The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-12-03
R-seeommended School LEGISLATION

State Superintendent Carrington is
preparing his annual report to be
submitted 10 the general assembly
when it eonvenes in January. He
will make some positive recon- menda
tions concerning school legislation
along three nes,-ehsnging textbooks
and providing efficient supervision of
rural schools and training teachers for
these schools. Among other things,
ne will say;
1.-THE textbook situation is very
unsatisfactory. The present contracts
have been IN existence for eight years
and some Of the books have been 10
use fourteen. Missouri cannot afford
10 have its school interests suffer long
or on account OF inferior books. The
best books published can be had as cheap
as the poorest. Uniformity in textbooks
should be continued IN the rural and
village schools and their selection re-
ierred TO a permanent commission,
non-psrtissn or bipartisan, composed
mainly of educational experts, persons
who have made a study OF education.
With such a commission, there will
be no trouble IN getting best books st
lowest prices and in making selections
so as TO preserve unity in the course
Of study. 1t is, hoped that the lobby
will no longer be able to play u
political party against the other to
prevent legislation on this important
subject.
"Witbin the past two years, the
State SUPERINTENDENT has come in per-
Sonal coDtact with every rural teacher
10 the state These teachers are young
men and women OF Missouri. In char.
acter, 10 general intelligence, In SYM
pathetic interest 10 the States well
fare, the teachers sta nd easily first.
They are willing, yes anxious, to i'm.
prove conditions and they make per-
'onal sacrifices 10 professional prep
sration and in bringing 10 the schools
what the twentieth century demends.
The task is uneven. The slate has
not done its whole duty. 1t should
provide efficient County Supervision .
High qualifications and effective SER
vice should be demanded and a liberal
salary paid. Supervision Of rural
SCHOOLS is more important to the state
han supervision of city schools. Rur-
al teachers recognize that the greatest
need is efficient leadership.
The State Normal Schools are dong
! great work, Their enrolment and
ficiency have increased twenty PEI
cent in two years; yet not more thar
Jne teacher in every six in the state
mas ever attended a Normal Schoo.
Not more than one teacher IN ten in
the rural schools has ever had any
pedagogical training, except such a,
may be had at teachers meeting. The
State needs four thousand new teacher,
every year. Three Normal School;
can not supply more than six hundred
of these out of their annual enrollmen
of three thousand. To furnish prope
training, the State should organize
large number of local training school
for teachers. Four fifths of our teach
ers get all their preparation IN tn
small high schools. The state shoul
aid these schools to the end that the,
be properly equipped with teachers
buildings, libraries aud apparatus an
prospective teachers induced to bette
preparation, both academic and pre-
fessional, before entering upon III
!, work. This will lead many teacher
:, to make more extended, better an
!, special preparation In the State No.
NAL Schools"