The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-03-14
A VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION ACT

The Importance of the Vocational
general assembly of Indiana can hard
ly be overestimated. 1t is expected
eventually to revolutionize the educa-
tional system OF the state Where in
the case of the public service COM
mission bill Indiana followed other
states, in this case Indiana leads the
nation. Already other common
wealths are asking for copies of the
law with a view of enacting similar
laws.
It is not compulsory on any county
education. But by little thought it
can be seen how counties will gain in
the long run by going ahead with the
new education under the act. In the
first place an additional levy of one
cent on each one hundred dollars of
taxable property in the state is laid
by the law. The resulting fund will
be used by the state board of educa-
ton to assist in founding vocational
educational schools and departments
in existing schools.
of the new system it will only pay
taxes to help some other community.
But il a county undertakes vocational
instruction the state will pay two
thirds of the expense, and out of the
fund raised by the one cent tax.
Country and city communities bene-
fit by the new law, because vocational
education in the bill Is defined as "any
education the controlling purpose of
which is to fit for profitable employ
ment." And the general term is di-
vided again into industrial educa-
ton" and agricultural education" and
domestic science"
Trades, crafts, and wage-earning
pursuits, including the occupations of
girls and women carried on in stores,
workshops and other establishments
are included under industrial educa-
ton.
Occupations connected with the till
age of the soil, the care of domestic
animals. forestry and other wage
earning or productive work on the
farm Is embraced under agricultural
education.
Domestic science in the law is de-
fned as that form of vocational edu-
cation which fits for occupations con-
nected with the household
Evening and part time classes for
employed men and women are provid-
ed for in the law
Any school city, town or township
may through it's board of school trus-
tees or school commissioners or town
ship trustees, establish vocational
schools or departments in the same
manner as other schools or depart.
ments are established and may main.
tain the same from the common school
funds or from a special tax levy not
to exceed 10 cents on each 500 of
taxable property. or partly from both
sources.
Two or more communities may CO.
operate to establish and maintain vo.
cational schools or departments
After September /, 1915, elementary
agriculture shall be taught in the
grades in all town and township
schools: elementary industrial work
in the grades in all city and town
schools, and elementary domestic
science in the grades of all schools of
city, town and township. The state
board of education shall outline a
course of study for each of such
grades as they may determine which
shall be followed as a minimum re-
quirement Similar courses may be
made optional in the high schools.
The state board of education is
authorized by the law to investigate
the subject of industrial education
and to aid in its introduction around
the state. 1t shall make annual re.
ports to the general assembly of the
progress of such education.
The law even changes the makeup
of the state board of education. re.
curing that in the future il shall con.
sist of the superintendent of public in.
struction. the presidents of Purdue
university, the State university and
the State Normal school. the superin-
tendents of schools cf the three cities
having the largest enumeration OF
children for school purposes, three cit.
liens of prominence actively engaged
in educational work in the state, one
of whom shall be a county superin-
tendent of schools, End three persons
actively interested in and of known
sympathy with vocational education
one of whom shall be representative
of employees and one of employers
The governor shall appoint the mem
bers of the board, except the ex-oficio
members, for term of four years.
The farmers OF Indiana particularly