The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-27
SCHOOL NEEDS.
Well Known Educators Tell
How to Improve Them.
President Wilkinson Says I'M
prove the Teachers.
CHANGES In THE LAW.
Superintendent Frank Nelson
Suggests Some Reforms.
Age Limit of Teachers Should
Be Raised.
CHANGES IN THE LAW

The State Journal requested several |
of the best known educators In Kansas
to give their views as to what is needeo |
to improve the educational institutions
of the state.
Frank Nelson, superintendent of pub |
lie instruction, and ]. N. williamson.
president of the State Normal scnool
at Emporia, have expressed their views
as printed herewith:
President Wilkinson writes as foiloWs-
ITO improve the schools, improve the
teachers. Former times just1hed the say
ing. Like priest, like people,; now we
may better say, Like teacher, like peo-
ple' for as is the teacher so is the schooi,
and as is the school in this country, -
will be the people, Viewed in TINS hgnt'
the teacher becomes the key to the SIT
uation.
1.-The best teacher possible is needed 10
give inspiration and encouragement 70
children who are liable to find school IRE
and work unattract1Ve. EVERY reauel
of this article can call to mind some
case of the turning of child against
school because of the bung1ng work o.
an incompetent teacher How MANY
promising careers are checked by poor
teaching!
."The best teacher is needed to make
q wise use of the money invested IN
other school expenses Buildings, II.
brary and apparatus have no ef1clenes;y g,
in themselves. This explains Garneid
saying that Mark Hopkins with poy
under a tree is a college. The gooc
teacher is cheap at the nlSneSt price, Inc
poor teacher is dear at the lowest price.
THE best teachers will get great ben
eft from professional training. what
ever the state seeks to introduce into
the public schools, she can Introduce
more economically and effectively
through the normal schools. AS west
Point and Annapolis are necessary "
the efficiency of the army and navy SO
are normal schools to the states giving
of universal education of it's citizens.
I'VE need special training Tor those VINO
are to teach the children as universally
as for those who are to train soldiers
and sailors.
THE best teachers are likely to con-
tinue in the business if they have been
trained so that they feel they have more
invested in the teaching profession tnan
they could hope to invest In any otner.
The normal schools will put into the
teaching profession those who are bet-
ter fitted for that business than for any
other
the success of the schools that the state
could afford, if necessary, to shorten the
school year or economic on scnooi
buildings and equipments in order 70
furnish good training for the teachers.
The cost per student in giving training
in the normal school is less than in any
other school have the common schooi'
and the returns of this instruction go
directly to the states own enterprise,
the public schools. The chief earthly
concern of each generation is TO prepare
its young for life, the chief concern o.
the state is the preparation OF its future
citizens; the chief agent of both the
parent and the state is the teacher, ano
he needs the very best equipment thai
can be given for his work. The greatest
educational need of Kansas is an abun-
dance of good teachers.
superintendent Nelson's views are al
follows:
sSome modification of the law shoult
be made in regard to teachers certih
Gates. Under present conditions 10
year-old person who secures thlr'
grade certificate can teach in tn
schools of the state This is not con
ducive to the best interests of our edu
cational work. Teaching Is very i'm
portant work 1t is character building
A child cannot teach child. chill
should not be permitted to experiment
upon the intellectual life of child.
call 16-year-o1d teacher child in edu
cational work. The criticism is just 8
far as the educational and professions
phases of the question are concerned
The early education of the pupil is G
supreme Importance. 1t has diret
bearing upon tile future life of the chile
This training should therefore be of tt
very best and in line with sound Deda
gogical principles. When the child er
tiers school he should have the very be-
teacher. There are more pupils in TT
lower grades than in any of the oths
grades. Here, then. is where the be-
teachers should be employed. AS a rul
however, we find the beginners, tt
holders of a third grade certifcat
those who have never had any exper
ence in teaching, doing this supreme
important work. In the cities, of cours
the primary teacher does the work
good primary teacher is a blessing
the community. but there are no pr
mary teachers in the rural schools. On
teacher has all the work, and hence
should be thoroughly qualified.
ITO remedy this evil, the age limit
the teacher should be raised. At lea