The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1908-01-10
EDUCATIONAL MEETING
Held at Seattle Last Week Was
Largely Attended.
Over 1000 Educators Present. N
Interesting Papers Read.

| tendent Showalter Of Whitman county
on Desired Changes in the School Law
From the Standpoint OF the County
| Superintendent
Over 1000 educators OF the state were
in attendance at this meeting, and seve-
raj notable addresses were delivered,
Mr.. Showalter being among the favored
ones asked to address the meeting
Below is given a brief synopsis of his
remarks
To a large degree our laws are the
written requisites believed to be neces-
sary to govern the conditions and cir
cumstances that have arisen during the
various stages of our development. 1t
is true that there are certain fixed prin-
ciples that always remain the same, but
so long as we are progressive and in a
stage of real development our laws will
have to be revised to meet the ever
changing conditions that are sure to
confront US from time to time. Again.
while the basis OF all law is the same.
local conditions largely determine the
governing principles needed and to what
extent each shall be carried
As new conditions arise there ia a call
for such changes as will meet the neces-
sary requirements, and even though the
main part of the old law stands it NAV
be amended in such way as 60 materi
ally change its original meaning or to
give it far more reaching effect. Our
laws, then, as we find them today repre-
sent a grOwth-a growth of ideas as we'll
as change of circumstances and condi
tions-and to feel satisfied in every par
ticular would be mark OF unprOgres-
siveness.
The school code of our state was at
first principally a compilation from the
laws of the Older states, and as most OF
the principles had been thoroughly tested
we have had splendid basis Oh which
to build
Demands have been made on each
legislature to change or amend certain
sections that have been found incOm
plete or Ineffective, and some new feat
ures have been added when the popular
sentiment seemed to warrant the change
In the main the legislation has been very
good, and it il good thing, no doubt,
that not too much has been enacted at
one time. But there are a few things
that have had little consideration from
our law making body which are of prime
Importance to the state, and bear direct
ly on the entire educational system
shall, therefore, call attention to these
particular conditions, and from the
standpoint of county superintendent
believe them to be the changes most
necessary.
l. Cloeer supervision of rural schools
2. More nearly equal distribution Of
public funds.
g. More systematic administration OF
school affairs.
A. The enlargement OF the powers of
the state office so as to make it a greater
factor in educational affairs.
5. Changes in the plan OF certifcation
and an increase in the usefulness of our
normal schools to the state as a whole
Supervision Of Rural Schools.
An attempt will be made to give a
brief synopsis of the first topic only
"Supervision of the Rural SchooP'-be-
cause it is one of the great needs OF our
public school system and a condition
that has little consideration.
Our idea of education is universal
j. e., that every child should be given the
opportunity to receive the best possible
preparation for life, that the necessary
conditions be brought to the child, and
that it be made possible for the child to
accept it. OF course it is thoroughly
understood that there are conditions
which prevent it coming to each individ
exactly to the same degree, but it is in
tended so far as it is possible to give all
an equal chance. Ii it is agreed, then,
that this be true, we have but to take
careful survey OI our great Heiu VI WI
to see how utterly We are failing to real
ize all that was intended. Let Us be
honest, then, and place the measuring
rod to the system as whole, and not
simply to the parts that have made such
wonderful growth and advancement as
to overshadow even the most optimistic
expectations. Yes. our city and village
schools have grown and developed until
they have become the pride OF every loyal
citizen. The curriculum has been made
sufficiently broad that the innate nature
OF each child can be developed in way
to give it the best there is for it III life.
| The successful and best trained teachers
have been placed in charge of the work.
Specialists and special supervisory have