Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-02-27
SUBDIVISION Of Schools.

Supervision of Schools.
In response to a letter written
to the State Superintendent of
Schools, j. N. Cross, County Com
missioner, has received the follow
ing:
"To THOSE INTERESTED IN I'M
PROVING RURAL SCHOOLS: Nine
Missouri counties have supervision.
Within past two years Ihave made
a close study of the school work
in these counties and compared
with counties similarly. situated
not having supervision. | am
quite certain that the rural schools
in counties having supervision are
more uniformly well classified and
graded. There is more definite
ness of purpose, the teachers work
with better spirit, the pupils are
more regular and prompt in at
tendance, the people manifest more
concern for the general education
al welfare.
"In some of the counties having
supervision, the superintendent
has saved many times his salary
by having back taxes properly
credited to the districts, by investi-
eating loans and advising the
county court in regard to fines and
penalties and as to investment of
school funds.
Wis best work, however, is in
organizing the teaching corps and
the subject matter taught in the
schools so that there will not be so
much waste of money and of time
of the pupils. This has been said
so often that it sounds trite. 1t
needs to be burned deep into the
thoughts of teachers and school
officers. There is too much school
keeping" and too little inspiration
in the work. Not every superin-
tendent ear arouse such, but he
must be a poor one, indeed, who
could not improve conditions.
1.-THE schools are improving, but
when viewed from the standpoint
Of one who has studied these ques-
tons, the present condition is not
altogether encouraging. So many
of the teachers are young men and
women anxious to do, but are
completely at loss to know what to
do. They need assistance.
From letters received, | think
there must be at least two thous-
and young teachers in the State
who opened school last September
buoyant in spirit, full of hope and
Astounding in good works, who are
now closing their six months
term respondent, feeling that
teaching is not their calling, re-
solved never to undertake such
work again. A good superintend-
ent can save them and turn this
encouragement to good account.
IAN educational expert can tell
in n few minutes what are the
strong and what are the weak
points of a teacher. He need not
stop in the school to discuss these
with the teacher. He holds Sat
urday meetings for this purpose.
He goes home with the teacher or
director, and around the freside
lays plans to correct mistakes or
to avoid approaching calamities.
Much Of his best influences are in
direct. He acts as a stimulating
and organizing agent. He will
bear good tidings from one school
to another.
"The greatest drawback in rural
schools today is a lack of interest
in school on part of the children.
What per cent Of the children have
a burning desire to go on in their
work. The best test of a good
school is that the children love to
Apply this test and you
will find the strongest argument
in favor Of county supervision.
"If you want to know how much
is accomplished by county superin-
tendents, write to some one in
Atchison, Butler, Greene, Jack
son, Jasper, Macon, Pettis, st.
Louis or Saline. These counties
have it. If you want to know
how the work is done write Su-
perintendents Hattie D. Sutton,
Rockport; NJ. j. Armstrong, Pop
lar Bluff; S. P. Bradley, Spring
field; W. II. Johnson, Independ-
ence; E. B. Denison, Carthage;
F. L. Thompson, Macon; q. L.
Coleman, Sedalia; j. w. Andrae,
Clayton, or j. S. NJ. Huff. Mar
shall.
uIf Missouri had ia county
superintendent the equal of the
nine she now has, there would be
a great educational awakening.
Some fear that an incompetent
would be selected to the Office
There is enough strong sentiment
in favor of high grade work to
prevent the selection of one not in
touch with the best things. Should
it occur, however, the demands of
the office would develop him or
force him from the position. II
hope it will be voted ON in your
county and meet with success.
Yours very truly,
mNIr m n---L L