Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-12-13
SCHOOL TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

wasSheld in the court room on Saturday
morning last with large attendance.
President EIdridge read passage Of
Scripture and lead in the Lords prayer.
After the minutes Of the last meeting were
read, Treasurer Steelman read the annual
report showing balance Of $96 70 in the
book or library fund and $1,000 in the
Association fund AS there was so large a
balance Mr.. Steelman moved that the Soc
assessment for library be RENTED this year,
which was carried The same gentleman
then moved that the teachers expend SOC,
per year additional for educational papers.
This too was adopted.
The following officers were elected -
President VIM. H. Eldridge.
Vice President, Fleetwood.
Secretary, Handle.
Financial Secretary, John Tharp.
Treasurer, Steelman.
Executive Committee, H. G. Dixon,
Burns, Ella Klock.
Mr.. Eldridge then introduced Mr.. Senser
of the State Department Of Public Instruc-
ton who told the teachers what was doing
in the line Of higher education.
1t was mistake Of the early educators
to apply the name High School to the last
four years of the public school course of
twelve years. He said there was need for
twelve years school training to prepare for
the work that will confront future citizens
Of the Republic.
Important steps are to be taken in deal
ing with work in these courses.
The law made it necessary to have an
academic training to enter the professions
The graduate Of medical school cannot
practice his profession in N Jersey who has
not completed the twelve years public
school course, and he had no doubt that it
would soon be extended to law and dentis-
try. New York State now has such a
law.
He referred to specific course Of imperfect
teaching in many so-called high schools Of
the State, and told how utterly worthless
to the student were the diplomas issued
therefrom 1t was the effort to make the
certificate Of any of the three grades of
schools in this State worth something to
the holder thereof.
The remedy for these imperfect high
schools is combination In some town
ships there must be central school in
which the requirements can be met and
met right. The State will give such town
ships almost twice as much money as ever
given before. The State will pay $25 to
every student transferred to high school,
and SIS for the grade students, 5000 to the
district that transfers to the central school.
To districts that maintain 10th and 18th
grade schools, $500 for each teacher en-
ployed therein, and $500 to each teacher
employed in four-year high school.
The State Board Of Education viii fix a
a 4-year. Swear. 2-year and 1-year high
school shall be.
four-year high school must have at
least one 4-year course approved by the
State Board of Education with at least
three teachers, who must be competent, and
the State Board will be the judge. The
building must be approved. If science is
to be Taught it must have well equipped
laboratory and library Of reference books.
For Swear high school, the same re-
quirements as to course of study, building
and equipment, with two teachers.
For 2-year high school one teacher and
half the time Of the supervising principal
For 9th grade school, one teacher, under
approved conditions.
Diplomas are issued only to those who
complete IL years, but the certificate Of
completion OF the course of either of the
other schools will be worth something to
the pupil. Now they are Of no value as a
passport to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. institutions
In the past, he said, the State had done
wrong to the pupils in the grades by
allowing teachers to undertake to teach
the grades and the high school pupils. The
grades always suffered.
How this scheme Will WORK ou6 IS the
problem Of the county superintendent, the
teachers are not expected to solve it.
circular, he said, had been sent to
every teacher about agricultural instruo-
tion in the public schools. How many of
you, he asked the teachers, ever say to your
pupils. Il want you to learn your lessons SO
y
farmer. =
Are you prepared, he asked the teachers,
to give your scholars such instructions
Turning to County Superintendent Ed
ridge, Mr.. Senser said he could spend $50
Of the 500 balance in the book fund in a
way to be of great benefit to the teachers
along chat line.
Farmers boys, he said, were going to the