The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-28
Evidently That Is What Super.
intendents Think.
Would Have Fewer Studies,
Longer REGULATIONS.
EYE ON EXTRA SESSION
May Ask State Regulation for
Teachers Meetings.
Ihat Is If Governor HOch
Should Call One.

breathing the politics laden special
session atmosphere of Topeka seems to
nave mad Its effect of the school teach
ers Oh the state who have been in ses-
sion at their annual meeting since
christmas day. At any rate a special
session" was the result this morning.
though 1T was dignifled by the appel-
iation, "A conference of institute work.
ers and county superintendents."
me meeting was the first of its kind
ever held in Kansas, though State Sup
erlntendent Fairchild is of the opinion
tnat the session held this morning Is
the nrst OF many annual events of the
kind which will be held by the educa-
Tors OF the state in years to follow.
The meeting" was the most important
OF any held during the week." said
superintendent Fairchild, "and 1 feel
that it will prove the opening wedge to
an advanced institute educational sys-
tenn in the state.
The meeting this morning was nee
essarily so short that but a bare out
line of it's purposes could be made but
the plans mapped out can be executed
In the future and cannot fail to be of
great assistance to county superintend-
ents and institute workers. This state
has never offered an opportunity
whereby the institute workers and
county superintendent could meet and
compare notes. 1t is true that the coun-
" super1ntendents have held annual
meetings from time to time but the in
st1tute workers who have been identi-
ned with the same class of work have
not been included
Are the lessons too long?" was a
matter of vital Importance, to the pu-
pills at least which was disposed of by
one prolonged mo" when the matter
was put to a vote of the teachers and
superintendents and the Indications are
that they will be heightened rather
than shortened If the vote this morn
ing is to be used as criterion.
The opinion of those who expressed
indicates that the teachers of the state
favor fewer studies for each instruc-
tor with longer recitation periods. A
thorOughneSs lin the studies handled,
rather that a larger number of studies
SKINNED through and passed without
proper conception of the subject mat
ter.
Forty minute recitations are favored
with not more than five classes for one
instructor, this tending towards a more
thorough discussion of the branch
studied; Instead of permitting a stud
ent or teacher to load up with from 10
to Is different branches they are to be
limited to five studies.
Elementary agriculture will be-
come one of the branches taught in
the schools of the state IL the ideas of
the instructors who met this morning
are to be regarded as of sufficient i'm
portance to warrant the innovation. A
dual course was suggested for All in
stitute work, TO include all branches
touched upon at the sessions of the
country institute work.
1t was the intention when the meet
ing was called this morning to close
the work before l L o'clock as many of
the city on trains leaving about the
noon hour, but when the subjects for
discussion were read all plans were
changed. When the noon hour arriv-
ed not over half the subjects which
were TO have been considered had
been touched upon and had not the
gag rule been applied when some
anxious member made motion to
there is no telling how long
the session might have lasted.
When the motion to adjourn was
made Superintendent Fairchild imme-
diately adjourned the meeting with
out putting the question to vote
though impromptu discussions held
many of the teachers in representative
hall until long after the dinner hour.
The matter of an appropriation from
the state to pay the expenses of teach
ers' attending the state meeting was
discussed at length this morning.
If Governor Hoch decides to call A
special session of the legislature the
teachers of the state will have such
bill prepared and introduced. They
claim that as the state at large re-
ceives the benefit of their attendance
at these meetings that the expenses
should be met by an appropriation for
the expenses incurred if not salary
for the time taken in attending.
While not one OF the largest meet
ings ever held by the teachers OF the
state, the one just closed has been by
long odds the most interesting from
every standpoint, 1t departed from
the old lines which for years past
have governed such meetings and the
result was many radical changes
which the association as a body feels
will be greatly beneficial.