The Idaho Republican., 1914-04-17
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
To the editor:

Many of our people are anxious for
some definite reforms in the educa-
tional system of the state, and are
looking to the state board of educa-
ton for action in the matter. Some
have become little impatient of
delay. and in one or two cases the
press has given definite utterance
to the feeling-generally in rational
and dignified manner. May present
a brief outline of the situation and
policy of the board, so that the public
may more fully understand its pro-
cedure?
First, the board is loaded with a
mass of administrative duties form
erly shared by six separate and dis
tinct boards. The board is directly
responsible for six state institutions,
enrolling in the course of the year
more than 1000 young people. These
institutions cover the whole field of
higher and special education, and in
clude also statewide work in agri-
cultural extension, experiment and
demonstration.
Some of the most important items
of the work are: the appointment of
teachers and other employees, of whom
there are in all not less than two
hundred in the six institutions; the
supervision of purchases Of supplies
and equipment; the inspection and ap-
proval of every voucher paid; the
adjustment of educational and busi-
ness problems in each institution.
Each school has its peculiar problems
which receive the attention first of
a. committee and then, If necessary,
Of the, board.
Besides this, the board exercises,
through the office Of the state super
intendent, general supervision over
the wide field of the public schools,
dealing with the certifcation of all
teachers in the state, the framing of
the course of study. the adoption of
text books, approval Of plans for
school buildings, etc.
Moreover, there are no precedents
to guide us; the whole plan is new,
and we are very busy finding the
best ways to proceed. The public
should not forget that under the new
administration the work of all the
institutions has moved along without
a single serious break, AMI with in
creased economy and efficiency in a
number of lines. So much cannot be
said of several other states which
have attempted similar joint control.
Had the duties of the state board
of education been limited to an in
vestigation of existing conditions and
the rectifying of such weaknesses
as might be found it is altogether
probable that the people of the state
would have already been in possession
of facts such as indicated in your
editorial, but the dual duty of ad-
ministration and investigation has
been too burdensome to permit OF
earlier conclusions as to possible re.
forms, and the board is only now ar.
irving at the point where definite
recommendation can safely be made
With regard to presumed defects in
the present system, and the need
of reorganization, it must be remem.
bered that we are dealing with sys.
tenn which is the growth of years, and
is rooted deep in the hearts anG
minds of men he would be rash in.
deem who would lay hasty hands upon
the schools. The problem of the
higher institutions particularly is one
of extreme difficulty, owing to the
fact that peoples opinions very with
the geographical situation and in
many cases are passionate in their
intensity. Toward any particular in.
stitution you will find among it's al.
herents enthusiastic loyalty and
among it's opponents intense preju.
dice.
Meanwhile, an earnest study has
been made of the whole educational
situation in the state. The commits
sioner has completed a preliminary
survey or reconnaissance of the edu-
cational situation, and will report to
the board at their next meeting in
April. With their authorization a
bulliten will then be issued contain
ing the essential facts and such pro-
posals as can be definitely reached
at this time. The facts will set forth
as fully as possible the nature of our
education problem with respect
to the higher institutions and the
public schools Some remedies and
improvements the board can itself
effect, and these it is dealing with as
rapidly as possible. In the larger
matters the board can only make pro-
posals; enactment must be by the leg
islature and the people.
Yours very truly,