Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-01-17
Miseellaaeuus 8eading.
NEW SCHOOL LAW.
system Recommends Important
Changes In Present System.

Changes In present system.
Three amendments to the constitu-
ton and important and far-reaching
alterations in the present school law
are recommended in the report made
to the general assembly Friday by the
Commission to examine and revise
the school law of the state and to
recommend changes in the, same" this
report, with the accompanying bill,
constituting perhaps the most impor-
tant document yet presented to the
1911-12 legislature.
Origin of the Commission.
The commission was created by
joint resolution of the general assem-
bly,, approved February %, 1910, the
suggestion for it's creation having been
made in the annual report for 1909 Of
Mr.. ]. E. Swearingen, state superin-
tendent of education. 1t was directed
to carefully examine and revise the
common and high school laws of the
changes in the existing law by bill or
otherwise" and was required to re
port to the next session of the general
assembly" No compensation was pro-
vided, but members were to be reim-
bursed for their annual, necessary ex-
penses.
Its Composition.
In the resolution, it was specified
that the following should be members
of the commission: THE state super
intendent Of education, the inspector
of high schools, the president of one
of the state institutions Of higher
learning, one person familiar with
graded and common school systems,
and one person learned in the law"
Members not specifically designated
were to be appointed by the governor.
AS organized for work. the commits
sion was composed of Mr.. ]. E. Swear
ingen, state superintendent of educa-
ton; Mr.. w. H. Hand, state inspector
of high schools; DR.. D. B. Johnson,
president of Winthrop college,; Mr.. S.
H. Edmunds, superintendent of the
Sumter city schools, and Mr.. Mendel
L. Smith, attorney of Camden. Mr..
Swearingen was chairman and Mr..
Hand the secretary.
Has Done Hard Work.
Arduous work has been done by the
commission. It's members have in their
homes given to the task in hand much
study and research and meetings have
been held in Columbia as follows:
April 4 and 16, May IA, June 4, August
and 81, September /. 2. 9 and 10:
October l, Is and %; November IL and
30; December II and 81; January 2.
On several of these dates three ses-
sions were held. The commission has
made a diligent study of the present
school law, a careful comparison of the
best school legislation of other states,
and has sought to incorporate in its
report that which seems best adapted
to the needs and conditions here.
Fundamental Changes Fey.
Comparatively few fundamental
changes are recommended. An effort
has been made to give unity and
thereto such features as seemed ap-
solutely necessary to make the propos-
ed law effective.
Recommendation Unanimous.
THE commission does not consider"
says the report, that the results Of
it's labors are perfect, but it firmly be-
lieves that it has evolved a workable
law, which will speedily bring about
i,,,n ntc in nj
zation and system, and one which will
eventually give us an excellent system
Of public education. The members of
the commission made many individual
to the better judgment of
the majority, and they unanimously
and respectfully recommend that this
report become the school law of the
state"
Comparison Facilitated.
For convenience, the commission
prints on opposite pages to the several
sections of its bill it's notes, showing
just what are The changes recommend
ed and what their effect would be.
Summary of Report.
The commission thus summarizes
it's important recommendations:
THE commission has endeavored to
port. 1t has sought to retain the best
features of the present law and to
avoid radical or revolutionary changes.
1t has been compelled, however, to rec
some important and far
reaching alterations in order that the
new school law may help to meet pres
ent needs and to improve present con-
ditions.
Il. An amendment to section 2, ar
ticle II, and to section "a, article III,
of the constitution, will remove the OBJ
stacle that prevents many of our best
men from serving as school trustees.
Though the constitution forbids the
holding of two offices, this provision
has, by common consent, been widely
This amendment seeks
merely to legalize service to education
when rendered in connection with 9TH
er service to the state.
"2. The state superintendent of ed
ucation is held responsible for the acts
of the state board of education, and, in
the opinion of the commission, he
should have some voice in selecting its
members. 1t is, therefore, recommend |
ed that section 2, article XI, of the
be amended so that hence
forth the governor shall appoint the
state board of education, upon the rec
ent.
State Examining Board.
'3. The commission recommends the
of a state board of exam
iners for teachers in order that the
present varying standards may be har-
by the establishment of uni
form method in the examination and
of applicants to teach.
a. The county board of education
is given large powers in three impor-
tant respects: a. To levy a special
county tax. b. To apportion pubic
school funds. c. To choose from ELI
gible applicants the county superin-
tendent of education to serve for
term of four years.
IS. The right of all special school
districts organized under special acts
of the general assembly to adopt their |
own text books has been withdrawn.
The state superintendent of educa-
ton is empowered to appoint a text
book commission, composed of five
public school men, to act concur