The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12
FOR BETTER ALABAMA SCHOOLS The County Superintendents
 Shall Visit Schools and Observe Management

Montgomery, November 11.-(Special.)- J. Whether or not teachers are of good per- sonal appearance and to what extent. if any, they nag, is now a subject of inquiry by the county superintendents of educa- ton in Alabama. Section 1899, paragraph f, of the Alabama school laws, provide that "The district trustees shall visit the schools within their respective districts. observe the management of the same, and make quarterly reports of the condition of such schools to the county superin- tendents of education'
 Desiring that there be the fullest and most detailed information with regard to the schools, State Superintendent H. J. Willngham has had a blank printed for the county superintendents, which, by use of series of questions, will give very definite idea of the condition in each school room and the disposition and ability of the teacher in charge. At the same time will be forthcoming a general statement with regard to the hygienic and sanitary arrangements of buildings that must result in great beterment where bad conditions prevail.
 The list of questions to be answered by the trustees, after inspection of a partic- ular school, seeks to discover at the out set if the floor is clean, also If 1t is oiled and what means of keeping down the dust is used. Inquiry continues about the windows sash, shades and shutters, and the light. The window sapce is desired to be at least one-seventh of the floor space | Are desks placed so light. comes over | left shoulder?' "Is the building prop | lv heated?' Is the building properly ventilated?' are other inquiries in turn Visiting trustees are requested to note also the source and condition of water supply, to what extent papers are scat tered about the yards and to suggest plans for Identification of the premises. l Aesthetic features are emphasized. The number and extent of pictures and othel | decorations are sought. and whether ol not there is plentiful supply of towels
 soap, combs. wash basins, stove polish etc. "Is there school improvement as sociation" the officers inquire; also f
 there are adequate toilet facilities for boti
 sexes, and if they are well kept. The ex
 tent of the organization of corn and to
 mato clubs is asked about, and the Ii
 brary and reading course facilities.
 l That a good impression of the teach CT, who is in most cases woman is desired, the list of questions indt
 cate A few of them follow: "Is thu
 teacher of good personal appearance?' ?
 "Is she nagging or harsh?" "Is she co ] operative and inspirational?" Are les sons carefully prepared by the teach | er?" Does the teacher have com plete daily programme and follow it?'
 Does she keep her register properly? 1?
 Are pupils respectful toward th' teacher?"
 Other interrogations bring ou
 whether or not there Is good sys | tenn of grading, we'll followed out, tn
 extent to which pupils are punctual just how well the children are sup piled with needed books and the gen
 eral attitude of the pupils to the teach er Also if there Is the adopted course of study in use, and how much encour agement the school gets from the peo pie about it. The trustees are request ed to make careful investigation ant report with such other suggestions ant Recommendations as eeem needful il any case or cases. N
 Just asking these questions Is ex pected to have fine effect In the opin ion of Mr. Willingham It will develol
 the conditions and bring out the work ing qualities of the trustees and tn teachers. In great number ef In I stances 1t is anticipated that ' sF ie port will be sufficient to 4tNsea
 school up to standard Failp .vns
 any of the lines IS due more to a lacl