Morris tribune., 1908-08-22

Une QlgnlUy or this country require
that this Bureau be maintained as an
independent department of the gov.
ernment.
/ Z. The National Education Associa-
ton notes with approval that the
| qualifications demanded of teachers
in the public schools are increasing
annually, and particularly that in
many localities special preparation is
demanded of teachers. The idea that
anyone with fair education can teach
school is gradually giving way to the
correct notion that teachers must
make special preparation. for the vo-
cation of teaching. The higher stand
ards demanded of teachers must lead
logically to higher salaries for teach
ers, and constant efforts should be
made by all persons interested in
| education to secure for teachers ade-
quate compensation for their work.
s. It is the duty of the state to
provide for the education of every
child within its borders, and to see
that all children obtain the rudiments
of an education. The constitutional
provision that all taxpayers must
contribute to the support of the pub
lie schools logically carries with it the
implied provision that no persons
should be permitted to defeat the pur-
poses of the public school law by fore
ing their children, at an early age, to
become bread winners. To this end
the child labor and truancy laws
should be so harmonized that the edu-
cation of the child, not it's labor, shall
be made the chief concern.
9. The National Education Associa-
ton indorses the increasing use of
school buildings for free vacation
schools and for free evening school
and lecture courses for adults, and for
children who have been obliged to
leave the day school prematurely.
We also approve of the use 'of
school grounds for play grounds and
and the use of school gymnasiums
and bath rooms for the benefit of the
children in the crowded districts dur
ing summer.
10. Local taxation, supplemented
by state taxation, presents the best
means for the support of the public
schools, and for securing that deep
interest in them which is necessary to
their greatest efficiency. State aid
should be granted only as supplement
tary to local taxation, and not as a |
substitute for it. Il
II. The National Education AS
sociation observes with great salts
faction the tendency of cities and
towns to replace large school COM
mittees or boards which have exer-
cised executive functions thru sub
committees, by small boards which
determine general policies, but intrust
all executive functions to salaried ex
perts.
12. We cannot too often repeat
that close, intelligent, judicious super
vision is necessary for all grades of
schools.
13. The rapid establishment of
rural high schools and the consolida-
tion of rural district schools are most
gratifying evidences of the progress
of education. We believe that this
should be encouraged until
the children of rural communities en-
JOY the benefits of public education to
an extent approximating as nearly as
practicable the education furnished in
urban communities.
\ IA. The National Education AS
sociation wishes to record its approval
of the increasing appreciation among
educators of the fact that the bnilding
Of character is the real aim of the
schools and the ultimate reason for
the expenditure of millions for their
maintenance. There are in the minds
of the children and youth of today
tendency toward disregard for con
stituted authority, lack of respect
for age and superior wisdom, weak
of the demands of duty,
q disposition to follow pleasure and
interest rather than obligation and
order. This condition demands the
earliest thought and action of our
leaders of opinion and places import
ant obligations upon school boards,
and teachers.
Is. 1t is apparent that familiarity
with the English Bible as a master
piece of literature it rapidly decreas-
ing among the pupils in our schools.
This is the direct result of a concep-
ion which regards the Bible as a
theological book merely, and thereby
eads to its exclusion from the schools
If some states as a subject of reading
= al,