The citizen., 1920-05-13
National Conference on Rural Education
MANY NOTED EDUCATORS ATTEND
President Frost Gave the Key Note
"The Greatest Equipment for Teacher Divine Call"

The Rural Education Confer
ence has passed into history. The
four days of information and in
spiraiion are at an end. The dele
gates have gone back TO their work
with new determination TO over
come the difficulties and meet the
needs. Bereans will go about their
tasks and the preparation for
their tasks with higher hopes and
greater confidence. Each came
with a desire TO learn and TO con-
tribute, If possible, little out of his
experience TO the success of the
conference. And these days have
been truly great days. This ex-
change of thoughts and ideas has
been profitable for all, and will be
fruitful Of untold good.
II will be impossible for us TO
give even the barest outline of all
the splendid speeches that were
made. We can only touch a
few and try to sum up some of the
many points which were brought
out.
Saturday afternoon was devoted
TO addresses of welcome and re-
sponses, and TO getting acquainted.
The Hon. A. o. Thomas. state super
lntendcnt of public instruction of
Maine presided at this session. In
his Introductory remarks he said
that the new definition of teaching
is helping the student 20 do better
the desirable things Of life which
he will do afterwhile."
To the great regret of all present
President Frost was unable TO be
present and give the address of well
come, but he sent his message and
II was read by DR.. Raymond, the
Vice President of the College. I'VE
publish it in full on page 81 In
the absence of State Supt. Colvin,
Mr.. Jas. NJ. Speed, Kentucky Editor
of the Southern Agriculturist, well
coined the visitors TO the State. Mr..
G. f. Hubbs, Assistant TO the State
Superintendent of West Virginia
and State Supt. p. +. McClennahan,
of Iowa, responded TO the welcome.
1t was universally agreed that
the problems of the rural schools
were many and very difficult of So
luton and in the greaIer number
OF cases solutions were yet want
ing. The conditions in places are
deplorable. But no one seemed dis
couraged. There was a general de-
termination TO keep at the task and
solve every question.
A large number of defects were
discussed, remedies suggested and
IN many cases stories told of their
solution in certain places.
The teacher was thoroly dis
cussed. A very large per cent of
the teachers thruout the country
were poorly equipped for their
work. The requirements for GER
tliicates were quite different in the
several states. Indiana seemed to
have the highest requirements. Most
of the states are moving toward the
requirement of a complete high
school course and at least one year
of normal training. One speaker
believed that more money might
be proiltably put into equipping
teachers and less into buildings.
The salaries of teachers were
found to be very low. This has
driven many out of the profession
and kept others who were capable
from entering. H. practically all
the states represented the salaries
are being raised by legislative en-
actment.
Some teachers have been ashamed
OF the profession and failed to see
that its importance gives it dignity.
Ana II often occurs that the teach
ers are Of two classes, the one of
old men and women who have not
Kept up with the profession, and
the other of young teachers who
are using it as a stepping-stone to
something else. Very few compar-
atively take il up as a life work.
There is also an alarmingly great
shortage of teachers. Many schools
have been closed during the past
year because no teachers could be
obtained for them. And the pros
pect for the coming year looks even
worse.
The pupil was considered from
every angle. His training and de-
velopment is the reason for the ex-
istence of the school. To secure
regular attendance and TO compel
all to attend school is a great prob
lem in many sections. His health
should be looked after. II was
shown that many were apparently |
dull and backward and when the |