The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-08

4--O44tS III the u4S4= SCHOOL were QIRAulz-
60 IN the spring of 1905 the courses were
onered to students in the first year and
to others as far as the capacity OF the
classes permitted No separate manual
hsned out the manual training branches
were placed on the same footing as the
others, thus enriching the general high
school curriculum. The manual train
ing courses are in close relation with
tnOSe OF the grades imm ediateIy below,
and now include two years instruction
IN sewing, wood carving and clay mod
cling, free hand drawing mechanical
drawing, and one year each in joinery
ana wood turning. In September, 1908.
the department Of physical training was
organized and instruction was given to
girls with excellent results.
The course in manual training has
been exceedingly popular and the class
es have been well filed In sewing,
especially, it has not been possible to
accommodate all who have applied for
admission. The natural growth in the
manual training departments must be
provided for or the school viii suffer.
The next branches in order are domes-
tic science and forge work, for which
pupils will be ready during the coming
year, and it is unfortunate that the
resources of the board will not permit
this desirable extension Immediately
Methods of Instruction.
The most effective instruction in
school Of any grade depends upon close
and sympathetic personal relations be-
tween teacher and pupil. One reason
for the remarkable success and popu-
larity of manual training is because the
instruction is wholly individual The
teacher adaptS his methods of teach
ing to the needs of each individual pu-
Pill. The same method should be en-
ployed in all other branches and the
superintendent has recommended that
all teachers modify their daily pro-
grammes SO as to give a certain amount
of time each day to personal attention
to those pupils who need such atten-
ton the most. There has been an en-
couraging response to this recomnen-
dalton and one result has been reduce
ton in the number of pupils failing OF
promotion at the end of the term. IN
the high school the same result is
reached by appointments made by
teachers for the personal instruction OF
backward students. This is in the di-
rectiOn of the Batavia System" ac-
cording to which half of the teachers
time is given to individual teaching and
half to class recitations.
The jackson School
In February, 1906, the board author
lied the opening in the Jackson building
of a special school for boys who can
not be treated successfully under the
conditions of the ordinary school. The
25 boys who were enrolled in this school
received instruction in the usual branch
IS and in manual training IN the form
of woodworking. The Improvement
both in conduct and IN school work was
such as fully to justify the continued
operation of the school
Teachers.
The total number Of principals, super
visors and teachers employed during
the past year, including the State Street
and Quinton Heights schools, was 203.
These We're classified as follows:
High school principal and teachers,
54; elementary school principals and
teachers, 1855; director of manual train
ing, 1; supervisor of music. 1; supervisor
of drawing, l.
There is reason for great satisfaction
in the fact that among the teachers OF
the Topeka schools there are n grad
yates of our own high school who by
their public service as teachers are
ma king direct return to the city for
the educa tiOnal advantages which they
have themselves enjoyed. Many of
these have pursued higher courses Of
study in normal school, university, and
college. OF the total number of teachers
40 are permanent residents of the city.
The professional spirit among the
teachers is commendable. In accord
ance with the rules of the board pro-
fessional studies are carried on each
year as condition for the renewal of
certificates. A considerable number of
the teachers are enrolled as students in
the summer classes OF colleges and uni
studies. At least 20 teachers have avail
ed themselves of such opportunities
during the present summer vacation.
During the past year q course of uni
versity extension lectures on literary
subjects was given before the teachers
and a similar course on Japan, Her
History and People, will be given next
October.
Too much cannot be said in common
dation of the faithful and efficient ser
vice of those who have so successfully
carried on the actual work in the school
rooms. There are many instances of
superior merit and the average is high.
The superintendent is in full sympathy
with the efforts of the board to increase
the compensation of teachers, believing
that an increase in compensation should
be made not only as a matter Of justice
to the teachers but as direct means of
benefiting the schools
In conclusion the superintendent de-
sires to express his personal apprecia-
ton Of the encoura cement and support
which have been given him by the
members of the board of education dur
ing the past year. The problems which
must be worked out by the board are
many and perplexfng and require sound
Judgment and far sighted wisdom. The
present excellent condition of the
schools is evidence of the wisdom with
which the governing body has made its
plans, and gives abundant promise for
the future.
PLAN FOR A FLAT RATE.