The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-30
ANNOUNCE STATE
SCHOOL PROGRAM
Radford Conference of Division
Superintendent Shows Faults
OF Virginia System.
TO ORGANIZE PERMANENTLY
K. {. Stearnes's Plans and Ideas
Heartily Endorsed by His
Lieutenants.

Results of Il concrete nature were
obtained this week when seventy hte
OF the 1913 division school superintep-
dents gathered in Radford to confer
with Superintendent of Public Instruc
ton II. c. SteSS' and to formulate
an educat' oeram for the coming
year. One Of the salient features of
the convention was the platform which
the superintendent adopted as embody-
ing their belief and aspirations for
education in Virginia. AS to them
selves the superintendents went on
record as favoring constant visiting of
schools by the division superintendent
ana the devotion OF the superinten
dents entire time and energies to the
position he occupies
Industrial and %ocational training
was declared by the platform to be
the crying need Of education i'm this
state. Farm demonstration work re-
ceiNed the hearty approval of the SUI
perintendents, and was pledged their
support The Importance of the one
room school was established. and the
advantages of the normal schools
Illustrated
Ihc shortcomings of the Virginia
due 10 short terms inefficient teaching.
improper facilities. inefficient supervis-
ion and Insufficient finances A $500. 600
increase in the school appropriation is
demanded
Farm Organization.
To insure future usefulness as a
cohesive body. the superintendent af-
fected the following permanent organ
ization:
Honorary Presidcnt-R. c. Stcarnes.
Superintendent of Public instruction.
Honorary Secretary-E. r. Chester
man, Secretary State Board of Educa-
ton.
Presidents. c. Glass. Lynchburg.
Va
Secretary-A. d. Wright, Henrico.
Nice-Presdents Zone for each con-
gressional district):
First-W. q. Rennolds. Essex County.
Second-A a. Hunt, Portsmouth.
rhird-w. b. coggin. Charles city,
James City and New Kent
Fourth-R. r. Jones, Petersburg
F'ifth-F. Fl. Wheatley, Danville.
Sixth-Harris Hart Roanoke
Seventh-James q. Johnson Char
lottesvlle.
Eighth-M. D. Hall, Fairfax
Ninth. y. Hillman, Wise
Tenth-C. w. Dickinson, Jr. Cum
berland and Goochland
The Radford meeting was notable be-
cause IL was the first time Superinten-
dent Stearnes has come into personal
contact with his official family, many
OF whom are new in their positions
The interchange of views was free and
general and the discussions took Il
wide range. Mr.. Stearnes spoke to his
workers enthusiastically and with de-
termination, and they appeared to like
the way he talked. They commended,
his attitude on the educational prob
lens in Virginia and his idea of secur-
ing the cooperation of the division
superintendent by according him a
rising vote
Ssrona Platform.
Excerpts from the strong platform
which the division superintendent
adopted follow:
The position of division superinten-
dent is mans full work. No other
occupation should be or will he under
taken during his term at Office
The visiting of the schools in fuller
measure than heretofore is a most cry
ing need, perhaps the need of the hour
Each superintendent will strive to so
systenatize his work as to be able to
spend three-fourths OF his time in the
neld meeting teachers, patrons pupils
at the schools and in their homes
The call for industrial and voca-
tional training is too nsistent to be
unheeded. the fields are too ripe to be
longer neglected.
We express our hearty approval of
the work of the demonstrators, Both
for boys and girls. This work we will
support
We express our entire approval OF
the educational policies Of the State
that have resulted in the establish
ment and maintenance of the four nor
NAL schools. We bespeak for these
proper financial support.
We favor the wider use of the school
ia1 nd i,.ic
We believe great opportunity is
presented for allying the work of the
V. L. l. with the educational policies of
the State, and thereto shall lend our
aid.
But chiefly. Virginia ranks low in
the list of Commonwealths. because of
short terms, inefficient teaching, i'm
proper facilities and ineffective super
vision. This largely is a condition of
finances. We therefore invoke the aid
of the General Assembly in an increased
appropriation of at least 100000 to
the common school fund, to be expended
under the State Board of Education in
such conditions.