The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-15
OLSEN SETS FORTH
EDUCATIONAL PLANS
Superintendent of Public IN
struction Outlines His
School Policy

John w. Olsen, who it is announced
Will succeed himself as state superin-
tendent of public instruction, by ap-
pointment by Governor -elect John A.
Johnson, has issued a statement set
ting forth. his views and purposes in
connection with the state department
of education. Mr.. Olsen declares his
belief in broadening the curricula of
the secondary schools to permit of the
Introduction of mechanical and agrf-
cultural training, of vacation schools
in the larger cities, of summer terms
for state normal schools, increase in
salaries of county superintendents, i'm
proved school buildings and of the con-
solidated rural school idea.
Mr. Olsen said yesterday:
I'm conversation with Governor
elect Johnson I reiterated my purpose
fayoring department of public in
struction entirely removed from the
domain of partisan politics, and eIn-
phatically urged that its officers should
consider only the highest interests of
the public service. Both Mr.. Schulz,
the assistant state superintendent, and
myself will work in full harmony with
this purpose, and devote all our ener-
gies to advancing the growth of edu-
cational interests in this great state.
Il 'belfeve in the continued generous
state support of our university, normal
schools and other state educational in
stftutions, not forgetting our summer
training schools and Institutes.
Should Be a Unit
"The public school system of a state
should be a unit from the kindergarten
to and including the university, and all
private institutions should endeavor to
work in harmony with the ideals of
public education so far as their .spe-
cial purpose will permit them.
"In my opinion, the time. has come
when the curricula of the ele-
mentary and secondary schools may
be so broadened as to offer mechanical
and agricultural training for the pro-
duction of cultivated mentality, cou-
pied with skill in handicraft.
sI believe in framing public senti-
ment in favor of vacation schools in
our~larger cities.
'The National Educational associa-
tion of 1902 declared in it's resolutions:
Normal schools, free to persons
preparing to teach, are an absolute
necessity in a perfected system of edu-
cation
.I-beheve our normal schools should
be thrown open to our teachers
through a part of their summer vaea-
tion-this especially to benefit those
rural teachers who must earn their
own way through the higher institu-
tions.
Teaching should be made attractive
to the best talent of the country as a
| permanent career by larger. compensa-
ton and permanent tenure, contingent
on good behavior and efficiency. The
city schools of the state are recog-
nizing more and more the necessity of
constant and expert supervision.
Close, constant and expert supervision
is equally imperative in our rural
school districts. The county superin-
tendency should offer such larger COM
pensation as will attract and retain
our best men and women in this i'm
portant. service.
Raise the Standard
'T believe in gradually raising the
| standard of teaching, especially in our
| rural schools. Il also concur in the fol-
| lowing declaration of the National Ed
| ucational association:
"sWe believe that the standard for
school architecture, including the
proper seating, heating, lighting. ventt-
| lation and ornamentatiOn of school
| buildings should be as definite as the
standard for teaching
II believe in enlarged rural school
districts, combining sufficient wealth,
| interest and intelligence to generate
| the necessary energy for producing
| better results than are now attained
| in this larger school unit as center
for the development of social and in
| tellectual life in the community.
"As a member of the various eduea-
| tional boards of the state, l hope to
| give our state educational institutions
such suggestions as my experience and
| Judgment may dictate; but 1T is my
| opinion that most of the time and en-
| ergy of this department should be di-
rected to movements that will further
the welfare of the boys and girls in our
| rural schools"