The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-12
STATE SUPERVISION OF SCHOOLS,

The Virginia Education Commission is COM
posed Of experts in the matter of Educational
theories. methods and conditions, aud their re-
concentrations should always be considered
In the light OF their expert knowledge and ex-
perieace. They are constantly studying the
needs Of the educational system and are always
abreast of the newest thought in their peculiar
field. 1t is, therefore, wise that mere laymen
should yield cordial assent to their demands.
Especially is this true when these demands are
80 obviously wise. as in the case of the recon-
mendations which they have recently decided
10 make 10 the next Legislature, contemplating
the supervision by the State Board of Educa
lion of every institution of learning chartered
BY the State. Their object In desiring the pas
sage OF such legislation is that the schools and
colleges of the State shall be properly classified
and standardized. and. further, that the patrons
Ut the schools may be protected from incompe
tent instruction
The result OF the proposed legislation will be
that every institution of learning In the State
will be properly and honestly classified. II it
ia doing only high school work. the public will
TIA apprised of that fact and 1t can not parade
Itself as a college, BY this method the average
patron~and the average patron has way of
personally discovering the grade of work done
In the schools--will be protected from false or
ex;ravagant representations in advertising or
eanvassing and tan readily and easily deter
mine the school best adapted to the needs and
purposes of his child
Furthermore. this scheme will result in a
practical correlation of the various institutions
of learning, that the pupil pursue his
way from lowest TO highest with no Interrupt
zion to his studies and no disturbance OF his
plans, The standardiznz of the schools will
result in the same grade and quantity of work
being done by schools of the class. All
schools classified as high schools will cover
practically the So with colleges
Thus student coming from any of the
high schools so classified by the State Board
and applying for entrance TO anyone of the
colleges of the Stale will at once be recognized
us having accomplished the work necessary for
entrance because the States supervision guar
antees that fact. This affords much-needed
protection TO the institutions or hlgner learn
ing. safeguarding them against the claims Of
institutions protesting to do preparatory
work. ye, failing to make their claims good.
This contemplated legislation protects tht
public from the wearers of easily-won and
meaningless degrees. Any one of the academic
or professional or technical degrees should
mean something He who wears 1t ought to b.
y. marked as worthy by having won II. .And so II
will be under State supervision. Their recon
mendation insists that for all degrees there
shall be required four years of high school and
four years of college work The boy or gir
years of hard work in the winning Of 1t. and
the degree itself will carry every assurance OF
genuineness and worth to the general public
We most cordially endorse this plan of the
Educational Commission. II will easily result,
In the elevation and development OF our edu
cationai system along all lines. For some years
the Board of Education of the Southern Meth
odist Church has been working along similar
lines. and any patron of their schools can, by
reference TO the annual report OF this Board
discover the standing and character Of any In
stiiution within the control Of the Church II
is an admirable plan. and We hope TO see Ito
adoption.
GETTING ON BUSINESS BASIS