Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-07
January Fire Loss in Maine
Shows a Large Decrease.
Montana Consolidated Coal and
Coke Co. Decreases Capital.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Wednesday, March 80, at 10 A. M.

Normal schools, expresses much
qualification in noting by the rapidly
increasing demand for their graduates
that their efficient work is recognized
by the school authorities. Continuing
he says:
Tine average annual salary re-
ceived by teachers of Normal school
training is at least one-third greater
than that received by teachers not
having such training. Notwithstand-
ing the higher salary commanded by
these teachers the principals of the
schools report that they are unable
tc supply even a small part of the
demand for their graduates.
1.-The work of the schools is con-
stantly becoming more professional in
character. Each year a larger pro-
portion of graduates Of secondary
schools is to be found i'm the normal
schools. This tendency brings to the
school students of greater maturity
and therefore greater capacity. The
schools are thus able to pay greater
attention to the promotion OF profess
siOnai standards.
ut is apparent, with the increased
number of secondary schools and
with the law which provides
secondary school opportunities to
pupils who are resident of towns
not supporting high schools that the
Normal schools will soon be able to
make. as uniform entrance require
ment. graduation from a High school
of approved grade With the Normal
schools thus experimenting the ele-
mentary and secondary schools. il is
perhaps not unreasonable to hope that
the quality Of work in the first can
be made of so superior a standard as
to permit Of some degree OF co-Opera-
ton, between the Normal schools and
the colleges of the State. to the end
that professional training may he
made available to those persons Who
intend to teach in high schools and
academies.
1T is somewhat discouraging from
the viewpoint of Maine schools 10 note
that our Normal schools have supplied
trained teachers for other States in
almost the same proportion that they
have provided them for Maine. This
can hardly be placed to the diScredt
of the Normal schools. since it is eX-
cellent evidence that the superiority
Of their work is readily recognized il
other States On the other hand the
teachers who have thus left our
schools can hardly be blamed for ac-
cepting the largely increased ccmpen-
sation promised them elsewhere. after
they have fulfilled the requirement
relating to teaching in Maine schools
for stated period after graduation.
for
Maine has suffered is to be found al
most solely in the failure of orr towns
to give recognition to the value of
professionally trained teaching, as the
of neighbOrng states are
prepared to do. 1t is certainly to be
desired that the State should certain
Nv have the greatest possible return
from its annual expenditure for the
training OF teachers. School authorl-
ties may we'll make every possible
effort to secure for their schools a
permanent force of trained teachers
which alone can assure a sustained
excellence of school work. Back of
these efforts, however, must be the
corporation of the citizens who, in
the last analysis, are responsible for
the quality of the service to be rem
dered by the schools.
THE superintendents of the several
towns of the State report that there
are 527 active branches of the School
League of Maine. From
its inception this organization has
been a potent factor, not only in the
material Improvement of the schools,
but also in awakening in pupils and
citizens a sense of responsibility for
the Improvement of school conditions.
While the league has to its credit
large achievements in the way of
betterment Of the conditions under
which the schools work, it's largest in
huence has undoubtedly been shown
in the vital interest of school patrons
in the work of their schools.
.'At the present time the School I'M
provement League is engaged in di-
recting the attention fthe people
to the condition and needs OF coun-
try schools. County organizations
have been formed in Androscoggn,
Aroostook, Franklin, Knox. Lincoln.
Oxford, Waldo. and Washington
counties. In each of these counties
presidents and secretaries have been
chosen and these officers are aiding
greatly in the promotion of the OBJ
iects of the league in their several
localities.
1.-THE interest in the introduction of
manual training courses is very wide
spread. TIL. city of Rockland is to be
added to the list of those previously
reported as offering definite manual
training courses under the direction of
special teachers. Towns and cities
now offering such courses are Auburn.
Bangor. Bath, Lewiston, Portland.
Rockland, Sanford. Skowhegan and
Westbrook In combination with the
courses of the normal schools similar
courses are provided at Gorham.
Pressure Isle. Pennington. Castine and
Fort Kent. A large number of towns
have introduced courses in the simpler
forms of manual training. offering this
work under the direction of the regular
grade teachers.
IAN interesting development of the
teachers institute is that which has
recently been made by some superin-
tendents in adapting the idea to the
definite local needs of their own.
schools. The first of these was con-
Doll mhn iS cnnQY.