The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-30

1ssi s s5s,os5 1855 s4s,72o Z,
1ao3 691,s12 S,9e5 3T5,6o1 81
~. torero,ng summaries do not meas
80 tha effect Of education upon our CIVIL
,ization. nor do they exhibit the skill ana ,t
fdelit, Of the forces engaged In the Wo WORK
~ indications of Progress,
-rharo arc many Indications of progress.
.hat are sirniacant to the close observer
~ .dnca tional affairs. The revival OF pup
"a, nteIest In the schools Is very signlh-
cant The system originated IN, ana Is
~, wholly dependent upon, an enlightened
nnhlic opinion. When informed ana
aroused, public opinion Is irreslsti ~.
The agencies that are working 70 .lils
end-the newspapers, pubic Gu efa1'''
meetings teachers associa IONS su li'
tenfents conferences. summer schoo el
tha southern Education Boafd, tne
Co-operative Education Com mission.
and tha State Board of Educnt
t,nn-are not only drawing public az.
& +sntion Ia the needs OF the schools, plt
are cnlivenirg and enc4urag ing tea 1.I
ana school officials Throughout the State.
The discussion Of educational prop,ei,,s
hss stimulated thought and directed Ell
ta.t .amards betterment of the schools.
Another evidence of increasing interest
IN th,e schools may be observed IN the
liberal provisions for education. cohtalneo
in the new State Constitution and IN Tue
recent statutes. TWO prominent iealures
{ ina reflect an advancing state or pupllc
opinion are: 49,,
/. "A compulsory minimum local school
tax. and a larger perWlssiVe iiia ~" VIZ
local school tax.
L ~ professional administration and SUI
IN pervision, state and local
@.t.jThese provisions are In line With the
hest educational thought of the Aay
The enlargement of the State Board OF
Education by the infusion OF ne educa-
q fIonnl element puts our State system
y q hrea i 81 Win the systems of those States
whose achievements have been most note
worthy. 5H
NJ The work OF the chief governing board
is intensive rather than extensive. II
must investigate and study the larger
questions of educational policy grasp
the trend of new educational ideas ana
sift out such as should be incorporated
into our schools; stimulate and regulate
DEVELOPMENT; set in motion forces that
shall vitalze and energize the whole sys-
TEN; acquant itself with conditions and
create ideals Its point of view must be
clear. its convictions firm, Its sympathes
broad.
The friends OF the cause of education
< have strong faith In the earnest purpose
system spirit OF consecrated ana pro-
gressive leadership.
An encoura gng sign Is found IN the
fact that all the departments of educa-
on-elementary. secondary and higher
are drawing into closer and more help
full relations. The cooperation of these
activities promises large and important
results.
Improvement of Teachers.
Perhaps the most hopeful aspect Of the
movement for better schools is the spirit
iof the teacher In the matter of sclf-m-
Il proyement. 'As Is the teacher, 80 Is tho
school" is a trltc, but exact expression
OF fundamental truth In school econ
on,y That Virginia teachers are eagerly
aVailing themselves of every opportunity
for Improvement Is shown by the records
Of attendance upon the summer schools.
Last year nearly two thousand were In
i attendance upon Virginia summer schools,
to say nothing of those teachers who pur-
sued special courses In other summer
+ schools, as we'll az IN the great UNIVERSE
ties OF the country. The Virginia Sum-
s rer School OF Methods now In six
teenth annual session at the University
OF Virginia, with nearly a thousand
teachers registered, Is, indeed. an In
spiration to tho school system OF the
State This school exemplifies and dis
T.
OF teaching: cutivates the idea OF pro-
fesslonal requirements for teaching; slim
ulates a sentiment for general culture:
creates higher aspirations and gives a
broader outlook. II has been large fac
tor In adjusting teachers 10 higher ideals,
The faculty of The school this year in
cludes. as usual. many Of the most distn-
guished specialists in this country. and Ia
not surpassed in intellectual force and
teaching ability.
The Summer Schools at Emory, IIamp-
:; ton and Petersburg, are also doing an jn-
dispensable work in Misunderstanding
II Is ALSO gratifying 10 note that the
teachers arc not satisfied with faithful,
efficient service IN The schoolrroom, but
that through their professional associa-
tlonS-State and local-they are doing
their part IN all efforts looking to the
advancement of the interests of cducn-
tion. Az all effective energy must find
progress can be made without his hearty
expression through the teacher, no real
cooperation, IN a republic, the school
determines The character of the citizen
slir, and line character Of the citizenship
determines tho Character OF the govern.
nneni The child therefore Is valuable To
me Common wealth and as o product Of
the school must hear the stamp OF the
master workman.
Questions Before the Public.
Among The current educational qpes-
tions now being asl'ated IN Virginia are:
Longer school terms.
More wellstrained tesehers.
More efficient supervision
Rural high schools
VA School libraries,
Introduction OF agricultural and man4sl
training
Consolidation Of schools,
Improvement of school houses and
KroundA
For the complete development ~ tina