Las Vegas optic., 1914-11-16
CHANGES IN EDUCATIONAL.
SYSTEM

partisan politics Free text books and
higher salaries for those high in edu-
cational circles also were proposed
as advisable.
While some OF the changes propos-
ed by the Kansans are somewhat radi-
cal. or at least quite new, The Optic
believes they are worthy of considerar
tion. It submits them, without rec
ommendation or condemnation, to the
educators Of New Mexico and all 9TH
er persons IN the state interested in
the betterment Of the school system.
They are In the form Of resolutions
as follows:
Resolved, that we heartily endorse
the plstform declarations Of the poll
tica parties favoring the removal Of
the election of the ssate superintend-
dent and county superintendents from
the influence of partisan politics and
we confidently expect the enactment
of this declaration into law, and to
that end we, the teachers of Kansas,
pledge our active cooperation.
Resolved, that in the interest OF
providing a plan for the more equit-
able distribution Of the expense OF
maintaing the public schools. we
recommend that the county be made
the basis of taxation for school pur-
poses.
Resolved, that in the interest OF
improving the professional aspects Of
teaching we favor,
"First-the enactment into law Of
a -certificating plan adapted to the
various types of positions in our school
system and to recognizing the differ
ent degrees of preparation for teach
ling.
second. Modifying the present nor
NAL institute system so as to enable
county superintendents to provide a
five to ten-day professional insipira-
tional institute; and in certificating
teachers permitting in lieu of the coun-
ty examination theacceptance Of grades
in corresponding subjects secured by
school attendance under the approval
of the state board of education.
Third Raising the standard for ad-
mission to the teaching profession and
lnsurIng greater security TO worthy
and successful teachers in their posi-
tions, and providing just and proper
plan for fhe retirement of teachers on
pensions.
"ResaEged, That we favor legislation
providing high school advantages free
Of tuition to every boy and girl in the
state Of Kansas whose scholastic at
tainments entitle him to attend higf
Ischool
Resolved, That since the text books
available for use in the public schools
ARE Of such vital Importance to the
results which may be secured we ia
vor legislation:
'F,irst-Requiring all school districts
and boards Of education to supply free
text books to all pupils entitled to free
school privileges within their respec-
tive districts:
Second Making it possible for
school districts or boards of educa-
ton to supply such supplementary
books. as they may require in meeting
their own special needs and in real
izing their own peculiar opportunities,
provided they make bona fide use
of all state adopted or published text
books in the subjects thus supple
mented; and
Third Providing that the majority
Of the members Of the estate school
book commission shall be made up of
persons actively engaged in public
school work in order that the largest
lpossible benefit OF the experience and
professional training Of the teachers
of the state may be available in the
selection of text books or manuscripts
for the same.
Resolved, That we favor the reor-
ganization and the strengthening of the
state department Of education SO as to
permit the administration of the pub
lie school system Of our state in a
manner most serviceable to the people
generally and most satisfactory to
those engaged in the work of educa-
ton; such reorganization to include
"First-The payment to the state
superintendent Of public instruction
and his assistants salaries, correspond
ing to- the salaries paid to similar Of
ficers in other states and equal to the
salaries Of the best paid state officers
in this state and commensurate with
the character Of the duties imposed
and the qualifications required
Second The provision of adequate
facilities for the performance Of the