Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-07-20
Educational Progress In The Old
Dominion.


On the occasion of the meeting
Of the Association Of Southern
State superintendents at Lexington
Ky, in April, Hon. Jos. D. Eggles-
ton, jr, Superintendent Of Public
Instruction Of Virginia, was sched'
uled as one Of The speakers. Ow-
ing to sudden and serious illness in
his family, Mr.. Eggleston was I'M
able to attend, but he had in the
meantime prepared very able and
interesting address on the progress
made BY the public schools in this
state, and it is printed below.
| have been informed by the Sec
retary of the Southern State Super
intendents that leach superinten-
dent is requested and expected to
prepare carefully report OF the
educational progress and conditions
of his state during the year"
There have always been liberal
provisions for local taxation in
Virginia. The new Constitution
went into effect in 1902 3. in which
school year S2,lS0,000 was spent
for the common schools. This
Constitution made the provisions
for local taxation even more llber-
al than they had been. The sta
tute Law now requires that the le-
w for schools shall be not less
than y cents on the 500 in each
district, township, and not less
than y cents in each couniy.From
July 81, 1903, to July 81, 1904 the
ircrease in the school funds raised
by local taxation was $4,000 while
the increase IN The state funds dar-
ing the same period was $4,000.
From July 81, 1904 to July 81
1905, the increase in school fund
raised by local taxation was Sl6l,-
600, while the increase in the state
funds during the same was S2b, 4oO
| | haye referred to the years 1903 4
only in ord4r to show that on ac-
count Of the increased prosperity
of the people and because OF the
liberal provisions made by the new
Constitution there has been steady
and substantial increasd in the local
tax for schools.
During the year ending July 81,
1905, the sum Of S2,432,000 was
spent for the common schools. OF
this amount 81 10000 was raised
BY local taxation. lam sorry that
it Is impossible so early in the year
to give accurate statistics showing
the rapid increase in local tax for
|
schools which is taking place at
this time. But if increased inter
est in the schools is measured by
the increased amount Of local taxes
raised for schools. we have in Vir.
ginia happy outlook.
Although our people prosperec
and taxes for schools were increased
it was felt that something wa!
needed to stir the people to a more
intimate and personal interest in
the education of their children. Il
would be going too far back t.
trace the origin and growth OF thl'
idea. The soil was ready for TIT
seed.
| The School Of Methods founded
in 1880 has helped to prepare th'
soil and will 60 into the education
al history Of Virginia as one OF thu
greatest factors in arousing th'
teachers to sense of their calling
in fitting them for better work,ane
in giving them desire and hope
! for better conditions; while the
State Teachers Association, found
ed in 1899, organized the teachers
worked for better professional spir
lit, and was the pioneer in starting
local Organization for the improve
ment of school conditions. These
two organizations and The splendid
work of the press in Virginia, no
tabIy the Richmond Times Dis
patch, made possible what has fol
low ed.
This preparation and the agita
ton started by the great debates il
the Constitutional Convention pro
yoSed fearless discussion of edu
cational needs. Under able leader
ship the Co. cooperative Education
Commission Of Virginia came int