The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-13
SCHOOLS OF ALABAMA ARE IN
 VERY ENCOURAGING CONDITION


 not intended as a revenue maker and 1t seems but right that the fees paid by the | teachers for defraying expenses or the | examination should go back to them in the form of expert instruction.
 In my investigation of educational Work in other states, l have found that great benefit has been derived from requiring teachers to meet mothly in what Is call ed reading circles. A light course or study of a general nature is prescribed, and the county teachers are required to meet once a month for the purpose or discussing The lessons which have been prescribed for the previous month. Ihe county of Jefferson has county teach- ers' association which meets once every month and the teachers Of this county have received great benefit from the work done These reading circles are not intended to take the place of the in- stitutes referred to above The depart | ment of education Is now preparing a light course of study for a state teach | CTS reading circle. The examination | in theory and practice of teaching for | January and July, 1905, will be taken | from the pedagogical works found In this | course of study.
 Monthly Pay of Teachers.
 A change for the better was made | when the legislature provided for the | monthly payment ol tedeHtIas oAAdcA the old plan teachers were paid quarter ly In a great meajority of instances, their salaries were small and their ne- cesslties required them to hypothecate their claims at an exorbitant rate of in- terests. This rarely happens under the monthly payment plan. The law re- quires that, when teachers send to the county superintendent their monthly re- ports, he shall send them checks for the
 
 ouired to come to the county site on ev- cry first Saturday in order to procure their funds. It was thought, at one time, that, possibly, the state treasurer would not be able to meet promptly, in certain months of the year, the monthly pay-rolls. But the excellent condition of the states finances has promptly send out the funds called for on the twentieth of each month.
 School Houses.
 The average Alabama school house is not only q disgrace to the community in which 1t stands, but disgrace to the state. As usual thing, these school houses have been built without any re- gard to scientific arrangement, proper lighting and all of the things that go to make up a comfortable school house. Knowing that the re-distreting of the state would require a great number of school houses, at the last meeting of the Alabama Educational Association, suggested that an appropriation be made for having made designs for school build ings from one to eight rooms. The as- sociation made the appropriation and committee was appointed to secure the plans The plans were made and the Alabama Polytechnic Institute kindly furnished 9 thousand blue prints. These blue prints have been put Into the hands of every county superintendent of the state and this office is sending them to any district board upon request. There is a healthy sentiment in the state in favor of better school houses
 The Text Book Law.
 The last legislature passed law pro- viding for the selecting and use of a unl- form series of textbooks in the public schools of the state. The law provided that the governor should appoint a com mission and d sub-commission. The du- ties of the sub-commission were to ex- anime such sample books as would be presented by the various publishers and make a report thereof to the commiss- ion. On the sub-commsslon Governor Jellls appointed II. J. Willingham of the Fifth Agricultural School; President M. c. Wilson of the Florence State Normal School; Supt. J. H. Phillips of the Bir- mingham City schools; Supt J. II. Eos | ter of the Tuscaloosa public schools, and | Prof W. w. Vincent of the Fort Deposit | schools. This sub-commssion met, and, after several weeks of very hard work, made it's report to the commission. The commission, under the lay, was eompos- l ed of the governor, the superintendent 1 of education, and three educators of note 1 in the state. On this commission the | governor appointed Pres. John w. Aber- crombie of the State University; Prof. | Charles c. Thach of the Alabama Poly technic Institute, and Pres. r M. Peter l son of the Girls Industrial school. The commission selected a series of books for the use of the state and procured from | the contractors the very best prices ob- | tainable. tt is a matter of congratula- ton that, Curing the entire time when the fight was on for the adoption, there was suspicion of scandal anywhere. l This Is especially noticeable from the l fact that such adoptons rarely occur in other states unless there are charges and counter charges of an unfavorable na- l ture.
 The books adopted were to be put in ] the schools on the first of September, i 19O3 As the contracts were made in July, and the publishers had to manu- facture great many of the books, there 1 was slight trouble in the early part of 
 books. That difficulty has been reme- | died, however, and I am inclined to feel that the plan Is working smoothly.
 Teachers Examination Law.
 After watching for two years, from the l standpoint of superintendent of educa- ton, the operations of the state law for | the examination of teachers, I am more l than ever before convinced Of the wis., dom of such statute. Under this law, 1 the standard of the teaching force has been raised at least fifty per cent. Un- | til the passage of this law only a few of l the more enthusiastic teachers gave any attention to the study of their profess l ion. Under the present law, If teacher expects to keep abreast of the times, and to hold desirable positions he must do as other professional men and women 1 do-study. The law has defects Just as all new laws have, and these defects can be remeded by the legislature. So far l as I have heard there is nowhere any ob- Jection to the law except from few who l have failed to procure certificates
 As an evidence of the remarkable effect of this law, the state is absolutely una ble to supply the demand for first and second grade teachers. A few years ago l l am informed, requests would come to the state department asking for teachers. The grade of the certificate held by the teacher was not taken into question Now 30 out of every 100 requests that reach the office demand a first or sec ond grade teacher.
 A serious defect in the law, and one that should, if possible, be remedied. ii the provision which attempts to prevent | tha examfna fion nuestions from getting