The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-10-03
FOR BETTER SCHOOLS.
Better Iowa Schools Commission
Makes Recommendation for
Improving Schools.

sion, at it's recent meeting decided
to recommend to the State Teachers
Association some excellent as we'll
as necessary changes in Iowa s
school affairs. 1t will be remember
ed that this commission was APP
pointed by State superintendent A.
M. Deyoe upon recommendation of
the Iowa State Teachers Associa-
ton. These recommendations will
De reported direct to the association,
at the November meeting. They are
to the point, and without doubt will
be received with favor by the State
Association, which will urge their
enactment into law by the next
legislature, with more than usual
pointed a publication committee, of
which Bernard Murphy of the Vim
ton Eagle is chairman, whose duty
will be to place these recommended
lions before the people of Iowa in
their true light.
The commission, acting upon the
suggestions of the State Association,
has investigated the school affairs OF
this and many other states very
closely The work has been carried
on for several months, and covers a
wide field. Every state in the mid
die west was studied carefully. The
commission gave serious considera-
ton to those things which improved
school conditions and which were
practical and possible in Iowa. The
tax payers side, as well as that of
the patron and school man. was
given consideration; for the COM
mission is composed Of broad mind
ed men and women who are familiar
with the business as we'll as the
professional side of life, and are
able to dig to the bottom of things.
In all probability, never before has
the side of the tax payer and the
method of spending his money been
scrutinized more diligently. The
commission believes Iowa should not
spend less for her schools, but
should get more for what she does
spend. Below is summary of the
recommendations of the Better Iowa
Schools Commission:
/. Voluntary consolidation of
schools for minimum area OF six
teen sections. State aid to consoli-
dated schools for period of years;
the amount of the aid shall depend
on the number Of departments,
grade of teachers employed, course
of study, kind of building and equip
ment. Some suggested plans for
raising the fund to be apportioned
to schools are small graduated di-
rect tax on inheritances exceeding
$4,000, a millage tax, etc.
The plan recently enacted by the
fo{~ 1r,H
Holmberg Law, encouraged the or
ganization Of fifty consolidated dis
tricts since the law became effec-
tive, April q, 1911.
2. The encouragement of rural
high schools. The course Of study
should meet the needs Of the COM
munity, while the quality of work
should be equal to the standard Of
any high school,
3. That every high school that
meets the requirements for the
Normal Training Course shall re-
ceive $500 annually. This method of
training teachers for the rural
schools should be especially en-
couraged.
4. That four additional Normal
Schools be established within the
next five years. These schools shall
be limited to the preparation OF
teachers for the elementary schools.
5. That any applicants for teach
ers' certificates after July l, 1915,
shall have had at least twelve
weeks of normal training.
6. The discontinuance of the
present method of holding Normal
Institute. Short inspirational teach
ers' meetings held during the school
year and compulsory attendance Of
teachers without loss of pay are
recommended.
Z. Increase the powers and effici
ency of the Department of Public
Instruction; provide an adequate
contingent and travelling expense
fund; fix the salary of the superin-
tendent of Public Instruction at not
less than $4,000, and make the term
four years The duties of the deputy
superintendent are barely less i'm
the department, and his compensa
ton should be fixed commensurate
with his responsibilities.
s. The enjoyment of rural
school inspector, grade inspector,
anu ulS ScuOOl Inspector, uuutl
the Department of Public Instruc-
ton. States, including nearly all
the surrounding states, that are TAX
ing the lead in educational matters
employ such inspectors.
8. Increase the duties and i'm
portance Of the County Superinten-
dcncy, fix the salary as high, at
least, as that of any other county
official, (not less than $1,000 rails
ing the standard of qualifications
for the office and increasing the ia
cilities for the supervision Of the
schools. The term of office should
be four years.
10. That the office of Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction be
made non-partisan-electiv and that
of County Superintendent non-parti-
san-elective or appOintive.
II. That the enforcement of the
compulsory law be placed in the Of
flee of the County Superintendent.
-. The adjustment of the rural
independent districts and the estab-
lishment of the townships, as the