Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-02
IMPORTANT SCHOOL
LEGISLATION URGED
BY NJ |. BRITAIN
Local Option for Compulsory
Education May Be Provided
in Bill to Be introduced at
Coming Legislature

The state department of education
will introduce bills at the next session
of the legislature that will provide.
among other things. for compulsory ed
ucation. regular and prompt payment
Of teachers, and the unit system in
regard TO schools.
1t is not probable that provision for
compulsory education throughout the
state will be made. The school de-
partment does not believe that the state
is now able to maintain a rigid COM
pulsory educational law. But the de-
partment does think that If proper dis
cretionary power in regard to the en-
forcement of education was put into
the hands of officials that a great deal
could be accomplished. In statement
in regard to school conditions, State
School Commissioner NJ. L. Britain has
said that local option measure, leav-
ing it to each county or community
to decide whether or not it shall have
cmpulsory education, might be desir-
bic. But ne believes that there are
objections to this measure.
1t is not improbable, however, that
the legislature will be asked to consider
The advisability of local option con-
corning compulsory education. In
counties and communities that desire
compulsory education and are able to
maintain il, the department of educa-
ton thinks that required education
would be entirely feasible and effect
i've.
The way in which the legislature will
be asked to make the payment of teach
ers salaries prompt has not been out
lined by the school department. The
department considers that the welfare
of the schools of the state suffers more
from this delay than from any other
influence. Commissioners Britain said
Monday morning that the legislature
could easily arrange things so that the
teachers would always be paid on time.
A bill recommending the unit system
in the schools and opposing division
Of the city from the country in regard
to education will be introduced. l.
will be urged that in every instance
the county be made the unit of educa-
ton.
Following are other questions in re-
gard to schools that will be presented
to the legislature:
Better supervision of schools by the
requirement of higher qualification on
the part of county school commission
ers. 1t will be asked that their pay
be Increased and that they be required
to give their whole time to their duties
as commissioners. In all probability
the legislature will be asked TO repeal
the law that requires the election or
county school commissioners by pop
ular vote.
A change will be asked in the teach
ers' institutes. Supervision of these
Institutes by the state board of educa-
ton and by the commissioner is de-
sired. 1t probably will be urged that
the board and the Commissioners and
three supervisors be given complete
charge of these Institutes.
The present system of examining ana
licensing teachers is considered obsolete
by the state department, and the legisla7
tlrre will be asked to authorize more
effective means of examination and
issuance of licenses.
The establishment of farm life high
schools. similar to those in North Car
olina, will be provided for, In North
Carolina there is a central school in
each county that is supported by the
state and By the county jointly
The power to consolidate weak schools
will be asked for the counties.
The enlargement of The state board
of education and the increase of its
power will be urged.