The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1914-04-20
TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND OUR OTHER GUESTS,
GREETING.

GREETING.
For the first time since its establish
ment, the Board of Education will as
semble all its own members and the
heads of the several state institutions
of learning for a deliberate and
painstaking consideration of the re-
suits of the expert study of the school
system Of the state of Idaho made,
during the year just past by the COM
missioner of education chosen by the
board a year ago. Presumably the
commissioners reports will include a
detailed presentation of the educational
situation in Idaho and definite rec
concentrations as to the policies to
be adopted. Hitherto the official
bulletins issued by the commioner have
disappointed many persons in many
places because the reports were vague,
general, and, in no small measure,
apologize. 1t is to be supposed that
he will now be able to tell us just
what is the matter with the schools
in Idaho or whether anything is the
matter, and what remedy, if any,
should be applied A general dis
cussion will doubtless follow the COM
missioner's diagnosis and prescrip-
tons. Without question this will be
the most significant conference of men
upon the subject of education ever
held in this state The task broadly
viewed is stupendous. 1t comprises
not alone the problem of the state in
stitutions and the equitable adjust
ment of their claims for support and
for special fields of work, but also the
problem of the common schools, which,
SO far the educational future of the
state is concerned, exceeds in import
ance that of the established institu-
lions of learning; and which should
occupy the major portion of the time
and attention of the commissioner |
State schools have their own heads |
well qualified for the adj
of their own affairs. The
and standardization of all
the common schools from the primary
grades through the high school is pc
the work of the state COM
missioner; and it is here, and not in
his comparatively unimportant work in
with the state institutions,
hat his merit or lack of it will be dem
onstrated and the ACCESSIBILITY of
so high salaried position
will be determined. The public schools
ire the foundation upon which the
state schools must stand or fall.
Many boys and girls never get beyond
he high school, Still more never en-
er the high schools. 1t is therefore
impossible to overstate the prime ne
essity of furnishing children in the J
and secondary schools the
cry best training that money and +
God Judgment can buy. 1t is general c
y felt that our common schools cost t
heir respective communities too much /
nd do too little for the child. In pro- c
ortion as the commissioner of educa-
on is able to evolve and establish a
ystem by which all boys and girls
, Idaho can get the maximum of O
God at the minimum of cost will he Ii
erve a useful purpose in this state. &
he change and improvements which is
lie commissioner recommends for d
lie common school will be watched i
it'll greater concern by the majority D
! Idaho citizens than anything he W
ay have to say, interesting as that Il
i'll be, about the state institutions. L
If the conference to be held here h
lis week is to accomplish anything d
n the highest good of Idaho, those id
no participate must needs have
.oad vision, careful judgment, the
ost disinterested of motives, and the
,ility to weight and sift evidence and
act intelligently upon facts sub
tilted. May the members of the
ard of education and the heads of
Q state schools successfully rise to
situation which demands SO much OF =
EN-; and may the one and only aim g,
all deliberations and recommended '
ms be the establishment of a COM
shensive school system that will make Sc
ways, Enthusiastically, and rapidly for sa
create and better Idaho. We
During their stay in the city, it is an
9 general hope that the distinguish me
educators who are now our guests Oh
IL receive every courtesy for which Ph