The Tucson citizen., 1902-05-24
Change In Text Books
In the Public Schools

There has been considerable COM
ment and criticism of the proposed
change In text books now in use in the
schools of the Territory.
In order to arrive at the truth of the
matter, Citizen reporter called on
Mr.. William Angus, county school su-
peintendent, to ascertain what
changes would be made, method of
procedure, and other facts relating to
the change. Mr.. Angus made the fol-
lowing statement
At the last session of the legislature
a law was passed prohibiting any
change in school text books, unless
recommended by majority of the
county school superintendents of the
Territory. From this law, whenever
a majority of the said ofTicials recon-
mend change, 1t then becomes the
duty Of the Board of Education to Sc
leet text books to take the place of
those recommended to be changed.
The Board of Education is at present
composed Of the governor, Territorial
treasurer, superintendent of public
instruction, president of the University
anu the principals of the two Normal
Schools OF Arizona.
Under date of April 1st. circular
letter was issued by Hon. r. L. Long.
superintendent of public instruction,
to all of the county school superinten-
dents, calling for any recommendations
for changes in text books that they
might wish. In response to this cir
cular letter, a majority of the school
superintendent of the Territory
recommended that a change be made
from the Appleton readers and also
the Franklin readers, used as supple
mental to the Appleton readers. and
the California series of copy books.
A meeting of the Board of Educa-
ton has been called by Mr. Long for
July 2. at which time the Board will
select text books to take the place OF
those named above. Text boks on the
following subjects will be adopted. viz;
higher arithmetic, advanced phys
iology, elementary algebra, physics,
physical geography. geology, geom-
etry. rhetoric, English literature and
general history.
These books will be adapted to pupils
| In the ninth and tenth grades. Books
on these subjects have never been
3uOpteu ny tnE DOdFu ol LuHSdtioA, %
there will be no change in these.
What Is your personal opinion OF
the change of readers and copy boks?'
My opinion is, that a change In
these books Is badly needed. The Ap-
pleton readers have been In use fol
more than twenty years In the Terri
tory. During this time there has new
er been a change in the readers, and
consequently has not been kept up II
date. The arrangement of words Ia
the primary and fret reader is no
good: too many new words being In
troduced ID the new lessons. Th'
lump from first reader to second II
entirely too great. do not know
what series OF readers win be selected
by the Board of Education, but any o.
the late books will be superior to the
one now In use. We need book tina
has kept pace with the change IL
methods OF teaching reading that have
been constantly made during the las
few years. The copy books are called
1.-THE California series" and yet they
are not In use In single school In th'
State of California. The series ar
published by the Fl. s. Crocker Co. o
San Francisco. They were in use II
the San Francisco schools. ] under
stand. for a few months. but not beint
suitable. a change was made. Th'
copy book IL used In no other schools
in the United States outside OF thu
Territory OF Arizona"