The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-11

school. Then courses of two, three and
four years. respectively, were open to
him. Only the four years course gave
classical instruction, and that of the
most meagre sort. From these schools,
of which there were a dozen controlled
by this state alone. classes of from fifty
TO two hundred were graduated annually.
after hasty study of subject matter
not equivalent to a good college prepare
ton, and brief instruction in obsolete
methods, accompanied by practice Of
doubtful practically.
Then several young and progressive
educators took the lead, ana conditions
have been radically changed At the
present time the entrance examination
TO the state normal school implies a IA
sniliarity not only with the three RS
but with much of the more advanced
mathematics. elementary science. history
and other important branches covered in
the high school. With these eliminated
from the normal course, a part of Inc
college curriculum has been added. mod
ern methods substituted for the old and
the training school made to conform to
practical requirements. AS a result these
schools are getting high school and col
lege graduates as pupils. and are send
ing still larger percentage of their
graduates into colleges on advanced
standings to complete their preparation.
, Moreover, 1t is found that the proper
ton of graduates who intend to make
teaching their lfe work is constantly in
creasing. The student is unwilling to
so through so much purely technical
training otherwise
Great Things Predicted.
AS for the future of the normal school
1t is confidently predicted that 1t will
In few years rise to the legal status
attained by the law, medicine, theologi-
cal and other professional colleges. as
exemplified by the teachers colleges al
| ready found in connection with our large
universities. A full college entrance ex-
animation will be required for admis-
sion, and the graduate will rank in train
ing and dignity with the members Of
other professions.
But this standard of excellence has
already been attained by the teacher in
our best secondary schools today. In the
public school he Is hedged in not only
by the minimum state requirement but
by the special rulings of local authori-
ties. In most places more stringent than
those of the state department. The
teacher blessed with the more meagre
training under the old dispensation is
today supplying the deficiency by con-
slant study and attendance at summer
schools This is supplemented by close
supervision by the state department and
ty the annual teachers Institutes. Com
petition and the demands OF patrons who
pay literally to secure the best obtain
able instruction for their children force
the private school always to keep In the
van in the march of pedagogical inn
provement.
What then will be the teacher of the
future? The educational prophet sees
the approaching ideal in the teacher of
today. 1t Is believed. however, that there
Is soon to be made for him new place
in the social scheme. He will be recog-
nized as member of a profession of a
dignity equal to that of the law. medi-
cine or theology. This recognition will
be coincident with a more worthy peeu-
mary remuneration and a defined posi-
ton in the social scale. As a profession
al man he will follow the tendency OF
other professions, long ago adopted by
the college professor. and become a spe-
cialist Each subject. at least in the
later years of the secondary school
courses, will be taught by those who
have made that particular subject theip>
life work
1t is to men and women with their
eyes fixed on such an idea That the
education Of the yogps entrusted to-
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