The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-08

seem committed to the policy of dlstri-
bnting State funds in such way that
local effort will ic stimulated and in
some Very fragrant cases. guaranteed
1t begins to look as IL soms officials.
who care about as much for the public
schools as they do for an old hat or
a dependent relative. will have to sit
up and take notice.
TechnIcaI Part.
II was greatly Interested IN what
might be called the technical or purely
pedagogical part of the associations
work. DR.. Heck's discussion of ..Fa-
tigue,H school Incentives as ;trented
By DR. Messenger, Principal Painter
and PrincipalChandler, and the Train
ing of Teachers as discussed by the
new professor OF pedagogy in William
and Mary College, suggested to ME the
idea- that heSassociatIon ought to give
itself the pleasure of hearing Il few
purely technical speeches every year
How would it dosto give the professors
of pedagogy III our normal schools. or
n special period? Itwould
benefit these teachers, benefit their
and greatly benefit those
who attend the annual gatherings.
Z The conference of preparatory
schools and colleges, the conference of,
principals. the conference Of rural
school teachers. and the conference of
primary teachers. illustrate the point
Il am making. All OF the discussions
In these conferences were more OF. less
technical. and they We're attended by
large and enthusiastic audiences. The
actual work OF the schoolroom, meth
DDS and theories, in the hands of ex-
perts, and discussions OF standards and
requirements, are exceedingly inter-
.esting to teachers.
Dwelling for moment longer on
these special conferences. it is prob
ably slifticiep. TO say that the standard
of requirements for high schools occu-
pied the Chief place in theldeliberations
OF the high school and college men;
the standard of requirements for pri-
mary and grammar schools received
much attention in tho rural school
teachers conferences; the administra-
tive functions of the head of tho school
and the departmental system In gram
mar grades We're in the forefront
among the principals. and expert smeth-
DDS, exhibited as we'll as described,
delighted the primary teachers
s On every hand one could see the most
loyal attachment TO the principle OF
home rule and hearty desire ON the
part of every official to serve his peo-
interest the people take In school
work the better the results. I'VE must
have q closer cooperation between M
rents and teachers" said the, superin-
ltendents and the trustees uttered the
same sentiment with great emphasis.
The teachers pledged themselves 10
assist in the formation OF citizens
Leagues and all We're agreed that too
much credit could not be given to Mrs.
II. n. Dashiell and Mr.. J. Kent tRnwley
for the good work they have done in,
arousing the people 10 take Il lliols.
active interest in their schools.
" Considering the rich results attained
by its representative, Mr.. IT,. @. Sandy,
In the matter@of demonstration farms
and the growth and good work of tho
citizens leagues one could safely say
that the outlook OF the Cn-opemltive
Education Association WIS exceedingly
hrlRll and encouraging. NH @
s Tho great size of the conference ana
the large number OF special meetings
brnught about the consideration of a
vast number Of subjects, This may
have heens the element OF weu kness In
tho conference yet one could plainly
.sqegtbat the leaders were E8weIl greed
upnng limited number OF tietlnits
preparations that should receive iinme-
date attention, the others to ren;,in
for Further reconsideration possibly IN
future conferences. Chief among tlls
limited number OF urgent needs one
might mention hotter pnid and better
trained teachers, u better type Of
school buildings, more definite courses
of study, and closer supervision.
$780, M "