The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-07
RAISE STANDARD
OF TEACHERS
Requirements Decided Upon by
State Superintendent.
WAS STRONG OPPOSITION
TO ELIMINATE PEDAGoGUEs
TEACHING FOR MONEY ONLY.

After q spirited discussion, INDUCED
in by almost every member present, the
county public school superintendent
yesterday adopted the following resolu
ton:
Resolved. That we favor raising the
standard of teachers in our schools by
requiring that they be graduates from
a standard normal school or its equiv
slent. and that more Of the examlna-
tons for teachers be based on subjects
OF normal school grades. And, further,
that we favor removing from schools
teachers who teach for money only
This is the first step taken toward
eieEaung the standard Of the teachers
employed throughout the state, and it
was only passed after vigorous opposi-
ton by a number Of the superintend-
ents present
All admitted the benefits TO be de-
rived from having a higher standard
among the teachers, but there seemed
10 be a fear on the part Of some that
the state would he unable TO secure
teachers who could satisfy the require
ncnts. It was also thought that the
resolution might cause the removal of
a large number of teachers now en-
plOyed in schools, and this fear seemed
to cause the most strenuous opposition.
Was a Compromise.
After considerable debate a eOmpro-
mise was effected whereby no teachers
now employed could be affected by the
resolution, making 1t apply only TO
those seeking positions a. pedagOgUes
who have had no previous experience.
In this form Is, motion was unani-
mOusly adopted.
The county superintendent also took
steps toward attending the annual
meeting Of the n z. a at St. Louis IN
the spring. The idea proposed is to
charter a special train 70 carry the del
egatiOns from Utah and Idaho. The
plan met the approval Of most Of the
members Of the association, and steps
viii be taken to carry out the proposed
trip II it is found TO be practicable
at the morning session President J.
7. KingsbuTy Of the state university de-
liveTed an instructive address on The
Relation of the state University TO the
Other Parts Of the Public School Sys-
tenn President Kingsbury defined the
duties of the public school officers of
the state, saying that their principal
duty was 10 see that the very best
teachers that could be secured with the
nor ey at hand were provided. He
dwelt upon the great value Of public
schools to the country. and pointed out
that without them IL would not be long
until We would have but one great de-
nominational scnool.
Wants Nature Study.
During the course Of his remarks the
speaker. made q plea for nature study.
and explained its great values. He
cited the instance of Professor Rydalch
Of the University of Kansas who was
reared among the Indians, and who is
today one of the best biologists in the
country
Dr. Kngsbury urged higher morals
for our. educational Institutions, and
pointed out the benefits 20 be derived
therefrom. In closing the speaker out
lined the work az the university and
expressed the opinion that a combin2-
ton of the Agricultural college ana
the state University would be desirable.
President w. J. Kerr of the Agri-
cultural college was the next speaker.
His subject was How Can the Rural
School Be Made More Attractive to It's
PupiIs?" President Kerr had some Sc
rious doubts as To the divinity OF Greek
and Latin, and was Of the opinion Jhac
too much arithmetic is being taught IN
the common schools.
Il would eliminate at least four
tenths Of all the arithmetic taught,
said he ''I behave a two years course
in the grades IS sufficient for the study
of arithmetic, and that further time
spent on this subject is wasted
Attend Summer School.
Professor W. NJ. Stewart was slated
for a talk on How Can the Superin-
81 Fr. onhar n Com
tinue Her Professional GROWTH" at the
afternoon SESSION. Professor Stewart
could not be present, 50 Professor Nc
Knight OF the training school spoke IN
his place.
Professor Mcknight urged more
scholarship among the teachers ana al
vised them to attend summer SCHOOLS
He pointed out the great advantages 10
he derived from this work, and urged
all those who possibly can 10 take al
vantage Of the summer schools. Cor
respondence schools were also men
toned as a good way Tor teachers 70
improve iG5 scholarship lie saiu the
results of this kind of education have
besn greatly underestimate. and cited
several instances where WonderIui re-
suits have been attained through the
medium Of the correspondence schools.
The speaker pointed out the need OF
q teachers Reading circle such as now
prevails in many of the eastern STATES
He thought that the reading circles
ought to become such q factor IN teacn-
ers' education that recognition would
be given by the state board OF teach-
ers' examiners To those who pursued
this lire of study.
Organize Reading Circle.
At the conclusion of Professor Nc
knights address superintendent Ash
ton moved that a committee Of i've
he Amounted to organize a reading cir
Gle The motion prevailed and the FOL
lowing men were appointed 70 act on
the committee: j. l. Brown, ". 3
Ashton. William Allison, y. II. Chris-
Jensen and A. T. Larsen.
SUPERINTENDENT J. /. Brown of Utah
county then introduced the resolution
favoring a higher standard among the
teachers 20 be employed. After some
discussion the motion was adopted
unanimously.
A motion was passed favoring the
of SemI-annu8t
meeting Of the association instead OF
"a biennial meeting
The superintendents decided TO take
stems TO see that the compulsory at
tendance law was enforced and dis
cussed ways and means for securing
the hest results in this line
The committee appointed Friday on
requirements for promotion from the
eighth grade recommended;
That throughout the state uniform
h. -