The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-04-12
The NEW STATE BOARD or Eou
CATION.

pro- ably no law enacted by the re-
cent legislature is OF such far-reacn-
ing Importance as that which created
the new state board Of education.
The measure was championed by
Gov. cruce and It carries out recon-
mendations made by him in his first
message to the legislature.
The board not only supplants all the
former boards Of regents OF the state
schools, the agricultural colleges ex-
cepted, having full authority 70 select
faculties, prescribe courses Of study
and decide policies, but IL also has
general jurisdiction cycr the common
schools Of the state. including the Sc
lection Of textbooks and the certifi-
cation Of teachers.
There is. every reason for believing
that the governor fully realizes The
importance Of the new board since he
has not hesltated to declare that he
will regard his success In handling
the school affairs Of the state. put
ting them on Founder educational
and a more economical basis, as the
criterion by which his administration
may be judged. Ii is evident that
Mr.. Grace gave file most thoughtful
consideration to the selection Of The
board and 1t is gratifying to note that
the majority OF them are men who
are now or have been actively engag-
ed in school work
The future o. our state schools Is in
the hands Of these men and they have
an exceptional opportunity for high
public service. If they meet the re-.
aponsIblIity like 5road-minded educa.
tors. throwing aside all partsanship
and favoritism, they can bring Ok
lahoma's institutions up to point
where they win command the admira-
tion OF the entire country and that IS
what the people expect OF them.
In a general way this board stands
IN shc same relation to the schools Of
the state that a local board OF educa-
ton hears to ths city schools. In the
selection Of faculties It should be Rcv-
cried BY the rue ;ass the wise school
hoard fellows II is LILY by selecting
a competent su9eriatcndent AMI ther
giving him free hand in the ehoos.
ing Of teachers that an efficient sys-
tenn OF city schools can be developed.
No school board is as well qualified
to judge the qualifications Of teachers
as is the superintendent who is a
specialist in his line. In our opinion,
the state board should bestow It's first
care in the selection Of presidents for
the various Institutions. If there are
any incompetent men on the Job, they
should be let out without hesitation.
II a president is not man whose ad-
vice can be accepted in the selection
Of faculties he is not worthy Of the
place which he holds. BY following
the recommendations Of the president
in choosing faculties, the temptation
and the opportunity for personal fav
oritism and wire-pulling will be re
duced to a minimum.
The duplication Of courses OF stud,
IN the various schools is another mat
ter which Mr.. Cruce is insistent upor
and he is right about it. In the tasl
before II in this line. the board viii
have to free itself from local influ
ences and proceed courageousIy. Th'
university, the A. & M. college, tn,
normaIs and the !. ]. & c. each have
distinct mission and in formulating
courses OF instruction the aim shoull
be TO develop them along the lines fo
which they we're created, bringing
each up 20 the highest standard in IL
designated field.