The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-01-07
Board of Education
CONTINUED from page -


Union"
Idaho Industrial Training School
Attendance at this school on the
date of the report, October 81, 1915,
was 14S boys and IS girls, while 33b
were cared for during the year SUI
perintendent HUMPHREYS acknowledges
valuable assistance from the State
Board of Education and Commissioner
Sisson He has high praise for the
policy of harmony and helpfulness.
Efficient work, better moral tone,
and health are reported A band, or.
chestra, weekly entertainments by the
students, and moving pictures play
important parts. Special stress is laid
on vocational training. The school
has 38 COWS, 81 horses, and SO hogs
while the value of the farm, garden
and orchard products for the year
is placed at $19,734.76.
State School for the Deaf and Blind
Superintendent Taylor reports this
school crowded even now while there
are deaf and blind children scattered
thru the state deprived of the advan-
tages of school training. The present
attendance is so deaf and 16 blind.
The $4,000 appropriated by the last
legislature for building was devoted
to the erection Of a wing S6x5S feet,
two stories high and basement. 1t is
of brick and wood and will be ready
next year. 1t is urgently needed to ac-
commodate the children now in the
school.
Public Schools of the State
Splendid work was done this year
in bringing all the schools in the state
into working harmony. This was In
good measure due to the fine spirit
shown by the county superintendent.
Thru them the state Office has been
able to keep in close touch with the
conditions in the counties. Either
the Commissioner or the State Super
intendent has attended all Institutes
and conventions. Representatives of
the state educational institutions have
done good work also in attending
these gatherings, not as representa-
tives of their own institutions, but as
representatives of the State Board of
Education.
This fixed policy of cooperation
makes it possible to unite and concen-
trate the educational forces of the en-
tire state upon the great problems
and tasks of education. Here are
three of the vital points:
1Better Rural Schools. To this end
the State Department is issuing a
handbook for rural teachers; 1t is
also preparing plans and specifications
for model one and two room school
houseA
2. High School Work This is be-
ing adapted to the actual needs Of Ida
ho young people. 1t means more at.
tention to vocational work, particular
ly in agriculture and economic and
civic training. Study of foreign Ian
guages has been made optional and
the requirements in natural and social
sciences have been doubled. Standard
high schools are also required to offer
at least two years Of vocational work.
8. More About Idaho. Plans are
well under way to place In the schools
of Idaho stories of pioneer life and
development suitable for the elemen-
tary schools; also history Of the
state for use in the upper grades and
high schools.
The Paramount Question
What are the children actually do
ing in the schools, and what are they
actually getting out Of their activity
This Commissioner Sisson holds to be
the heart of the school problem; all
else is means to an end. The ques-
ton is, What are the best activities
and exercises for these our school
children in this state and nation and
in this particular timer" Upon the
right answer to this question depends
the value of all our thot and labOrs
for the schools and the children.
No Educational Lobby
For perhaps the first time In the
history of Idaho there was no member
of the faculty of any state educational
institution before the Legislature this
year working for appropriations for
his particular school There was no
lobbying done The State Board OF
Education submitted it's report and
recommendations. The members held
themselves in readiness to respond to