The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-07-08

Miss S. Belle Chamberlain, the
state superintendent of schools, has
done this office the honor to say in
personal letter what she is most
interested in in the administration of
her Office, and we think it proper to
pass it on to our readers for their
consideration. This is the letter.
write to state that / have an
nounced myself as candidate for
denomination and to ask your support
il you feel that you can give it to
me. / am going before the people
with the request that / be allowed to
continue another term in order that
I may have the opportunity of estab-
fishing the educational plan or sys-
tenn / began three and half years
ago when I assumed the duties of this
office. As every body knows, a strong
and effective educational system can
not be established and built up in
one, two, or even three years and the
rapid growth and development of this
state-the prominence it holds in the
eyes of the nation and it's continued
prosperity-depend very largely on
the educational opportunities ocered
the citizens living within her borders
and those contemplating moving to
Idaho.
Since I have been in Office of Sill
perintendent of public instruction a
state course of study has been COM
piled and put in use in all the schools
and the following educational feat
ures have been established state
system regarding libraries a splendid
state plan regarding teachers insti-
tutes whereby we have been able to
bring to Idaho every year about
twelve of the ablest and most noted
educators of the country for lecture
work, a state system of summer nor
mails in which the young and inexper-
fenced teacher may better qualify
himself or herself for the work they
have chosen to follow,-a system
that will allow the students to enter
the state normals with credits; plan
for the examination of teachers that
assures a uniform standard for the
various counties. have completed
the organization of the county school
trustees In accordance with law
passed at my suggestion by the last
session of the legislature in which we
hope to effect material improvement
in the small town and rural schools;
this of itself will prove boon to the
educational system of the state as
Idaho is in one sense of the word a
state of rural schools-85 per cent
Of the children attending the small
town or rural schools. =
have organized and am endeayor-
ing to perfect system of CONSOLIDATE
ed schools in every part Of the state
where the plan is feasible. In con-
nection with this work is the rural
high school that has been establish
ed under my administration and the
result of one of the measures I rec
commended and presented to the leg
iSlature at its last session. While the
above work is not as yet near per-
lection, the districts organized and
operating under the plan have been
very successful and it's future is as
sured. In this way and no other can
we give equal educational advantages
to the town and the country boy and
girl.
The last legislature, realizing the
fact that the Idaho school law is not
adequate for the present condition Of
the state, provided for a school law
commission with the assistance Of
which am preparing a revised edi-
ton to present to next session for
their favorable consideration. If you
have ever had any experience with
our school laws you will readily I'M
derstand how very important it is
that this matter be given prompt and
careful consideration. We have wish
ted every portion of the state during
the past year in order to make a
study of the local conditions that
might effect the educational situation
and embody in the new law whatever
clause necessary to assure the chill
dren Of Idaho chance for good
education. This work is still under
construction and am very anxious
to hold my present position until the
plan ] have been working on for the
past three and half years shall be
established and in a condition that
will give the educational profession
Of the state basis upon which to
work. III ~.