Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-20
Legislature Will Pass Law Pro.
viding For Teaching of Agri-
culture in Rural Schools
WILL BE MADE COMPULSORY
Teachers Pursuing Courses in State
Colleges to Be Prepared for This
Branch of instruction - Other States
Have Similar Laws in Operation
Optional County High Schools.
Special to Times-Republican.

| Special to Times-Republican
agriculture in the rural schools of
Iowa is to be very important part
of the progressive reform policy of the
next decade. Whatever else may be
! done with educational matters it seems
now certain that the present legisla-
ture will make such teaching of the
rudiments of agriculture compulsory
and set a date in the future for the
| commencement of the work.
An entire new bill is being drafted
which will require that in courses of
study preparatory for teachers at Co
dar Falls, Ames and Iowa City, the
work of educating teachers for instruc-
ton in agriculture shall be commenced
at once. and then that after the lapse
of ilxed time, say commencing in
about three or four years. 1t will lie
required of teachers as part of their
examination that they shall be COM
petent to teach this study.
The plan to aid private schools and
colleges in this preparatory work by
assigning to each such institution
property accredited for normal work u
special teacher on state pay. is to be
dropped A committee consisting of the
presidents of Drake, Iowa and Simp-
son considered this matter. but after
consultation with members 1t was
agreed that the time is not ripe for
this step But the work is to be COM
menced in the state educational instf-
buttons.
The feature that will cause most dis
cussion will be that of now making the
teaching of agriculture compulsory In
the schools after few years in which
to get the teachers ready. To many
of the members this looks like a radi-
cal step But it is pointed out that
many other states have taken the lead,
as for instance Texas. where such
teaching is now required even tho there
was no time for preparation.
The only other step likely to be TAX
en- at this time is that of providing a
a county high school especially for the
5lSdSIilIlS vi GS 81 anu AAleiAA'Asti
trades AS this would leave the matter
in the hands of the people entirely,
there can be little urged against it;
but the general plan for establishment
of one or number of agricultural
high schools with state aid can hardly
set thru the legislature.
The Van Law bill to provide free
admission to the collegiate departments
of the State University of Iowa, the
state college of agriculture and me-.
chanic arts at .Ames, and the State
Normal School at Cedar Falls, is as
follows:
.That all residents of the state of
Iowa, over the age of 10 years. and
under the age of 80 years, shall be
admitted to all the privileges and adj
vantages of the various classes of the
collegiate department of the State I'm
iversity of Iowa, the State College CT
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at
Anes and the State Normal School
at Cedar Falls. without the payment
Of tuition; provided, that each appii-
cant for admission therein shall pos
sess such scholastic attainments and
mental and moral qualifications as
shall be prescribed in rules adopted
and established by the governing board
Of each OF said institutions Of learn
ing; and provided further, that this
act shall not be construed to prevent
The governing board of each of said in
situations of learning from collecting
The actual and necessary expenses Cor
supplies furnished students in the lab
lratories thereof"