Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-14
HOPE VOCATIONAL
TRAINING WILL HOLD STU.
DENTS INTEREST.
INJURY UNDER WAY TO
DETERMINE NEEDED COURSES
Resultant Report Expected to Form
Basis for Important Forward Move.
msnt in Educational Work in Iowa
Preferences Of Students and Parents
!. to Be Inquired Into.
special to Times-RepubHcan.

Special to Times Republican.
Dess Moines, March 1.-THE import
ance. of the inquiry which has been
started by the state department. Of
public instruction in conjunction with
the state teachers association into the
problem of vocational education in the
public schools is but poorly appreci-
ated by the people of the state. 1t is
just one Of the lines of advancement
being made in an extensive program Of
progress and betterment for all things
in the state Of Iowa. But II may pe
very important step.
The state teachers association, at its
sessions held in Des Mones last No
vember, authorized a committee con-
sisting Of State Superintendent a. II.
Deyoe: c.. P. Colgrove, Cedar Falls; NJ.
G. Clark, Sioux City; w. A. Jesup,
Iowa City; G. NJ. Wilson, Amos, and
Mrs. Amelia Burdick, Des Moines for
the purpose of making investigation
into the need of vocational education.
in the common schools. The commit
tee recently held meeting in the Of
fee of the state superintendent and de-
cided upon a course of procedure.
Training in Rural Schools.
The first and most direct work of the
committee will be to make inquiry as
to the possibilities of vocatio nal train
ing for the rural schools. Already it
has been provided by legislation that
the rudiments of agriculture and do
nestle science must be taught in these
schools. Already the state is paying to
encourage the special training in con-
Solidated schools for these VOcations.
But there is to be larger inquiry as to
the need or opportunity for specially
trained persons in farm work, he ad-
vantages Of some special education il
the science of agriculture, anu; the
manner in which this education can be
given in the one-room rural schools of
the state. Iowa is declared to be en-
tering upon a new era of Industrial ed
ucation and first consideration should
be given to the greatest OF Iowa in
dustries.
The inquiry. so members Of the COM
m;ttee say, will then be extended on
into other fields, as for instance, the
opportunities for persons skilled in the
building trades. in the arts and crafts.
in all useful occupations, the extent CT
factory and shop work. and whether or
not there are places for all who ray
become skilled laborers in any indus
trial field. The inquiry will go as to
the need OF special training for COM
p.ercial life, Tor work in banks, stores.
offices, insurance, railroads. etc.
An effort is to be made to discover
what are actual conditions in the state
as to the time of boys leaving school.
and what becomes of those who finish
high school courses and what is The flu
ture Of those who do not finish high
school. The preference of students in
school and Of their parents will be in
quired into.
1t is anticipated by the department
Of public instruction that this inquiry
and the resultant report will form the
basis of very important forward
movement in educational work in the
state.