The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1919-01-03
STATE EDUCATORS MEET
Matters Discussed at Boise Last
Week.

! when ne ATTENDED:
The state superiOtendents' meeting
at Boise was rather pnorly attend q
This year However, about sky
educators from every part of be- state
came together to discuss the need Of
our schools today
In many ways Education has today
new Significance. The importance
Of educAiiun, bot h general and tech
nical, has been revealed by he war.
1t has revealed, also, some ways ia
which our schools have failed To reach
out far enuf Large numbers of men
OF draft age were found unfit for
military service. Altogether too
many Of these mcn were found 10 BIZ
i!literate and even had To be taught
to speak English before they could
render service OF the nature our Gov
eminent asked Of them. These and
MANY other timely subjects were dis
cusSed, and remedies and recOnstruc-
tion debated.
Detiuite action was, taken looking
toward the solution Of many of these
problems. More practical physical
education was recommended, instead
of deVoting much stress on athletics
which developed only part of the
student body. Many schools have
medical inspection of pupils by either
nnrseS or doctors, and such examiDa-
tions have revealed most eXtraordi-
nary conditions in the schools where
this important work has been
Much attention was given to the
question Of better rural schools, and
the preparation of rural school teach.
erS. 1t was agreed that our High
Schools are not properly preparing
those pupils who are constantly
entering rural school work. Commit.
tees that had been at work for some
time on the reconstruction of high
school courses reported, and recon-
mended an additional teachers
training course to be offered including
the subjects Of Arithmetic, Geography
and Grammar. Definite outlines were
which give new viewpoint |
Of these subjects. The short course
that prospective rural teachers get at /
the normal schools can only include |
methods and actual professional |
training and must exclude to a large
extent the subject matter of the
subjects taught.
A great deal Of attention was given
70 the discussion OF Amerlcanization.
Many details were debated of
bill requiring all foreigners
Who cannot read or write to attend
hight school. 1t was finally agreed
20 recommend to the Legislature the
GLOWING details: That course of
90 hours be devoted to such work
zach yegr; that the subjects offered be
history, English and Amercanism.
hat an appropriation of $4,000 be
made for defraying one half the
expense OF such courses, the other
lalf devolving upon the local
districts; that the duty OF arranging
or such education falls upon the
ocal Boards OF Education; and that
he law apply to those within two
niles of school house.
Among other legislation considered
ias the "Smith Educational Bil.n
'hich provides for separate Depart
lent OF Education, with a district
ecretary of education heading that
apartment. The greater recognition
the Importance of education, and
S larger scope, makes the passage of
his bill practical, People all over
De Nation pay as much for education
for all other purposes combined. or s
lore. However, there are features in {
ne bill that many educators deemed {
Objectionable, altho it was drafted by
committee of>the National Educa 6
onal Association. The target for r
he greatest criticism was the feature .
hich required each State to have her ;
etailed plans submitted to this
'cretary, and sanctioned by him, :.
efore any apportionment would come J
ON the national school fund. This [
light lead to too great paternalism.