The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
BY Mabel Horner, County Supt.

ary 2Sth. The first annual meeting
of the Decatur County Educational
Association.
We believe that much interest is
felt in this coming event and that
the teachers of the county generally
are planning to be present. This is
the third call that has come to the
rural teachers this winter. We regret
. that they should have crowded upon
each other as they have but it never
would do to hold the first annual
meeting of the Decatur County Edu-
cational Association and not include
in it's activities the largest depart
ment of the association. We do not
expect to hear complaints from the
teachers who have been present on
former occasions. They are faithful,
energetic and glad for every oppor-
tunity to gain much or little that
may add to their efficiency in the
school room. Those who have not
responded to the former calls GER
tainly have no occasion for COM
plant. Some we know have been
unavoidably detained elsewhere;
others we fear were absent through
Indifference. Be the cause what it
may, we hope all who have not at
2
connection with the contests and ex-
hibits, will see in next Saturdays
gathering an opportunity to demon
strate that they are not without pro-
fessional spirit.
There will be no Normal Institute
this summer in the county as hereto
fore, and this is therefore probably
the last general gathering of the
teachers before next fall. We hope
it may mean much to the educational
interests Of the county.
:: :: ::
Decatur county has occasion to re-
joice in the victory won by the La
moni High school debating team from
the Bedford team Friday, Feb. 18th.
The question debated was Resolved
that all corporations doing an inter-
state business should be required to
take out Federal Charter" Lamont
having the affirmative with Arthur
Church, Fred Stubbart and Dwight
Davis. The judges were Supts. Adam
Pickett of Creston, P. A. Long of
Garden Grove and o. E. Smith of
Indianola.
The Lamont High School has par
ticipated in three debating contests
previous to this, and has won in ev-
cry instance. The victory this year
is one of which we may be especially
proud, owing to the fact that Bed
ford held the championship of the
district last year.
:: :: ::
Supt. 0. M. Gass, of the Leon
schools, has been conducting a series
of contests in the sixth, seventh and
eighth grades, at, the north building
which have proved wonderful in
centive to interest in school work,
both in the school and in the COM
munities After series of try
outs" in the respective grades repre-
sented, the series eliminated in a
public contest in the assembly room
Saturday afternoon. Each grade was
represented by a team of three.
There were contests in addition, null
tiplying, naming of states and CAPT
tails in certain order, freehand map
drawing, singing, spelling and quo
tations. The eighth grade won the
greatest number of points and re-
ceived as a reward a splendid clock
for the school room.
:: :: :. I
The Eighth Grade Examination is !
being written in fifty rural schools
this week by about 140 pupils
if all write who have been reported
by the teachers 1t is also being |
given in most of the town schools.
After July LIST, 1915, Agriculture
and Domestic Science must be taught
in the rural schools of Iowa. This
means that teachers will have to
earn grades in these subjects. The
state department states that ulti-
mately the examinations will be bas-
ed upon semester course consisting
of three recitations and two labora-
tory periods per week, but that for
the first examination it will be based
upon a twelve weeks course. This
course may be taken in two summer
school terms of six weeks each.
Likewise the twelve weeks normal
training required of new applicants
for certifica ties, may be taken in the
two six-week terms of summer
school, All persons expecting to be-
gin teaching in 1915 should note
this normal training requirement
and govern themselves accordingly.
-: :: ::
The Iowa State College at Ames Of
fers a free tuition in rural and
81 duc lSdCilSlo COul sc lIdI |
general agriculture, home economy.
manual training and the so-called
higher branches required for first
grade certificate. The work is ar
ranged to meet the requirements of
recent legislation. Admission to the
course requires graduation from the
common school and the recommended
ton of the county superintendent of
schools.
-: :: ::
The Thirty-ffth General Assembly
made some important changes in the
laws governing the election of school
officers in city and town school cor
porations having five and seven d.
rectors. Following are some of the
features to be observed:
L. Only the secretary of the board
is authorized to print ballots.
2. He shall enter in alphabetical
order only such names as are pre-
sented to him by petition, for the
1HS Of