Evening journal., 1919-05-10
ORGANIZE TO help
new School code
Features Of Progressive
Law Discuss, d by Teachers
at Newark
u. OF P. DEAN MADE
ADDRESS TO-DAY
special 10 The Evening IourpM

NEWARK, May i0-M conference Of
high school teachers Of the State this
morning permanent organization was
effected by the election OF the follow
ing officers: President. A. H. Berlin.
| principal OF the Wilmington High
school; Mrs Lucille Pratt OF Milford,
lVice-prcsident: and Professor w. A.
Wilkinson OF Delaware College, secre-
tary.
The most important feature OF the
conference OF the high school teachers
OF the State, which started last night
was 10 go over and discuss the new
scnool code. A feature OF the session
this morning was an address by Dean
Frank p. Graves. OF the University or
Pennsylvania on Present Day Ten
denotes in Education" which was or
unusual interest in the instructors at
tending the conference.
other subjects discussed at the ses-
sion this morning were as follows:
Provision for agricultural education
in High Schools" by L. C. Armstrong,
state Supervisor OF Agriculture; PRO
vision Tor Home Economics Education
in High Schools Miss Helen r.. Brown
OF the Dover High School; Profession
al Preparations OF High School Teach
ers." Professor w. A. Wilkinson OF
Delaware College.
The forming OF an organization at
this time Will be an important factor
IN carrying out the provisions OF the
new code, which in a few years is eX-
pected TO put Delaware over the top
in education, instead OF standing thirty
third.
At the opening session last night
held In Old College Hall. Dr. Samuel
G.. Mitchell. president OF the college,
extended cordial welcome to the vis-
iting teachers. Nearly one hundred
high school teachers from all parts
OF the state were present and were
deeply Interested in the discussions es-
pecially those in reference TO the new
school code.
George L. Medill who was recently
appointed by Governor Townsend a
member OF the New Castle County
school Commission under the new
code was also present and asked
number OF questions relative to the
code. Members Of the Newark Board
OF Educaiin were present. This Is one
OF The special incorporated district
boards that has not to date elected
10 come in under the provisions OF the
code and there Is considerable interest
in Newark as TO what action the board
will take in this respect.
Dr. Mitchell introduced DR.. G. l..
Scott. superintendent of the Whining
ton schools, as the presiding officer
DR.. Scott in a short address said the
passage OF the new code starts the
dawn. OF a new day in educational Del
aware"
DR.. Joseph II. Odell. director general
OF the Service Citizens OF Delaware,
was the next speaker, and he spoke on
the value OF a high school education
10 a boy. He pointed out the great
beneats that would be derived II the
new educational system would result
in boys remaining in school even one
year longer than they otherwise would.
A talk by state Commissioner or I'd
ucatiOn. Professor A. r. Spaid, VINO
discussed provisions OF the New Code
that airect High Schools" was OF spe-
-cial interest to the teachers. he briefly
traced the history OF the public schools
OF the state from 1876 TO the present
time. At the start he stated he schools
were suppored by marriage and tavern
licenses. The County Superintendents
he said. served without pay and kept
that I'D for one hundred years.
Or. Spaid stated that until April "a,
1919 when the Governor signed the
new school code Delaware had not an
established high school system. 10 was
an individual matter, he said, entirely.
Under the new law the state must sub
sidlze the high schools. He referred TO
The fact that until this time some
schools OF the state kept open only 90
davs I'm The year. but under this law
no school can close down each year
until it has been in session iSO days.
This alone is sure TO result IN great
benefits TO the children OF the state.
Every child in the state viii now nave
an opportunity for both a high school
and college education without having
10 pay one cent tuition from the start
10 the finish OF his education.
The speaker stated that a number OF
the special districts have already elect
cd TO come in under the new code and
il was hoped that all such districts
would take similar action. Last year,
he said. the high schools OF Delaware
outside Of Wilmington, graduated Dut
ti6. II Delaware College is to eventu-
allv secure an enrolment OF coo or 40
as IS the hope, more graduates VIII
have TO be turned out by the stale
schools and this the speaker though
will be done under the new law. The
code - he said. really establishes a |
high school system in the state ana
gives uniform State aid. II also stah-
dardizes the schools"
Dr. Spaid said the principals OF the
schools will be asked 10 assist in max
nc nm the courses under the new sys-
lem Under the classification Of me
nigh schools they must have under the
law the required number OF teachers or
state appropriaions will be held up.
.T-be code Vyas written with The idea OF
Justice 10 the children Of the State and
,ot for the benefit OF the taxpayers
or Snaid stated. "Under this code Del
,yyare win leave its present position OF
ard in the union as to education and
Dush ahead and stay ahead. Every h
hing undemocratic In the schools
,hould disappear under the new law.
Superintendent Schilling OF the Kent
,ouniy schools. discussed "PossiDil-
ties OF small high schools under bne
ode" lie said It was not time yet
% definitely plan just what can Dc
done in the second group Of high
chools but agriculture, industrial arts
md home economics can be taught.
Jnder the old system the speaker said
here was no incentive for the boy
,r girl in many localities where the
grades only run TO the eighth and
.ometimes not that high but under Jhe