Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-05-08
OTHER OBJECTS
TO BE SOUGHT.

OTHER OBJECTS
TO BE SOUGHT.
Increased appropriations for educa-
tional work and higher standards for the
teaching profession will be sought the
report OF the committee says.
For number OF years" the COM
mittee's statement says there has been
& growing tendency in number OF
states toward Capitalization or power and
authority IN the state department, our
own state among them.
This tendency has grown out of con-
ditions that seemed to need centraliza-
tion.
There seems now 70 be healthy re-
action setting IN.
The committee believes that in a de-
mocracy the more decentralized system
gives greater guaranty Of more ef-
hcient system Of schools"
The report continues to outline four
duties 20 be centered IN the state depart
merit, Including general administration Of
the state system, control IN all matters
requiring uniformity throughout the
state; general, not detailed supervision
Of matters affecting the whole state, on
which there Is not q coucensus Of judg-
ment, and efficient leadership.
The resolution pa ssed by the last gen
ment 10 the constitution for reOrganizs-
tion OF the school system should be
passed for submission 10 the next as
sembly with one change 60 make the
Office of state superintendent app0inuve
in the discretion OF the board and with
the amount Of compensation for that
officer left in the hands OF the board.
the report says
PRESENT BOARD
HELD UNWIELDY.
Tho present board OF education Is held
70 DO too large and unwieldy and A
board OF FIVE trained members is rec
commended.
Experts employed IN the state depart
ment should confer frequently with per.
sons IN the system IN order TO keep IN
close touch with the systems workings
and needs II Is asserted.
The committee opposes giving assist
ants in the department supervisory
powers on the ground that these be-
long 10 the units Of the system In logic
A statistician and research man and
additional clerical help for the depart
ment is recommended.
Greater appropriations and greater
freedom in the expenditure OF It's funds
is recommended as need Of the do
partment
The committee urges that the state
board be given charge OF special schools
and state Institutions not wholly edu-
cationaL
RURAL SCHOOL NEEDS
HELD MOST PRESSING.
Rural school needs are presented as
the most pressing problems In the school
situation.
1t is urged that rural schools be freed
from personal and party politics, that
children be given equal opportunity in
all counties and that adequate teacher
training be provided.
The county unit plan Of reorganization
for rural schools is favored
That would mean organization Of all
schools outside Incorporated towns as
units for taxation and administration.
Control Of the county schools would
be ceutered In n board OF Ave members
to be elected at a school election. and
to have, In general, the same duties and
powers as city school boards.
The county board would employ a SUI
perintendent at a minimum salary of
50 900 and would be Obligated to select a
man possessed OF specified educational
attainments and holding a permit from
the state board,
General supervisors for rural schools
on salaries OF 5000 or more, health offi-
GERS and truant officers are recommended.