The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-04-23
Tne General Education Bill.

The general education bill passed by the
last Legislature is one Of the most important
measures enacted by the General Assembly in
many years The legislation under which the
schools have been operating was enacted al
different times, was fragmeuiary and somewhat
inconsistent
The school men of the state have for sew
eral years been thinking of making sn effort
to revise The whole school Law, but they wished
to reach general agreement as to what was
necessary, and thus have as much unanimlty
US possible. Public school systems of other
States we're carefully examined, and the gen
eral school bill was prepared after the utmost
care aud consideration. The bill will give
Maryland one Of the bes, educational systems
IN he United States.
Under the new Law the public schools in
every county ia the State for at lesSi nine
months in the year will be kept open for in.
siractiou. This will add one aud bali months
to the school year in Carroll coauty. When
the present Board came in and took charge Of
tie schools Of the county the school year WAS
only seven aud half months. BY most eco
Bomical administration they managed during
the first two years TO save money enough to
add two weeks, but with the funds At COM
mand the Board could not coniinue to add
the two weeks, and also bald, repair. and
furnish the schools IN the county a. they
SHOULD be furnished.
But in spite Of all legislation, School Boards
and school equipment, the efficiency Of public
school work depends on the teacher. IL mai
iers not how excellent the system. hos faith
ful the School Board, how abundant the iacil-
tiles, if We have poor teachers. to thai extent
We will have unsatisfactory work IN the school
room wherever these teachers may be eth.
ployed. To transform all the machinery into
good results depends on the teacher. Under
the operation OF this bill We expect 10 have
better teachers III the school room, because It
provides that we must pay ever white teacher
Of a school Of Is pupils OF more, 500 per year
Of mise months. This sill enable the School
Boards to get better teachers, and better
teachers are an indispensable basis for better
results in the school room.
Formerly many good teachers lea Carroll
aud went 10 counties paying better salaries
and giving longer school year. This bali Siii
enable Us to retain our COED teachers; Il will
call 10 the profession Of teaching better class
Of applicants; And the childrea will receive
better instruction for a longer period Of time.
Young men aud women can afford TO put more
money in preparing for the work when they
know they will receive better compensation
As il Is impossible TO get something for
nothing the Legislature placed an additional
school tax Of Al cents on the 500. But since
this money goes back equally all over the Stale
ia the way Of better education for the ehiidrea
Of the tax payer. the people demanded the
passage OF the bill, they supported ], veil aigh
unanimously, and il went through the Legs
laiure with but little officially.
Carroll county, which has always beea
among the foremost IN other respects, under
the operation Of this law viii go 10 the front
| in educational efficiency.
The Office OF Examiner is changed to
County Superintendent of Education, and
assistant examiner IS changed 10 ''cerk.
| There are many other changes that go TO make
! the school law harmonious aud effective
;. SIMPSON,
Secretary Of the School Board.