Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-12

J carefully planned, united and concerted
movement TO get the children In the
schools. and Danish illitoracy. If the
equals the estimates made by the divi-
sion saporintendents. on the basis OF
tho October and November enrolment
our total enrolment at tho close OF
the october and November enrolment
an increase of 1886, or IL per cent
in three years. or an increase OF more
than $4,000 in one year. During no
ton-ycar period In recent years, prior
to 1913. did the increase III enroll
| ment equal the actual increase during
the past two years. or the probable
increase during the present session.
Under these circumstances l feel
, that the best legislation to promote
vocational training throughout the
borders OF this Commonwealth would
be four or five lines in our appropria-
ton bill. giving us enough money to
put tho work on the same basis ms our
high school work or graded school
work under the special acts, providing
State aid to all schools In which GER
tain work is introduced, or certain
equipment provided. This, as 1 have
before indicated, would stimulate local
initiative and local lcvies In both cities
and counties. or course, the vocational
fund should be made available in cities
us Gil as COuulleS, stnu 4 HtNe ialtu
to believe that our tax commission Will
provide sources of State revenue that
Will enable us TO take this advanced
step.
; SHOULD HAVE STATE
SCHOOL. INSPECTION
Under all the circumstances OF the
case. my keenest regret is that we
have no State school inspectop--ilo OK
pert. whose duty 1t would be to study
md n h.N cid ne
school life. That Is an Immediate need,
az 1t seems to me. The special in
spcctors of certidcation of teachers, OF
high schools. of agricultural and nor
NAL training courses in high schools
and OF negro schools are doing such
splendid work that one can almost see
in advance what the inspector OF in
dustrial training would accomplish.
The only question with the State board
is one OF ways and means. Our system
of organization is so responsive to
Wholesome stimuli, and the spirit OF
our educational leadership Is SO catho-
! lie and progressive that It really seems
! remarkable tome that some American
millionaire does not endow the State
system with a permanent fund of. say,
100000 or $4,000.
! HAVE GOOD LAWS,
ONLY NEED MONEY
"Virginla's latest and best statute on
vocation education reads as follows:
I: BE II enacted by tho General AS
sembly of Virginia, That the State
| Board of Education Is hereby author
ized and directed to investigate and
to assist In the Introduction OF indus
trial, agricultural. household arts and
commercinl education: to aid local
school authorities to initiate and SUI
pcrintend tho establishment and main
temnnce OF SCHOOLS and departments OF
schools or other agencies for the afore-
said forms OF education; to inspect
such schools. departments and agcn-
| cics. and to allow to such schools and
departments as are approved by said
schools and departments may be on
titled from time to time out of funds
| appropriated by the General Assembly
! for the benefit or such forms OF cdu-
F., cation.
! 80. ANY school district May, through
! the district school board thereof. es-
| tablish all-day, part time or continue
T. trial agricultural. household arts OF
E. commercial education and provide for
the support thereof in the same man
! ner "a for the regular schools of said
| district. Such education shall be OF
| less than college grade and be de-
| signed to meet the vocational needs Of
persons over fourteen years OF age who
] offered
| Considering the broad powers OF our
State Board or Education. ] feel That
| this statute, suggested by your dis.
| ttngutshed secretary. Mr.. Prosser. com,
pletes the circle of general statutes
and we have tho will; wo need the on
lightenment TINT expert supervision
Will give and the. quickenins influcnc,
| of more money!.