The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-02-13
REORGANIZATION OF
SCHOOLS IN STATE
Complete Plan Outlined By Faculty
of State University.-Free Tuition
to Tax Supported Institutions.
News and Courier.

News and Courier.
Columbia, Feb. S.-A complete
plan for the reorganization OF the
educational system CT the state is con-
tanned in a list of over twenty recon-
mendations, proposed b. the faculty
of the University of South Carolina
for consideration by the educators
of the state and early Incorporation
in the laws of the state. The Univer-
sity professors have devoted no little
time to the study of South Carolina S
needs and shortcomings in education
al lines, the school program now sug-
gested embodying what they see as
the most urgent changes to be con-
sidered
Among the suggestions included IN
the proposed reorganization plan are:
Adequate salaries for teachers, a new
system of assessment and apportion-
ment of taxes, revision of the law
creating the state board of education,
amendment of the compulsory attend
ance law and free tuition to all citi-
zens of the state attending tax sup
ported schools. The list of sugges-
tons follows in full:
l. The prime educational need of
the state is a staple and competent
profession of teaching, which can be
made possible only by the provision
of adequate salaries.
2. There should be made this year
a survey of the educational system
of the state, including all institutions
and agencies under the control of the
state and such private institutions as
do not object to such inclusion.
3. A constitutional convention
should be called to construct new
system for the assessment and appor-
tionment Of taxes.
Personnel of Board.
4. The State board of education
should consist of the Governor, as
chairman ex-officio, one representa-
tive elected by the presidents of the
state institutions of higher learning,
one by the council Of the State
Teachers association, one by the
Association of County superintend-
ents and four elected by the General
Assembly from the state at large.
The representative members should
be elected annually. The term OF Of
flee of the members elected by the
General Assembly should be four
wears, the initial term being so ar
ranged that one vacancy shall occur
each year.
5. The State Superintendent Of
Education should be elected by the
State board of education as its eXecu-
tive officer and secretary. Profession
al qualifications for the Office should
be defined. A competent adminlstra-
tive and supervisory staff should be
elected by the state board on the
nomination of the state superintend-
ent.
6. A state board Of examiners
should be appointed by the state
board of education for the eXamina-
ton and certifcation of teachers.
This board should develop later into
a State board of standardization,
which, like the New York board of
regents, will standardize not only the
teachers, but also the results of their
work.
7. The county board of education
should be elected by the qualified
voters. The initial terms of office
should be so arranged that not more
than two vacancies shall occur annu-
ally in any one year.
8. The county superintendent of
education should be professional eX-
pert, sought out and selected by the
county board Of education to act as
its executive officer. There should be
a competent supervisory staff selected
by the board of education on the NOM
ination Of the superintendent.
8. The district boards of trustees
sho..ld consist Of not more than three
members elected by the qualified
voters. The initial terms of office
should be so arranged that not more
than one vacancy shall occur normal
~ in any one year.
10. The compulsory attendance
law should be so amended that the
term of compulsory attendance IN any
district should coincide with the regu-
lar school term in that district.
The state should make special pro
vision for those children who. by rea-
son of physical or mental deficiency
are exempted from the operation OF
the compulsory law.
f., f;oo Of Teachers