The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-07-07
INSTITUTE DATES
TEACHERS MAKING Ex-
 TENsIvE PREPARATIONS.
Uniform Handbook, Containing sug- gestions for Conduct of Insti- tute Is About Ready To Be
 Distributed.

Having had a short respite from the University Summer School labors, the teachers of Alabama are now turning to the Congressional Institutes, for which preparations are rapidly ma king. Information which has reached Hon. W. F. Feagin. Chief Clerk of the Department of Education. Indicates that the dates for all Institutes yet to be held have been selected to range be- tween August 16 and August 2S. with the exception of the Ninth District. which, 1t has been definitely settled. will be held September 6-18.
 The naming of dates and selection of cities or towns in which the institutes will be held are matters for decision solely of the conductors of the respect i've institutes In some cases they have made their selections finally; in others they have chosen dates and places con- ditionaliy. Enough is certain. how ever, to assure all teachers that no dates will fall outside August 16-2s, except for the Ninth District.
 It Is understood that the conductors will pursue a policy adopted by the Department of Education which last year, construing the law for the. first time. directed the institutes to be held at the points offering the most money to supplement the States standing ap- propriation. This latter fund is s133.33 for each of the nine Congressional Dis- tricts of Alabama. Of course, the points selected will be reasonably locat- ed for the convenience of the maJor- ity of teachers sought to be served.
 It Is said that while sio0 in each district is asked for as minimum sub scrfption of citizens. in some instances $500 and S400 has been offered. This, of course. guarantees longer period of lectures and a more varied program
 It was announced yesterday that the uniform hand book containing sug- gestions for the conduct of The insti . tutes is about ready to be issued from the hands of the special committee re- gently appointed for the purpose. and will be available for use by the con- ductors in ample time.
 The purpose of Hon. Harry .. Gum nels, State Superintendent of Educa- ton, Is this year and hereafter to iS- sue certificates to all teachers who show that they attended the Congress. sional Institutes. The records show that no less than 1,s2l teachers attend ed the institutes last year and all counties were represented in the list.
 The keen interest and activity of Alabama school teachers in the vaca- tion months Is taken by Superintend. ent Gunnels as an index of the thor ough foundation on which education Is building in this State. It is the pur- pose of the Department to continue the campaign for properly equipping the teachers at the present high pitch.
 The applicants for teachers certifi- cates in the regular semi annual ex- aminations being conducted for Mont gomery County in the Capitol spent a hot second day yesterday. Through the pores of their skin dripped copious precipitation as they sat answering the big scale of questions propounded by the State Board. There are about 12O applicants in this county, a little less than the banner year of 1908 July ex- aminations. but showing a higher ratio of whites.