The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-08-26
TRAINED TEACHERS
IN RURAL SCHOOLS
Special Qualifications, How
ever, Demand Salaries of
Fair Sort.
NORMAL COURSE NEEDED
CORRESPONDENT OF THE PAL
LADiUM WHO BELIEVES THAT
PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE
MADE IN STATE SCHOOL.

Editor Palladium We need more
trained teachers if our schools are to
improve. One district is as much en-
titled to a trained teacher as another,
regardless of the number of pupils.
If any district or corporation is I'M
able to pay a trained teacher it is the
duty Of the State to lend financial aid.
If we demand special preparation up
on the part of the teacher, we must
guarantee that we Will pay a reason
able salary to those who make such
preparation. If all teachers should be
required to complete a course in a
normal school, the state must make
provisions for increased normal
school facilities. The normal school
problem is one of the first that pre-
sents itself for solution.
A few years ago a plan was propos-
ed to increase normal school facilities
with little additional expense to the
State. This plan seemed feasible and
is favored by many prominent educa-
tors in the state.
The State Normal now accepts
IIOllI IouI pIIfe ttC iiCi iiifiios
making it necessary for students to
do one years resident work in the
State Normal School in order to
graduate. These schools are:
The Northern Indiana. Normal
School, Valparaiso, the Tri-State Nor
NAL, Angola, Central Normal College,
Danville and the Marion Normal Col
lege, Marion. These institutions are
sending out Thousands of students
who are teaching in our public
schools. All of these schools do more
or less professional work Some hav-
ing professional training schools in
which creditable work is done.
Students who complete the course
in these institutions are successful
teachers.
But the course in these schools are
not uniform. The state does not rec
ognize them in her plan of organiza-
ton, although the various State in
do recognize the efficiency
of work done in them and gives full
credit to their graduate students. So
while the State does not recognize
these private institutions in theory,
she does in practice.
Now if the general assembly would
pass law enabling the State Board
of Education to prepare a professional
course of study for these institutions,
and appoint board of supervisors to
see that the course is carried out
no doubt each school would
revise its present course and make
it uniform in every particular with
hn nv fot a
Board.
This done, the State Board could
issue certificates to graduates from
these institutions permitting them to
teach any where in the state without
examination. This plan would give
to the normal school work
and place it practically under State
This would furnish an adequate sup
ply of trained professional teachers.
Now tie next thing to be done should
be some legislation along the line of
trustees.
We have few good school men for
trustees, most of them good men but
not good trustees.
A farmer or mechanic, except in
the head of our township schools.
They are not to blame however, we
who vote them to the exaulted posi-
toni might say almost sacred po-
at fault. a man who uses
this Office for his own aggrandize-
ment is a criminal of the blacklist
dye Not consciously perhaps, but
nevertheless it is criminal to place
those very cadaverous looking people
i mean physical as we'll as mental
~ cadaverous looking before our
young children at teachers. AS in
spirators of all that has in our child
rens minds.
A good trustee means more to the
township, is more to the township, is
closer to us. his official acts affect us
more, and is more lasting to us and
our postarity than any other official
in the State of Indiana today.
Then should we not have some leg
islation along the line of selecting our
trustees.
All that is required now of them
is to get enough votes TO elect him.
No question as TO his fitness.