Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-04-24
New Educational Policy for Vermont.

New Educational Policy for Vermont.
An educational conference was held
Friday during the day and evening at
the Hotel Vermont, for the purpose
of discussing the report of commit
tee appointed at the educational con-
ference last month to draw up plans
for the establishment of state policy
of education. The committee was ap-
pointed at an Informal meeting of
about Is members of the confere zee
and consisted of E. B. Smith of
Brattleboro, chairman. DR.. E. D. Col
Inns of Middlebury college, Supt. G. S.
Wright of the st. Adams city schools,
o. D. Mathewson of Barre, and P.
R. Leavenworth Of the CastIeton
State Normal School. Notifications
were sent out to the school men of
the state for the meeting and
about SO attended. representatives
of all three universities and colleges,
supervisors of education, and many
schoolmasters being among the mum
Der present.
The forenoon and afternoon were
mostly given up to the committee
which had not quite formulated it's re-
port. In the evening, however, the
meeting began in earnest and the re.
port of the committee, which consist
ed of ten articles, was so thoroughly
discussed that at 10 80 O'Clock only
&c article had been disposed of.
After that things moved more rapidly
and shortly after II O'Clock the con-
sideration of the report was complet,
el.
It was voted by those present that
a copy of the educa tional program as
mapped out be sent to every school
man in the state and that they denote
their approval or disapprova by send
ing in their vote to member of the
committee. If the majority approve
the plan, it is likely that steps will
he taken at the next meeting of the
legislature to procure the adoption of
the measures.
1.-THE following educational pro-
gram is proposed IN the hope that it
will promote greater harmony among
the teachers and school officials of
Vermont and in the belief that it will
lead to a more efficient administration
of educational affairs:
"We recommend:
eel. That state board Of education
of nine members, who shall be repre-
sentative men and women, be appoint
ed by the governor that the term of
office of a majority of the board ssshall
not expire in any one biennial term :;
and that at least three persons pro
fessionally engaged in educational
work in this state shall be appointed
as members of the board.
"2. That the board of education
have the administration of all educa-
tional matters Of the state; approve
the expenditures of all public funds
appropriated from the state treas.
ury for educational purposes and ap-
point as their executive officer a SUI
perintendent of education, who shall
not be a member of the board.
SO. That the standard for certif-
cation of elementary teachers be
raised, so that every elementary
teacher in the state is qualified to
prepare her pupils for the state ex-
animation for free tuition in second.
airy schools.
"4 That the state increase the
net salary of professionally trained
teachers employed in towns expend.
ing minimum per cent of the granc
| list for school purposes.
"5. That portion of the income
of the permanent school fund be ex
pended by the board Of education fol
the establishment and maintenance OF
model rural schools or to aid existing
schools, in those towns which in thu
judgment of the board are least able
to provide adequate school facilities.
"6. That the board of education
provide for the inspection and classi
fication of high schools.
"7. That the state equalize norma
school privileges by paying the mile.
age of the students at the beginning
and end of each term.
SO. That the state establish a
minimum wage for teachers.
$50. That the state provide
system of pensions for teachers.
80. That the state further en-
courage vocational and industrial ed
ucation."