The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-07
PEOPLE OF ALABAMA
 ADDRESSED ON EDUCATION

TO the FeOpie or AidDdmd.
 The Alabama Educational Committee organized under the auspices of the State Department of Education and with the cooperation of the Southern Education Board, and having for its objects the promotion of public instruc- tion. takes this method of calling att tention to some defects in the school system, and of suggesting such rem- edies as will produce more satisfac- tory conditions. Even a brief consid- eration makes plain the inadequacy of the system to meet the needs of a great and growing people.
 I. Organization of systen.
 1. Former Conditions Not Favora- ble.-while the law looking to the of system of public schools was enacted half a century ago, the conditions which existed prior to the year 1874 rendered impossible rapid and substantial growth. During the last thirty years, considering de- fects in the plan of organization. con- siderable progress has been made. It Is generally conceded, however, that Alabama Is far behind many other States in making provision for the preparation of an intelligent and pa triotic citizenship. Advancement has been retarded by many adverse condi- t1OHS, auouB WhiCh may Uo hAfcHtAchc0 lack of means. sparseness of popuia- tion. absence of passabie highways. presence in the body politic of,a large ignorant electorate, remembrance or the abuses of taxation during the. pe- riod of reconstruction. and the fxef ne- cessity for the maintenance of a dual system.
 2. Chief Cause of Lack of Progress. l--But the chief cause of lack of satis- factory progress lies in that feature of the system which leads the people to rely upon the State Government for aintenance and supervision, rather than upon community interest and ef- l fort This mistake was made in the very beginning, and constitutes the chief defect in the system as 1t exists | today.
 Indeed, the State should do its part. | but the history of education elsewhere proves conclusively that it is an un- wise and hurtful policy to look to that source for everything needed. Wher- ever such a policy has prevailed. the people have come gradually to rely up- on the general government for the performance of duties that should be regarded as individual or local. If we would meet the obligation that presses upon us, we must modify this policy.
 II. Supervfsion of Schools. l 1. State Supervision.-Withou com lpetent supervision the best results are impossible. This Is as true in educa- tional affairs as in business and in- dustrial matters. While there has been great advancement in the work of su- lpervision,-state. county and district.- there yet remains room for improve ment.
 It is unreasonable to expect efficient tsupervision from men who know noth- ing of supervisory work. The States ithat are making greatest educational progress are those that fix qualifica- ttions for the office of Superintendent lContinued competent State supervision would be guaranteed If the Superin- ltendent of Education were required by law to be a professional educator of
 experience, of recognized ability. and of high character, and what Is true of State supervision Is equally true of Icounty supervision.
 When we wish to have performed
 any work not educational. we employ a man especially trained for that ser
 vice: for the bench. expert lawyers for the pulpit. ordained ministers; for the bank, trained accountants; for the factory, skilled workmen: for the schoolroom. licensed teachers: then
 when a man is wanted to administer | a system or SCnOOlS, why not cnOObe an experienced educator7 If the peo. pie will not perform this duty volun-
 tarily, why not require them by law to do 1t? Without such legal require lment. the people. under the excitement of political contests, overlook frequent ly the matter of qualification. The lconstitutional provision that limits the
 State Superintendent of Education to
 one term is unwise. The superintend- ent should be removed as far as pos
 sible from the influence of partisan politics.
 2. County supervision.-Some of the County Superintendents of Educa- ltion are men of con siderable practical lexperience in school management;
 some of them are not. Heretofore,
 many of them have been but little more lthan disbursing agents. altogether un- necessary officers. since the county Itreasurers could have disbursed the funds equally as well.
 So long as we continue to elect to this position men who know nothing lof school management, who have not made of education a study. and who lcould not obtain a teachers certificate of the lowest grade even. just so long will we have inefiicient supervision. A lquaiified county superintendency Is one fof our greatest educational needs, and under the new Constitution 1t Is pos sible. The next Legislature should be asked to enact law establishing 1t.