The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-25


In IN age when progress has been made in
almost every tine OF endeavor, when moro as
~1nosment has been made than in preceding
osutur1es. the public school system Of these
OMITTED States has been left somewhat to the
fsAr. improvements of great Importance have
6es0 made and to say that the system has stood
afM would be giaringiy incorrect. but the fact
Asnn0e be denied that the marvellous advance
bs<hcught f1nds no close rival in education
onsreason for this has been the remarkable
4acuity OF the American people TO get on in the
world without the help of an education aided
ties Of the new world, making for material sue
cess IN brief time and without the necessity for
special training. Another reason. the child
probably of this.nrst has been the lack of ap-
part OF the general public. resulting in dearth
Of the funds necessary TO bring the public edu-
cational facilities to the point of highest eff
aciency. Great educational leaders there have
been and individual contributors to the cause
Of education. but Il has always been a ditY,cult
support puoi,o4nstiturons. 90 the need Of greater
lberality in tris-respect-
Added to aIf IL theexact that the public moves
slowly. under the proddins OF leaders and en-
fnafw n ~ hat
UP with the few. This may be good thing. 1t
nav be we'll ehas the many act as a check upon
tho enthusiasm of the radicals even though in
many instances the latter may be right. but
nevertheless~tn this~mattsr OF public. education
= has resulted i'm q glover and less complete
Development than has been the case IN other
i!na4 IN which individual ambition, individual
snfhusiaxm and Individual desire for profit.
sasnsr OF money or fame, acted the spur.
Ofrecent years. however. the appreciation of
Che pubiicthaserown. though still n few lead in
xA0advxnoe. The public demands a better edu-
mot eiwaysFoecn backed up by-greater iiberality
N appropriations for the expenses of the un-
6sTealrins. Fer instance the time has passed
when public school teachers are composed as a
body OF failures at everything else The time
has passed when even good men. unframed. can
secure places OF importance IN the system. The
demand for trained workers IN this neld. as In
~ 0therH has forced those entering It to pre-
pare for the positions they hope to fill They
have been forced to disregard expense in order
- talse special courses at normal schools and
universities They hare spent years In prepare
don.
Amer II is all done they must fnd their reward
In tho consciousness OF work we'll done in the
satisfaction OF being specialists in their chosen
calling: in their enthusiasm for the work The
with the increase in their efficiency.
This is regrettahle state OF affairs. and can
be helped only by the education of the public
to the injustice of It and to the knowledge of
the fact that sufficient supply TO meet the de- /
snand can never be obtained Until the rewards
are Increased.
In the meantime partial remedy can be
found in making less expensive the preparation !
which those essaying to teach IN our public
schools must have to secure the positions Here
in Richmond this necessity has been met in part
by the city school board sum OF money has
been appropriated for the establishment az
summer normal school here This school under
LEGAL management win open late in June with
faculty OF surprising efficiency.
Here is an opportunity for teachers of Rich
mond and surrounding territory to continue
their preparation for their work to improve
their fitness for their tasks to help themselves I
rAnnot all go TO Columbia the University of Chi I
CAgo. the great normal schools. Some of them
viii even and 1t dihicnit o secure tho means for
EsSuFSs ~ my me SUITE normal sehuvaE-1su.f