Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-30
Opportunity For Great Improve
ment-Practical Workings
of Consolidation Plan
ON TEACHERS EXAMINATIONS
An Effort Will Probably Be Made TO
Broaden tho Labors Of the State
Board Of Educational Examiners and
In Some Manner Have Uniforms
ty in the Matter Of The Same

Special to Times-Republican.
Des Moines. Nov. 30.-A considerable
portion of the biennial report OF the
superintendent Of public instruction
for Iowa will this year be given over
to exemplIfying the practical workings
OF the consolidated rur:ll school. The
state educational department as we'll
as the State Teachers Association has
been working TO encourage consolida-
| ton OF rural schools for a number OF
years. Some results have been
achieved. 1t is the purpose Of Super
intendent Barrett to follow up the pre-
vious reports with something to show
what has actually been accomplished.
and to this end reports have been Sc
cured from different places where con-
solidation has been reality for sew
eral years. The typical consolidated
aistric. at Terrell. Dickinson county.
will be given some prominence. The
report will include picture of the
school and group picture OF the
graduating class OF last spring to show
what can be done In the way OF gradu-
ating fine young men and women on.
on the Iowa prairies. Then there will
be pictures showing other schools
where transportation Of pupils is the
rule. There is such a place at New
Albion. and number OF others in the
state. The whole report will be an In
teresting exhibit Of the condition OF
rural schools in Iowa. Last summer
Professor Barrett made tour of the
state and took a camera along. He
made pictures Of large number OF
schoolhouses out in the country and hs
will show these In the book, to show
how fine some OF these places are and
how poor others are. He has sought
to make an exhibit that will indicate
clearly the actual conditions in Iowa
as regards rural schoolhouses and
grounds. Professor Barrett believes
that there is opportunity for great
Improvement and that the people OF
the state will better the conditions
surrounding their children In the rural
schools If only the right way Is pointed
out. During his term Of ONCE he has
spoken to a great many small audi
ences out in the rural districts and has
preferred to hold meetings out where
he can come into contact with the ru-
raj teachers and patrons rather than
In the cities where school matters are
disposed OF better. It Is understood
that his successor in ONCE Is in full
sympathy with the excellent work that
has been done along the line Of bet
ternent Of the rural schools and that
Superintendent Riggs will continue the
work without introducing any radical
Innovations at this time.
The recommendations OF hesitate su-
perintendent in the matter Of new leg
is!ation will not be startling this year.
Much was gained for the cause Of edu-
cation two years ago. Professor Bar
rett would broaden the labors Of the
state board OF educational examiners
and in some way have uniformity
thruout the state In the matter OF ex-
animation OF teachers. A number Of
states have a provision that while the
examination OF teachers Is conducted
as now by the county superintendents
the questions are prepared by state
board and the papers are subject to
examination by the state board which
issues the certificates or authorizes
their Issuance. In states where this
is done the percentage OF those who
are examined who get certificates is
considerably reduced. The local infiu-
ence Is eliminated, and merit alone
governs. 1t is a step in the direction
Of raising the standard. or rather IN
not permitting It to be lowered In
places or at will. Whether any legis-
lation looking to uniformity can be
carried in Iowa remains to be deter
mined The matter OF fixing UP the
legislative committees on schools Is re-
ceiving some attention now. In the
senate. the chairman Of the last ses-
sion. Senator Crossley of Madison
county. has been reelected. but he
may get better committee. Senators
Hopkins. Molesherry and Whipple are
on the committee. George w. Dunham.
OF Manchester who was chairman of
the house committee last session, vii.
be in the senate. and he may be drafted
to lead the schools committee there, as
he proved himself nnost bic man In
handling school legislation. The house
committee has number of former
members left. among them Cheney.
Robinson and Greeley. but neither one
would care for that craftsmanship. 1t
has been suggested that e. d. Chassell.
of LeMars. would be good man for
that committee craftsmanship. since he
is former and capable school man
ana has never lost his interest in edu-
cational matters.
President A. B. Storms, Of the State
College at Ames. was in the city Sat
turday evening to attend meeting
OF the Prairie Club, OF which he is a
member. He stated that the report Of
the trustees will be placed in the hands
OF the governor very soon. It is now
finished. President Storms is conf
dent the college at Ames will be vel
treated by the legislature and that it's
needs will be recognized. A strong plea
is included IN the report for the es-