Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-25
FOR BETTER SCHOOLS.
Educators Declare For Broader Sys.
tenn, Training for Citizenship anc
Better Teachers.

The following declaration was adopted
by the national Education Association in
Convention at Denver
The National Education Association,
now holding its FOrty-seventh Annual
Convention in Denver, representing
teachers and friends of education in
every state of the Union, makes the fol-
lowing Declaration of Principles and Aims:
Il. A free democracy cannot long con-
tinue without the assistance of a system
of state-supported schools, administered
by the chosen agents of the people and
responsible to the people for its ideals, it's
conduct, and it's results. The commanding
position of the American people is large
| ly due to the general diffusion of knoWl-
edge and culture by it's free schools.
- Our system of statesupported
schools must include elementary schools,
secondary schools, schools for the train
| ing of teachers. and state universities
The changed conditions of the twentieth
century also demand the establishment of
free schools whose purpose shall be the
| training of our youth for commerce and
the industries, as well as for the profess
SionS.
''3. The purpose of our system of free
common schools must continue to be chief
| ly cutpre for the Individual and the trans
mission to poSterty of the results of in
lvestigations and deliberations of the past
| Our free schools must advance along the
lines of educational democracy in the
sense that they must provide equal edu-
cational opportunities for all. Although
| they must give practical preparation not
only for the professions, but also for COM
mercial life, the demands of any part of
the business world that courses of study
| be SubOrdinated to particular interests is
not in accord with the proper aims of a
national system of common schools.
| a. a system of common schools that
will meet the needs of the times must be
democratic in its purpose and its admin
istration: must recognize the Importance
of expert supervision, of better and more
numerous high schools, of better and
| more numerous schools for the training
of teachers, of a merit system for the
appointment and promotion of teachers;
and it must exclude fraternities and Sc
icret organizations of every sort from the
:Social life of the school.
| .. The common schools of our country
| must recognize more fully than ever the
necessity of training our youth for cit-
ZehShlp. The perpetuatlon of democracy
depends upon the existence in the people
or that habit of will which is justice.
Liberty under law is the process for at
tanning justice which has thus far been
most successful among civilized men.
| ne call to citizenship is call to the
exercise of liberty under law, call to
the limitation of liberty by law. and call
10 the pursuit of justice, not only for
ones self but for others.
| b. The National Education Association
endorses the purpose of the American
School of Peace League. The Association
believes that the principles of the League
will make for effective citizenship. and
urges all teachers to acquaint themselves
with the work of the League and to CO.
operate with it.
-. The increased tendency to conges-
ton of population in cities makes neces-
sary greater and more systematic atten-
ton to the physical development of our
children. No vigorous race of people has
long maintained a high state of civliza-
ton under conditions that did not take
into consideration the physical as we'll as
the mental and moral development of its
Iyouth. Inc Association recommends that
provision be made by the United States
Bureau OF Education for effective pro-
motion of physical education through the
diffusion OF scientific information on this
subject
| 49, The National Education Associa-
ton approves the ever increasing demand
for better qualified teachers in the COM
mon schools. This higher standard must
lead logically to a longer tenure and to a
compensation more nearly commensurate
with the quality of preparation and with
the nature of the service rendered.
| y. The National Education Associa
ton heartily endorses the use of schoo
buildings and all school equipment for
community interests and social betterment
10 The National Education Associa.
tion endorses the movement to consolidate
the rural district schools wherever prac.
tlcable. and expresses the hope that this
movement Will be encouraged until the
children of rural communities enjoy the
benefits of public education to an extent
lapproXmatinS those now supplied to chill
dIen of urban communities
II. The National Education Associa
ton gives its hearty endorsement to the
work of the National Bureau of Educa
ton, the Carnegie Foundation, the Gen
ttions, institutions and organize TONS tina
iare working to devotion the alrca fiona