Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-16


multiplication of educational organiza-
tons and association for the advance
ment of various departments of teaching,
while a significant mark of educational
life and progressive activity, has now
some upon the great body OF ambitious
teachers.
Simplihcatiohs has now become a duty
and steps should he taken towards n re-
ductior Of the number of meetings and
coordination of the various depart
ments of professional activity in such n
way as to make less demand upon the
time and energy of the individual teacher
and at the same time make more effect
i've the work of each organization. To
such Il movement the American institute.
with ITS memorable history and high
traditions may we'll lend its Influence
and through its officers take such meas
ures as may he found feasible toward
af1liation with other educational or
ganizations Of New England
Resolved. That we commend all ef-
forts to preserve to every child n more
extended period of education. We call
for the more general and moro effec-
tive enforcement Of compulsory al
tendance laws. for their extension TO
those defective or unfortunate children
who are now practically exempt from
their provisions; and for the more
general enactment and enforcement of
laws making a certain modicum of edu-
cational attainment a prerequisite to
employment
We recognize tho consequent duty
Of adjusting the instruction of the
schools moro directly to tho needs Of
that class Of children who hitherto
have left school at IN carly age.
Resolved. THAT We recognize the i'm
portancc of tho movement toward in
dustrial education and commend
the tendency toward cooperation be-
tween teachers and employers in the
effort to solve the problems arising
from this movement.
Resolved. That the two most funda
mental needs of tho public school are
tn" securing of higher order of
teachers and the securing of them In
larger numbers 80 that each may
deal with a smaller number Of pupils
and may thus deal with them in a
more personal way Tho opportunity
50 to deal with personality will itself
be an inducement to attract into the
service of teaching men and women
who possess the essential spirit Of
the teacher While therefore we com
mend every effort to secure to teach
ers larger pecuniary reward and
Will" We believe that the time has
come for every state to fix a mini
mum below which local roactionaries
may not reduce the wage Of a teacher
We believe that improved teaching
conditions, improvcI professional
training and improved efficiency arc
the most direct way to improved COM
pcnsation, and that the question be-
fore every teacher. as ultimately be-
fore the child and the man. must ever
be. not what doth it profit me, but
what service shall | render?
Resolved, that while We note with
satisfaction the increa sed attention given
by the schools to the child in his natural
and spontaneous activities in when are
exercised the powers of his being
physical mental. moral, and while
Intellectual resourcefulncss and technical
skill are rightly emphasized as educa-
tional results. we would still remind our
selves that education is fundamen ally
a spiritual process that the successes and
failures of men are largely due to defects
ia spiritual qualities; that 1t Is therefore
of the highest importance that all the
activities which are being brought within
the scope of the modern school shall
bring into exercise those qualities of the
spirit which are essential to the highest
success: that ones attitude toward his
tast = as Significant rs J is skill for -
performance. that the essential basis
IF commercial education Is commercial
hono'; that tn. your instinct and team
play can Justify recognition in the
curriculum only as they develope
spirit of cooperation and a loyalty that
extends beyond the boundary of the
gang; that the aim of physical training
is to prepare fit temple for the in
dwelling spirit; and that the proof Of
the genuineness of an education is that
undomitablc spirit which make of every
vicissitude stepping stone toward the
tmore abundant life.
1t was moved that the report Of the
committee on resolutions be adopted and
incorporated in the annual report of the
convention.
The next business was the reading Of
the report of the committee on utilization
of New England educational as
sociations by Charles I. {, Whit
comb of Broc ton. Mass, THIS
committee recommended. among other
things. that the American Institute of
| Instruction establish as a part OF its or
ganization departments Of which the
following suggestive list was given
kindergarten. elementary education, sec
opdar, edicatiOn normal schools. St
perin,endence. physical training and by
giene manual training and art. the num-
Der and subject of such departments to
be determined by the institute at its reg
ular meeting or 10 i,s board OF directors
at a regularly called meeting.
That any existing educational organi'
cation dealing with the subject of any
of these departments at the time when
said department is to be established be
asked to assume control of that depart
ment and continue from thcnceforward
it's life as department OF the American
institute. Among such organizations we
would name the New England Superin-
tendents' association, the High and Clas-
steal School Teachers association, the
Eastern Kindergarten association.
That the American Institute of lnstruc-
ton hold biennial sessions, provided the
board OF directors can arrange with the
various State teachers association of New
England to hold biennial sessions alter
mating with those of the A. |. l. and
that the board of directors be instructed
to proceed at once to make such propo-
sition TO the State associations in New
England and urge its adoption.
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