The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-25
BENNINGTON, VT, JULY rs. 1914
SCHOOL NEEDS


at Burlington the governor was pres
ent and invited the superintendent
present to suggest changes, improve
ments and possible advance methods
that could be adopted to advantage.
Practically all the school superin-
tendents Of the state were present
and they spent some time in consid-
ering the matter brought up by Gov
ernor Fletcher and finally agreed to
the following declaration of prin-
ciples:
We, the Union Superintendent of
the State of Vermont do hereby de-
clare and affirm the following prin-
ciples and policies to be conductive
to the educational welfare of the
State
We believe that increased emphasis
should be placed upon the fact that
the school is for the child; that the
study of the child and the develop
ment of its powers is the chief con.
cen of the teacher; that the course
of study should be related to the life
of the community. and that the pub
lie school should provide adequate
and equal opportunity for every
child.
We believe that the minimum age
for admission to the elementary
schools should not be less than six
years.
hpl Int h. axsi,e
number of pupils taught by one
teacher in both graded and rural
schools should be limited by law
We believe that the welfare of the
individual child should not be sacri-
feed to the requirements of an innex-
ible system of grading and promo
ton
We believe i'm improved and AIDE
quate training facilities in orde' to
provide a trained teacher for every
school at the earliest possible date
We believe that a minimum wage
for elementary teachers should be es-
tabished by law.
We believe that ii is the duty OF
assist the teachers under their super.
vision to increase their efficiency by
professional reading and study.
We believe that superintcndents.
should be secured in their positions
by legislative enactment and subject
to removal only for cause and with
the approval OF the State Board Of
Education.
We believe that supervision
throughout the State should be re-
quiced by law and that the Board of
Education should have authority to
determine the limits of the super
visory unions.
We believe that the six-year ele-
mentary and the six-year secondary
school plan is correct in principle
and should be investigated as to its
adaptability to the various sections
of the State and recommended for
trial where conditions are favorable.
We believe that the State should
appropriate sum of money 10 be
added annually to the School Fund
for increased State aid.
We believe that the term standard
school should be substituted in the
law for the term legal school, with
specific definition of what shall
constitute a standard school, includ-
ing condition of building and
grounds, material equipment. and
qualifications and educational pc
paration of the teacher. in order to
promote the establishment and main
tenance of superior schools and pre-
vent the distribution of public funds
for the support of inefficient and I'M
economical schools.
We believe that a comprehensive
pension system should be adopted as
means OF securing greater educa-
tional efficiency.
We favor Board OF Education
which shall administer tho laws of
the State relating to public educa-
ton. which shall have control Of all
educational institutions suppo ted by
the State and which shall direct and
CCntrcl the expenditure Of all money
appropriated by the State for cduca-
tional purposes.
We recognize tho needs Of experts
in special lines covering the field Of
Education, as investigate % special
problems and needs. and as official
advisers TO superintendent and teach
err
We believe that educational pro
gcee5 Is promoted and that tho hes;
Interests 81 the State arc conserved
by investigation and inqui y. and
Nc pledge our cooperation with all
agencies that aim to discover weak
nCsses and devise remedies without
prejudice and with loyalty TO the
welfare of our State.