The Mena weekly star., 1910-01-06
SCHOOLS AS THEY EXIST AND HOW TO MAKE THEM BETTER WRITTEN ESPECIALLY TRAINER,
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1t, there can be no question. HOW necessary it is to give him good forms aud good instruction.
 When the group examinations are over, all pupils who have made credltable tests in them should be requested to meet at the county seat Cor some other more convenient locality) for the purpose of taking an annual or final examination covering the whole of the eighth grade course and for the purpose of passing this grade to the ninth. A new set of questions covering the eig hth year course are now pre- senled and the applicants are again examined, graded and ranked.
 A we'll designed certificate of rank in class should be presented each pupil, showing his standing in the county as compared with those who have taken the same examination at the same date.
 This certificate of rank in class should admit all above a certain per cent to the ninth grade in any high school in the state or ln his home school if provision is made for teaching the branches re- quired by law.
 Records.
 Under the present routine of school work, no record is kept of the progress and standing of the pupil. This is wrong; the standing of the pupil should be ln some permanent form for ready reference, not only for others in- terested, but for the inspection of pupils themselves.
 Under the plan of work recom- mended for the county, three rec ords are necessary to keep a com plete exhibit of the pupils prog ress from the time he enters the ung-aded school until he leaves it, viz The record kept by the teacher of the monthly examina- tions and those kept by the ex- amiuer in the central or group examina tions and of final or an nual tests. The teachers record can be entered in the daily regis ter, but the centrals and tiuals should be entered in book kept for the purpose.
 Annual Exercises.
 Annual exercises of some kind could be profitably held at the central school on the day, or the evening of the examination, Such exercises should consist ol zougs from the various schools, readings from individual mem bers of the several schools, es' says, declarations, bebates (ths latter from the teachers or school officers), etc. Talks from the ex' aminers, patrons; teachers, etc. upon some phase of school worl should be had, thus tending tt popularize the free school system of our state. It is believed tha such exercises would have gooC effect upon the public generally and upon those who have partici pated in the examinations. A reading by one of the pupils fo. i lowed by a lively address from some good speaker has lenden cy to popularize the system O common school education, and en courage those who are to b. taught as we'll as those who teach School Exhibits.
 Since Polk county has an an nual fair it would be well to ex hibit the work of the schools O the county. It should be ar easy matter to secure such, wher' there is anything like system il the examinations in the hands 0 the teacher, the centrals and thu finals in the hands of the examin CTS; or there could be uniform ranks, diagrams, drawing ant various special exhibits prepare' by the schools. A few brief sug gestions would bring out the lat eut talent of the county Tn th shape of drawings; essays, maps etc. If not thought desirsbl this work could be on exhibltio at the annual Institute, or on oth CT special occasions. In this mar ner much permanent good migh be done.
 fTo he cOntinuedl