Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-04-30
new sCaOOL CODE FOR OHIO

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The General assembly of Ohio in special SEES
sion has just finished a complete revision of the
state school code Sweeping changes are made
in the public school system. 1t is doubtful if
there has ever been more constructive and pro-
gresslve school legislation enacted by single
session Of the legslaturein any other state with
in the last half century.
TO get 4 clear understanding of how all this
was accomplished, it is necessary to know some
thing OF the Ohio state school survey which pre-
cesled this legislation The story Of this survey
is given in the report to the governor of Ohio
biz the state school survey commission which
Was created by an act which passed the general
assembly February 26, 1913, toeonduct survey
Of the public schools, normal schools, and the
agricultural schools Of the state. The survey
was d cooperative field study conducted by Dr.
Horace Il Britain Of the New York Training
School for Public Service 1t comprised an in.
teilsive study Of $50 rural village schools in So
counties, and an extensive study of 1000 school
rooms and S95 school systems; it was partici-
pated in by IA professors in professional schools
for the training of teachers and 116 students in
these institutions most Of whom had had expert
ence in rural teaching, 395 superintendent Of
schools and other school men and women and
5000 teachers who supplied information for the
commission. 1t was statewide revival in school
matters as well as a state wide scientific survey
of school conditions BY proclamation, Gov
ernor Cox named November IA, 1918, as state
school survey day for the entire state, in which
he said, "Let ii be a day of genuine awakening.
The necessity and opportunity of the hour call
for it.n 1t is estimated that 1000 community
meetings we're held on this date where probably
100000 citizens Of Ohio learned of school cen.
ditions throughout the state and listened to the
remedies suggested for improvement.
The commission in its letter of transmittal
says: eve have tried to make matter of fact
statement of the results of our field work Our
motto has been, Nothing extenuate, nor set down
mIght in malice We have taken no pleasure in
laying bare deplofable conditions. We believe
the simple statement of these conditions will dc
much to bring about the reforms which we urge
We have also found much to commend good
teachers, good conditions, and good spirit. Or
these we must build"
The recent school legislation in Ohio was en-
acted in the light of this survey. The more i'm
portrait provisions are:
l. New rural school supervision law Under
this act the school districts of the state are tt
be styled respectively, city school districts vii
large school districts, rural school districts, an'
county school districts
. New Qualifications law. There is to be
state board of school examiners, consisting o
five competent persons, residents of the state
to be appointed by the superintendent of publ
instruction, not more than threesof whom slal
belong to the same political party.
g. Law on the training ofteachers for villag
and rural schools. Boards of education Whic
maintain first grade high schools in village o
rural districts may establish Normal depart
ments in such schools for the training of teach
ers for village and rural schools. Not less thai
one nor more than three such schools shall b
established in any county. The superintendent
OF public instruction is to designate schools t
establish such departments.
e. Law basing the distribution of the Stat
school fund on the number of teachers and ave.
age daily attendance of pupils.
& Law on minimum salaries for teachers \
person shall be employed to teach in any publ