Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-23
Much Criticism and Dissatis-
faction With Township Unit
of School Government
CONFERENCE At CLEVELAND
Endorsement of State School Commits
sion Composed Principally Of Edu-
Gators One Of Principal Features Of
conference-New Resolutions Passed
Many Representatives.
spec,a, to Times-Republican.

Iowa City. July "a severe criti-
cism and evident dissatisfaction with
the township unit OF school govern
ment; the endorsement OF a state
school commission composed princl-
pally Of educators; the closer super
vision Of the rural schools and of the
schoo! census; together with the care
FIJI registration Of teachers certificates
and the rigid enforcement of the COM
pulsory school laws Of the several
states were the principal features OF
the conference of the representatives
of the school commissions of the states
of Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Kan
sas and Washington, at Cleveland. 0.
This conference finally adjourned
after passing the following resolutions,
which will be used as a sort of group
of guiding stars during the coming re-
vision Of the school laws in the states
mentioned above:
/. Any plan for the certfficat1on OF
teachers shall recognize and place
premium upon academic and profess
sional preparation for teaching with a
view of encouraging such preparation.
2. After admission into the teaching
profession. and continuation or renew
al of g. teaching certificate shall de-
pend upon successful experience and
professional growth rather than recur-
rent examinations.
3. Certificates Of higher grade shall
be issued in recognition of continued
professional growth and successful
experience.
4. There should be interstate recog-
milton Of state certificates and diplo-
mas of recognized normal schools, col
leges and universities.
5. we believe that the state should
encourage high standards of eff
ficiency in all grades Of public schools
by granting special state aid to all
rural, graded and high schools, which
reach certain standards in equipment
and teaching force.
6. Concerning the state appropria-
tons for the use Of public schools; 1t
| is the sense of the members of these
state commissions, that not less than
one fourth Of the cost of maintaining
the schools Of state shall come from
the state treasury, and that, when the
major corporation of a state cannot be
taxed by the school districts, but pay
taxes to the state only. not less than
one half Of the expense of maintaining
the schools of the state should come
| from the state treasury Of the state
school funds.
| Professor F. E. Bolton Of Iowa City,
| the chairman of the Iowa state COM
mission, together with Attorney Arthur
Springer of Wapello, and Attorney
VIM. H. Bailey, of Des Moines, the 9TH
err two members, were present at this
important conference in Cleveland, o.
Representatives from Pennsylvania,
Illinois, Kansas and Washington were
present as well as the United States
commissioner of education, Mr.. Brown.
Each of these states will revise its
school laws within the next few years
and have commissioners appointed to
| take charge of the work. Professor
Bolton. chairman of the Iowa commits
sion, is particularly adapted to the
work as he is the head of the depart
ment of education at the State Uni
versity of Iowa at Iowa City, and has
been a leader in school work for many
years. The other members are WELL
known attorneys and are expected to
make a draft of the new laws which
will meet with the immediate approval
Of the Iowa assembly.
| During the conference many Of the
commissioners expressed great dissat-
isfaction with the single school district
government. The Independent school
district was said not to be especially
good and some states expressed the
] determination to wipe out the indie