The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-25
TIE COURSE Ar rAnMvnLLi3.

Srmbly 10 Improve and lcDgthen the
course a, Tarmvine Normal School
deserves the most serious and friendly
consideration
Already Virginia has shown her In
tercsi In improving the mental equip
n.nt OF teachers IN the public schools
by establishing four normal schools FOR
tho training OF the young women en-
rared In this work There IS not tho
slightest doub, that the benefit 20 the
public schools OF Virginia has been
very great, even though lcss than 10
per cent OF tho teachers now engaged
IN that worl, wero trimmed IN the nor
NAL schools
Not even Massachusetts, which has
ten normal schools, has been able TO
have more than 40 per cont OF he.
elementary teachers trained in those
institutions. II le not. therefore likely
INST Virginia will ever have Mi OF her
teachers graduates OF normal schools
But virginia can very readily necurc
a system that viii make cyory teacher
in high school not only normal
school graduate, but q teacher that has
}
college education, and IS thereby fitted
in the fullest WHY for work in tho
high school
There arc over 200 high school
teachers IN Virginia, OF which 559 have
had loss than two years work nj
college AS the great majority Of the
children Of this generation cannot OK
pect more education than they VIII re-
ceiye at the high school, tt is g matter
OF extreme importance that these chill.
dren shall an nave the highes, and
most Intelligent form OF instruction
during that crucial period OF their in
tellectuaI development
Viewing the other side OF the ques-
lion, the fact that there are 7oi uornnl
teachers In the high schools OF the
state is OF Itself all the proof necessary
that tho State should provide salts
factory place for the instruction and
equipment OF these women for the very
important work they have to do. Al
ready tho Farmvine Normal school
has given two years OF advanced work.
which offers the girls who take that
course a; least four years preparation
beyond the lower grades OF the high
school work.
The aim and object in training high
school teachers is 20 carry them to a
point where they viii have taken at
least four years beyond high school
work
And the development o.. the work
at the Fnrmville state Normal has now
reached u point who're, for a very small
outlay, It would be not only possible,
out simple, 10 so extend the course of
instruction as TO give ali students a
comp!ets four years course IN college
grades without Interfering with the
work now being done I'm training ele-
nentary teachers Already 30 per cent
- the students at Farfnviue are sum
oienty we'i srouHqrd in college WORK
TO meet The rs.eG'-t.rperts Of the lead
ING universities IN thla state.
II 'ha course be extended as Presi-
dent Jarm0n suggeata Il will make 1t
possiOle for all The young women who
sttond me Farmoilo Normal School
70 acquire college education.
From Vlscount Bryce. tho former
Gnglish manifestation 10 thls country
and from tho lips Of every grea,
thinker on edncntion in THE or In any
other lendr we iave the same conclu-
sion that the way 10 educate the man,
IS 70 elevate the standard Tor the teach.
ers Under such conditions Farnyin,
nae great Opportunity 70 Increase IT,
services not only to the public schools
but 20 lAe life aud wcli-belas OF tn,
whole state.