Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-02-09
STATE FEDERATION
OF WOMEN'S CLUBS

To the Club Women of Washington:
Educational matters are attracting
more attention in the state of Wash
lngton right now than ever before in
its history. If half the bills before
the present Legislature become laws
many changes will take place in our
educational system as well as in our
institutions of higher learning.
We have always prided ourselves
upon the interest women take in the
schools; the reforms they have
brought about or supported; the
evils they have eradicated; in fact,
the active encouragement they have
given all along the line.
But most surprising thing to this
com mittee is lack of interest
among the clubs in this really vital
question. There is a strong tenden-
cy on the part of the clubs to leave
all this work in the hands of other
organizations but there are phases
of the question that are not consid-
cred by any other active organiza-
tions and that we should not neglect.
We should either move that the edu-
cational department Of the State
Federation be abandoned, or we
should give some attention to the
work as clubs.
individually, many club women
are intensely interested in the pres
ent situation. An attempt is being
made by the legislature to remedy
some evils, to introduce new fea-
lures, to lay foundation for the
educational survey committee has
been given at this session and many
bills have been introduced to carry
out the recommendations suggested.
We should neither approve nor con-
denim the findings of this commsttee
Eunless we make at least cursory
study of the report. Have you done
so?
Many other bills are of interest to
you. Do you know the provisions
of the bill in regard to the eighth
grade examinations?
The bill which gives the county
superintendent of schools a salary in
some way commensurate with the
work required and which raises the
qualifications for the office is also
important.
All along the line, if you are fol-
lowing these bills-and if you have
children in school you have no ex-
cuse if you are not you will no
tice a marked attempt to raise the
standards; the standard necessary
for entrance to normal schools; the
standard required of teachers; of
county superintendent. All this is
step in the right direction to be
gradually worked out as the state
grows older. Through vocational
training, which has not received its
share of attention, the value of the
schools to the average future citizen
would be greatly increased.
The state uperintendent among
many splendid recommendations re-
commends the plan for the standard
ization of the rural schools submit
ted by the Washington educational
association. Last year the commit
tee sent a strong plea to the clubs
to help the rural schools, to arouse
them to the Importance of standard
ization along the lines suggested by
the W. Il. A. and the plans then be-
ing perfected by the state office. We
would like reports from the clubs.
Will you not write us about what
you have done to help one rural
school? In many clubs Fhe first
meeting in February is still observed
as Education Day. You never had
so much material from which to
draw for real live discussion as now.
Do not fail to take advantage of it.
And please tell the committee all
about it.
ADA SPRAGUE NOVEL;,
Chairman Educational Com mittee.
w g r w C.