the prevalence Of smallpox and
other diseases In some Of the counties
during the year.
There seems 10 be at the present
time a widespread and intelligent in
terest IN an departments OF education
throughout the State But while so
many circumstances are favorable 10
increased growth In excellence and ef-
fciency, there are also some unfayor-
able conditions that need TO be rem
edied, The school system established
by law though In many respects very
perfect, lacks coordination and har-
mony In us execution as worked out by
the various officials
Some Of the trustees do not perform
their part faithfully and lntelligently.
and often act Independently OF the
county superlntendents, who IN turn.
neglect their duties. are careless In re-
porting 10 the state officer and do not
act In concert with the State superin-
tendent This does not apply to an,
and perhaps 10 only a few but the
conditions as "A whole are not good. An
energetic supervision on the part Of
the state superintendent and likewise
OF the county suuerIntendents I'm .heir
fields would overcome many Of these
difficulties"
Mrs McNicker maintains that much
needless expense has been occasioned
by the lack Of proper way Of handling
the school funds of the various dis
trcts. In many OF which she asserts.
they seem 60 have no system or very
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