The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-12-16

for which it is impossible to file defi-
mite claims, yet which are unavoid-
able in the large amount of travel re-
quired in the discharge of duty in the
case of such board During the first
year of the new administration the
members of the board devoted on the
average more than two months of
solid working days to actual sessions
of the board and committees
THE first policy of the board, and
the one which dominates all the rest,
may be expressed in the phrase getting
together educationally. This is the
very essence of the Idaho plan. 1t Is
designed to promote harmony instead
of discord and cooperation instead of
antagonism and even in the short
period of its operation progress has
been gratifying in this direction. A
new spirit of sympathy and mutual
aid is arising both among the several
state institutions and between them
and the public schools.
1.-THE Idaho plan renders itp osible
to find out which way we really want
to move and then unite our forces in
pushing forward along the desired
line. This is the secret of progress"
Getting at the Facts.
The speaker showed how the state
department of education is collecting
essential data and facts concerning the
vast field of the school work. The BIZ
ennial report of the board. issued in
January last. laid before the legisla-
ture information bearing upon the big
problem of school expenditures such
as had never before been available.
The members of the legislative COM
mites repeatedly expressed their ap-
probation of this data furnished ready
to hand.
Improve Rural Schools.
The state department is issuing a
handbook for rural teachers and is
preparing full sets of plans and speci-
| fications for several types of modern
one and two-roOm school buildings.
A set of requirements for stand
ard" and superior" rural schools will
soon be issued for the guidance and
help of county superintendent, dis
trict boards and teachers.
To make the arithmetic, nature
study, geography, and language worl
of the rural school fit in more effect
lively with the wealth of illustrative
mater found in a country environ
ment-this is another end being aimee
at in the state-the rural school mus
substitute farm and household prob
lens for much of abstract and useleS
mater found in text books.
High School Work Adapted to Rea
Needs.
High school work is being adapte
| to the actual interests and needs O
Idaho young people. This means NOR
attention to vocational work, particu
arly in agriculture, and to economi
and civic training to prepare for serN
ice in community, state and nation.
: The state board of education wit
: the practically unanimous approval {
people and educators has made tn
4 study of foreign languages optiona
: and has doubled the required amour
of natural science and of the Soci;
e sciences; it also requires all standar
4 high schools to offer two years of VI
J, cational work.
d More intelligence and informatio
e about Idaho for Idaho children to |
t given. Work has been begun on a &C
v lection of stories of pioneer life al
IS development suitable for use in Il
e elementary schools, and a history
V the state for use in the upper grad
Is and the high school. The people al
IS the educators throughout the sta
f. are enthusiastic over this propose
and abundant help and support a
Is pledged to ensure its success.
a Increasing Interest Shown.
al The throb of life and deep intere
a is shown throughout the whole schO
10 system. Everywhere the people a
n ready and eager to aid ands uppo
III whatever is needed fort he best c
x velopment and training of their chil
or ren. The state of Idaho is engag
~ in a forward movement al along
es educational line.