The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27
THE DAY OF SUMMER SCHOOLS.

Perhaps no one institution at the pres
ent day is exercising greater influence
for good upon the teaching profession than
the modern, wellequpped. up-to-date
Summer School That the demand for
these institutions is rapidly increasing is
evidenced by the fact that new ones are
springing up every year and the attend
ance of those that have been established
for years past has been increased to sew
eral times their former numbers. The
great Chatauqua in New York State and
the summer terms of the big universities,
such as Harvard and Chicago were pio-
neers in this work. and their influence
has spread over the entire country. The
reasons for this are not hard to find: 1t
is impossible for the teaching force to
attend the regular session of a college
or university or to do anything like sys-
tematic and satisfactory work during
portion of term. Teaching is a pro-
gressive profession just as medicine and
law. The teacher who is not progressive
anu WIN IdilS W hStp pace WIFI TIC pIO-
fession must sooner or later either drop
out entirely, or sink to lower level, per-
hitting those who show more spirit and
enthusiasm to occupy the important posi-
tions Of responsibility. Again, there is
no business reason why the buildings, val
liable libraries, laboratories and other APP
paratus connected with our great institu-
tions representing millions of dollars in
money, should remain shut up from the
world for period of three or four months
every year. A manufacturing plant run
upon this system would soon go into the
hands of receiver. Why should not the
full value of the educational institutions
be available to the people Of the country?
No period of their occupancy can do more
good than that which is devoted to the
Summer School work for teachers.
Through 500 teachers, an institutions in
fiuence can and will be felt in about To-,
600 to 10000 children. The teachers go
enthusiasm for the work, with new ideas
as to methods of teaching the old sub
jects and a vast deal Of information
gained about the new subjects that are
being introduced into these schools and
without which the teachers attending
them would never have an opportunity of
learning. The effect of stagnant mind
in a. teacher upon the minds of growing
and sprightly children is equally as inju-
rious to them from an intellectual stand
point as the drinking of water from a
man. Parents throughout the country are
recognizing this fact and are demanding
teachers for their schools who take ad-
vantage of every opportunity to develop
themselves Intellectually. There was "A
big demand last year of the officers of
the Summer School of the A. and NJ. Col
lege for teachers who attended the sum-
mer term, and in many cases these teach
ers are paid larger salaries than they
would otherwise have secured; they have
found attendance a profitable investment,
not only from an intellectual but from
financial standpoint.
In an article in to-day's paper on the
A and NJ. Summer School of this city,
will be found extracts from a few per-
sonal letters from teachers who were here
last year, also resolutions passed by the
student body. These show the influence
that last summers term had upon the
teachers present; a majority of whom
had never attended a summer term be-
fore
In certain Southern States, especially
in South Carolina. we understand that
Boards of Education both in cities and
counties recognizing the value to the
school systems of these summer schools
are paying the tuition charges of teachers
and in many instances are also making
appropriations to assist in paying their
travelling expenses and board bv voting
to such teachers as attend. special al
lowance in salary, and state that their ex
periencc has been that it is the best in
vestment that the school board can make
for the good OF the schools, as the in
creased value of these teachers services
fully compensate this expenditure of
money. We understand that several coun-
ties and some towns in this State have
expressed purpose to do the same thing,
and doubtless others are considering the
ACCESSIBILITY of it. One of the important
features connected with the Summer
School is the social and intellectual con-
tact with a large body of teachers from
this and adjoining States, and the i'm
portant lectures and addresses by emf
nent educators, statesmen. professional
and business men, whereby their intellect
ual horizons are extended far beyond the
bounds of their own local school knowl-
edge.