West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-02-09
EDUCATIONAL
Biennial Report Of the Schools of
West Virginia
DEALING WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS
Uniform Examinations rsueeess sohool
Libraries Increasing Rapidly-Erso
Text Books Recommended.

Hon. T. c. Miller, State Super
intendent of Schools, has sent out
advanced copies of his biennial re-
port for the schools of West Vir-
gina, which covers many subjects
of vast Importance. OF the text
book question Mr.. Miller says;
"lf no amendment to or revision
OF the law providing for the selec .
of text books is made by the Legis-
lature it will become the duty of
the county boards under the present
law to contract for books in each
county in the years 1900 and 1907
part of the present contracts expir-
ing each OF these years. There is,
however, very strong trend Of
feeling in favor OF State uniformity.
at least for the district schools and
fer the lower grades in towns and
cities, so if any change is made in
the manner of choosing text books
action must betaken by this lie gis-
lature.
"Ihe Legislature of 1903 passed
a measure providing that boards of
education may furnish free text
books if in their judgment such a
plan seems best. Acting under this
authority a number of boards have
thus provided books for the pupils
in their schools and the results are
highly gratifying. For some time
there has been a growing sentiment
in West Virginia IN favor Of free
text books, and many Of our most
progressive citizens will be pleased
il general provision is made for the
same. 1t has been thought that an
effective compulsory attendance law
will necessarily lead to free text
books, and there is no doubt that
the relation between these two con-
ditions is very intimate"
In dealing with the subject Of
school libraries, and Of the good
they are doing, Professor Miller
says:
A few years shows what progress
in being made. Ia 1907 Libraries
were reported in only 5o4 schools
and the total number of volumes in
the schools Of the State was given
at 8,o26, in 1900 the number had
increased to I7I6o, in 1902 to ST.
4o5 and 1904 to $4,000. These
latter figures do not include two or
three Of the larger towns OF the
State that have, presumably, a con-
siderable number Of books, and il
is possible that there arc rural dis
tricts having few books that have
not reported them. The figures arc
encouraging They show not only
rapid growth in the number Of
books required, but indicate vide
spread sentiment that cannot fail to
be productive of great good"
OF the aims and good results of
the uniform examinations he sums
the matter thus:
The system has been in operation
but a year and a half, but it has es-
tablished itself beyond the stage Of
doubt II could not be expected
that the full fruit Of the system
should appear in so shor, a time,
but the good already accomplished
is enough to sustain IT, Iis effects
are Of a positive character and in-
dicate q certain tendency
J. Toward a broader State stand
ard, instead Of many local stand
ards
Q. 10 putteachers certificates be-
yond the reach Of political and re-
lationship influences.
8. TO encourage good teachers by
offering adequate advantages as a
reward for thorough preparation.
4 To increase the amount Of pro
fessional reading and study among
teachers generally
s. TO increase the attendance at
the Normal schools and unIvcrsI-
ties.
g. To raise thc rasc Of wages
paid teachers, and
2. TO decrease materially the
amount Of dishonesty and corrup
ton among teachers and school
officials
The stakes have been sct Not
only has The tendency Of thc system
been shown but a beginning Of
actual results has been accompliscd.
IT is true that some hardsbips have
been suffered in The Inauguration Of
the new system but these must be
attributed rather TO the abruption
Of the change than 70 the system
itself