The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-06
Aim 70 Raise
Standard Of
Small School

Small School
DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT OF
STATE BEGIN INFORMANT CON.
FERENCE - MANY PROBLESIs
ARE DISCUSSED.
With the view Of definitely mapping
ue plans for the coming session and
xcnanging practical ideas for the
snare Of tho schools throughout the
sate. the division superintendent OF
lrsinia yesterday began in this city q
nree days conference. which promises
nost fruitful results. The meeting wa
allied to order at 10 A. M. in the audi
Drum Of the Chamber Of Commerce
President c. B. Bowry. Of Burke
ne, who subsequently yielded the
lair to State Superintendent r. c.
teArnes.
At tho morning session more than
rty superintendents were in attend
ice. Many others who had been de-
ahsd BY their commencement exer-
- or county board meetings will
zach the city today. Tho entire staff
tho Department Of Public Instruc-
Dn were also present and took an
efive part in the proceedings
The earnestness Of purpose which
aracterixed the conference was dem
i1krated by the promptners ~i-
'rh the school superintendent got
-, - ok. After or. ~
Oapt q. L Darst, Of Pulaski. and
,ei...menl OF the usual commit
-. the visiting educators forthwith
OK up the regular program.
Closer Attention Urged.
The nrst subject considered. How
~ OF the State TeAcherv Exam nina
Pns?" ELECTED = long and interesting
pcussion. 1upt. r. b. Fitzpatrick.
Bristol. though emphasizing the
lsksd imrovement In tho examine
2 returns Of today. stated that the
Ard Of Examiners occasionally
1Ae across cases In which the appli-
nts apparently had had improper ac-
y to text-books He advised his as
ctAtes to pay such strict attention
the conduct Of the examinations "a
remove all possibility Of tempta-
n.
Dupt Bowry,r dwelt on the import
- q careful grading. likewise COM
D1tsd on the treat Improvement In
papers now received. Supt. W. q.
NEST caro- In grading the papers by
superintendents and their assist
t. suggested that pains should be
zen to have the applicant seated AZ
N distance from one another AZ to
lid all possibility Of Irregularities.
pector e. e. Worre1l emphasized
importance Of having the depart
lnt'a forms properly filled out. and
Igested other measures that would
move the possibility of collusion OF
suspicion OF irregularity.
other speakers who participated in
discussion were Superintendents F,
West. c. l.. Scott. r. A. Dobie, F,
Wheatley, +. W. Lewis. E. l. Oars,
r. NJ Martin.
why the Failures.
developed in the course OF the dis
hsion that many OF the applicants
10 take the uniform examinations
poorly prepared and that hence
r. is a considerable proportion OF
ures. In order to obviate the UNI
sesaary work which falls on the
ldon superintendents and OF the
partment Of Public Instruction by
efforts OF these incompetents. 1;
sugEestcd that some restriction he
ced on those taking the examina-
10. At the instance OF Supt Martin
superintendents adopted a resolu-
declaring that 1t was the sense
the body that some means be de-
Ia by which the number OF appli-
u for the uniform examinations be
tied Supt. Darst then moved the
(Ointment of a committee of five Ia
the matter under consideration
report back with recommends
10 As members of this commit
the chair appointed Superintend-
r. NJ. Martin. E. l.. >Darst, q. 9.
mes and J. II. stephens and In
etor E. r worrell.
IL. OF course. the wish of the De-
kment of Public instruction and OF
division auperinten6ents that as
shall take the uniform examina-
d, but there Is q decided opinion
but scant encouragement should
given those whose lack OF educa-
and, training foredooms them to
ARE.
GEandardixinx Small Schools.
be superintendents next took up
consideration the subject. Stand
xtng the One and Two Room
nty Schools" Supt. Paxton. the
speaker. particularly emphahzed
need for good teachers. LET us
urs," said he. that the one-room
0l 10 not D OnG-uOTeo 9CnOOl
10 subject was further discussed by
Stephens. who though speaking
opttmistically. also urged high
b, both In the matter Of teachers
equipment. Inspector J. H. Bin
who has devoted much OF his
to the Standardization OF the one
two-room schools, quoted sta
= showing the excellent work now
done In some Of these diminu-
stsmples Of learning" He said
tthis Geld Of educational activity
6ne which challenged the heart
soul Of those interested in the
OF learning a. two-thirds OF the
Try boys and girls get their cduca-
In one and two-room schools. He
"a many practical suggestions
made a stirring appeal for the
athy Of all his hearers.
J. A. G. Chandler. OF this city.
stated that he had been particu-
Impressed with the recent Inn
ment Of the one and two-room
ID advised the superintendent TO
10 them with the best Of teach
IL was his opinion. however. tina.
uld be wiser not to build more CT
slaao Of schools than Is absolute
Dary, although those actually ii.
mo- should be carefully matured.