Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-11-19
IF HE SCH DOL 5 ARE
o. X"

The conclusion OF the Milwaukee
Journal is that the public schools Of
Wisconsin continue to improve. 1t
holds that it is a sign of progress
that teachers in their annual gather
ings are wont to point out the defects
Of the public school system rather
than indulge 10 fulsome praise of the
system. On the occasion of the recent
meeting of the Wisconsin state teach
ers' association, in Milwaukee, The
Journal contained the following edi-
torial article, which is full of wisdom
and kindly admonition:
Zone does not realize what fear
full public school system exists in
Wisconsin until he mas followed one
Of the annual meetings of the teachers
association. Then he realizes it in
all its force.
"A stranger unacquainted with the
actual conditions in the state would
gather from the speeches made before
the convention that the schools Of the
state and the children who attend
them and the homes the children come
from were in bad way. 1t appears
that the primary courses are not what
they ought TO be, that the studies of
the higher grades are too theoretical,
and the high schools are mere feeders
OF the universities and colleges. 1t
seems that the home training is made
quate, the boys too knowing, and
the girls too ignorant, etc. 1t is
evident that this thing is wrong, and
that the other thing is wrong. 1t is
clear, in short, that the whole system
is OUT of joint and must be remedied
Immediately unless young America is
to be allowed to 90 to the dogs.
"Thesc are the conclusions stran-
ger would most certainly come to
from listening to the annually express
scd teachers opinions.
LEST those who are somewhat
ignorant of the real situation should
arrive at the same conclusion. The
Journal hastens to inform them there
is still hope. Teachers like to find
fault occasionally like other people,
and the annual convention is about
the only real chance they get to do so.
Therefore, they make the most OF
their opportunity. We do not mean
to suggest for a moment that the
pedagOgues are not sincere in their
kicks, or that they have no cause for
kicking. Far from it, The school
system is finite like the rest of human
institutions and accOmplishes only
approximately what it aims to do.
Moreover, with the rapid change of
modern economic and social cOndi-
tiOns, the demands upon the schools
change, and the schools are somewhat
slow in meeting these new demands.
They follow from afar, so to speak, and
they always will. Human ideals and
concepts must change before human
institutions can. No the teachers see
real faults, which it is natural that
they want to remedy. They will, too, in
time. But these faults aired at the an
nuaI pedagogic talk tests should not
discourage the citizens of the state or
make them binp to the wonderful
improvements which the educational
system of Wisconsin has brought
about. For the che whose future
chances of success in life it may be
injuring, it is turning out thirty to
forty who are better able to cope with
the world because OF it.
"The danger does not lie in fault
finding, but in lack of it. So long as
teachers and citizens can and do pick
flaws in the present system so long
will it continue to improve. When
interest is succeeded by indifference,
and criticism 10y fulsome praise, then
the state should begin to trembIe for
the future of her schools.
"Therefore, let us be glad that the
teachers are talking as they are. 1t is
the best Indication of healthy, live,
vital school system for which the peO-
pie of Wisconsin could ask"