The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1916-03-18
Efficiency In School MANAGEMENT
Many School Systems in the United Sates City, County and
State Having Surveys Made of Conditions, With the
Purpose in View of Increasing Their Efficiency


educational thought and practice is
the increasing desire on the part OF
the people to know about the system
to which they intrust their children
to be fitted for taking their proper
places and acting their parts in life.
This in itself is good and, indeed,
is necessary before the second step
can follow intelligently. Not only
have the people awakened to de-
sire to know. but they have also
begun to realize that simply knowing
about their school systems is not suf-
ficient, but that such knowledge must
bear fruit in practical application.
That knowledge is power is true with
reference to schools only in so far as
it is used intelligently for the estab-
lishment and furtherance of ra-
tional educational system. Such
a system contemplates the maximum
of efficiency with the minimum of
waste. In this system the finished
productive pupil-will be the most
finely adjusted to take his rightful
place in the world by a life of dyna-
mic and uplifting service. Such a
system provides for doing as well as
knowing; both of which, with per-
feet adjustment, is living.
One of the most effective means
that have been used in learning of
school conditions in any locality or
State is the survey" For the sur
vey to be of greatest benefit, the
findings of the survey commissi On
should be published so that the people
may have opportunity not only to
know about their educational system,
but, knowing, to take steps to remedy
any weaknesses.
Nevada has fallen in line and has
made start for survey on small
scale. The survey made of Portland's
school system a few years ago was
productive of much good. San Fran
cisco's survey has not been complet-
ed. but promises to produce great
good, as did Portland's. So also the
surveys in other portions of the Unit
ed States.
Mr.. Adamson. representing the
Nevada Educational Survey Commits
sion, was in Eureka recently, looking
into educational conditions here.
Efficiency is the goal at which the
educational systems are aiming, and
the purpose of the surveys is to help
reach this.
Bearing upon this line of efficiency
in schools, especially in school man.
agement, there has appeared time
ly article in a recent issue of Better
Schools" This article is by Mr..
Reynold E. Blight, who is a former
member of the Board of Education
Of Los Angeles and knows whereof
he speaks.
In speaking of the board of control
of school system, Mr.. Blight shows,
first, the great power the board has
over the system. Next he points out
that such condition may not be so
much to be deplored, if the board
appreciates the responsibility of its
position and the splendor of its OPP
portunity." Third, he defines an
ideal board, and finally suggests a
means of securing such.
The ideal board" says he, Twill
realize that the purpose of school
system is to educate the children.
Everything else. must be subordin-
ate to this one subject. Until school
director is so thoroughly convinced
of this fundamental principle that he
will test every question that comes
before him by this infallible and in
variable standard. and is therefore
absolutely proof against any sophis-
try or cajolery, he is utterly unfit to
sit on board. ;.
''The ideal board will represent
the whole community and not any
particular part thereof. A board