The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-18

These two previous meetings served
to show the necessity of nation wide
convention and the present meeting is
of real Importance because of its in
terstate character. The field for such
an organization is created because Of
the many vital interstate problems
which fail because of lack of time, to
be considered at the annual meetings
of the National Education association.
The selection of Topeka for this COLI
gress was obtained by the Kansas SUI
perintenGent, F. T. Fairchild, at the
last national association meeting III
San Francisco.
The bearing which any action of this
congress will have upon the public
educational system of the United States
is such that 1t has drawn Philander
P Claxton, u, S. commissioner of edu-
cation, and Harlan IIpdegraff. assist
ant u. S. commissioner, to the meet
ing.
Prof e. c. Bishop, chairman of the
association, to which position he was
elected as Nebraska superintendent,
though he now IS in charge of the ex-
tension work of the Iowa Agricultural
college in the state schools, will preside
at the Topeka sessions
"Of the many problems of in inter
state nature which will or may be
considered at this meeting, the great
est one is the standardization of the
certification of teachers" said Prof
Bishop. There is no set program adopt
topics which representatives may bring
forward but all have come prepared to
take some action on the standardiza-
ton of teachers certificates.
New Rules for Teachers.
ssThe present difficulties connected
with the calling of teachers from one
state to another must be eradicaJed
for the good of public instruction Ex-
cept in the case of a few states it now
is burdensOme and lengthy necessity
to investigate the credentials or o
teacher of one state going over into
another and often the wait discourages
teachers from crossing a state me
when the tedious investigation or an ex-
animation would prove entirely salts
factory.
but, of course. we do not know,
under the prevailing system, what IS
the real value of the certificate
teacher may hold and an investigation
is necessary. There are so many nor
NAL schools and normal departments
of schools issuing certificates. we have
to stop to ascertain the amount of
work they require Then too, there is
wide variance between many states
in their methods and systems.
1T is these things which, 1t is hoped.
can be done away with in standard
ization of certificates"
Prof. Bishop further said this stand
ardization would imply an accreditng
of the various normal schools in the
different states. No one meeting can
expect to accomplish so much, but 1t IS
believed that eventually this work Will
be accomplished. In the case of state
schools, the proposition may not prove
so difficult but when they reach the
accrediting of denominatiOnal normal
departments there may be trouble in
store.
In many cases state laws prevent a
uniform certificate which would enable
foreign teachers to invade their juris-
diction In this regard Prof. Bishop
says some states have already allev1-
ated the circumstances by what he
came from the influence of the Salt
Lake meeting, where reports were
adopted showing the evil of these re-
stricting laws.
The same reports brought forth en-
couraging letters from all over the
a convention to include all state SUI
perintendentS who could leave their
duties. The present congress is COM
posed of heads of state departm ents
from every section of the country from
Rhode Island to Washington.
Only a preliminary session was
called in the supreme court room this
morning, but actual work is expected
to be done in the session this after
noon. All Representatives are expected
to have reached here by tonight.
Dinner for Mr. Claxton.
President Frank K. Sanders of
Washburn college will entertain United
States Commissioner Claxton at a $50
o'clock dinner tonight, laying covers
for -
The congress will journey to Man
haitian tomorrow to visit the state agri-
cultural school and return in time for
a general dinner tomorrow night at
the Commercial club rooms in honor
of Commissioner Claxton. Other ar
engagements have not been made. The
convention will continue for three
days, closing Friday night
Those in attendance at the conven-
ton or who have guaranteed attend