The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-10-10
Commissioner Seeks to Get the People
in the Rural Districts in Closer Touch
With the Schools and Have Better
Qualified Teachers Provided.

i
schools This recommends increased
state aid for rural schools, gradual
raising Of qualifications Of teachers, a
system of agricultural teaching in
rural schools, a careful supervision Of
the expenditure of school moneys in
the various districts of the state and
an elective county board of education
and an appointive county superin-
tendent.
| The program follows:
That county boards of education be
elected at the general school election,
To consist of three members to serve
six years: to serve without salaries; to
appoint the county superintendent
from an approved list made up by the
civil service commission; to have gem
eral control of county schools of agri-
culture and county training schools
for teachers; to pass upon the consol-
dation of school districts.
To advise the superintendent to
Withhold state aid from small and in
efficient schools whenever in the judg-
ment of the board such action is war
ranted.
2. That state aid be given to county
boards Of education to assist in the
proper maintenance Of the office Of
county superintendent ON condition
that: An adequate salary is paid to
the county uperintendent; An efficient
clerk is appointed.
3. That to insure efficient teaching
of agriculture and domestic. economy
in rural schools there be appointed: A
supervisor of agriculture and a super
visor Of domestic arts who Shall be
members of the staff of the state
superintendent; Agricultural :nspec-
tors who shall be members of the facul-
ties Of county schools Of agriculture;
Agricultural inspectors in counties
where there are no county agricultural
schools.
4. That contests in agriculture and
domestic economy be encouraged by
the state department. eff public in
struction.
5. That the training of teachers of
agriculture and domestic economy be
encouraged by the offer of free schol-
arships.
6. That the curriculum of the
county training schools include: In
creased instruction in agriculture;
Elements of medical inspection; Farm
accounting; Methods of keeping school
records and accounts
Z. That qualifications for obtaining
teachers certificates be raised after
January l, 1915, ninth and tenth
grade work should be required before
taking the six weeks professional
training course; After January l, 1917,
graduation from training school or
training department should be requir
ed; After January l, 1919, ninth and
tenth grade work should be required
as entrance qualifications to training
schools.
5. That the manual should be re-
vised eliminating non-essentials of
the academic subjects, strengthening
the courses in agriculture and adding
courses in manual training and domes-
tic arts.
8. That the staff of school inspec-
tors be strengthened; two inspectors
should be temporarily appointed to as
sist districts in planning for consoli-
dated schools.
10. That closer cooperation be es-
tablished between the schools ana the
circulating Libraries; the common
school library funds should be e1pend-
ed for the purchase of books of refer
ence, and for supplementary and col
lateral reading; books from the free
libraries should circulate among the
schools.
II. That the two mile" law be
amended so as to insure the education
of all children of school age who are
outside of the two mile limit.
II. That intelligent Interpretation
and publication of school facts be
made; school reports should be made
adequate and adapted to Che forms
suggested by the United States Blu
reau of Education; annual or more fire..
quent bulletins containing school facts
should be issued by the stase sl.perin-
tendent of public instruction.
10. That the use of school money
be supervised; accounting forms for