The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-17
vt. SUPERINTENDElNTS
CONFERENCE CLEANINCS
Some of the Thoughts and Ideas Crys-
tailed at Meeting in Mont
pelier Dec. $40.

PSiiSi DSN' tO'
Nearly every superintendent in, the
state was present the full time
Everybody worked to make it the
greatest possible success.
The papers and discussions we're
most interesting and full of pertinent
practical and disable suggestions
All returned home with renewed en-.
thusasm and with fresh stock of mp
to.date ideas
Mr.. johnson CONVINCED MS that the
present educational system is the out
growth of long experience aud study,
is the best the state has ever had, and
has the elements Of stability, growth
and progress that must be conserved.
The supply of trained teachers for
elementary and particularly rural
schools is one Of our most important
problems, and calls for vigorous cam
paigning to insure large enlistment
next fall. Work hard make personal
appeals to promising young women.
Set your quota at enc fifth your pres
ent number oil teachers
The rural school is our greatest
problem, and the one most full Of oppor-
ttnities 1t should be developed TO add
to the attractiyeness of country life
Renovate, beautify the buildings, en-
rich the program, Make them commu
nifty centers. Provide extension work
and courses for adults Help through
the school to draw back the people that
have been drawn into the cities and
large towns.
The improvement of the rank and
educational work of Vermont calls for
efforts 10 increase enrolment and al
tendance, to induce more young people
to continue in and through the high
school, to secure more adequate fnan
cial support and better salaries, to i'm
prove means and service of transporta-
tion.
Hardness and absence can bd' reduced
by making the beninning and the end
of each school day as attractive and
delightful as possible.
Part OF our work is to secure coop
GRAFTON and assistance TO all agencies
concerned with educational work chill
dren, teachers, parents, the press, the
public, civic organiza tons, the legisla
ture etc.
Professional improvement Of super
and teachers in the service
is the best way to improve manage
ment and instruction. Guidance, CON
structive criticism, exchange of ideas,
and cultural reading and
study, conferences and summer courses
are the chief means.
Ability to express ones thoughts
clearly and forcefully. the mastery of
correct and pleasing expression and ap
probation and love of good literature
are the principal aims in English in
struction
Socialized work and project meth
DDS are highly desirable but they need
skillful direction
More emphasis in history must be
placed on modern times, current events
and world relations.
The junior senior high schools are
rendering splendid service in the /
state and are peculiarly adapted to
Vermont conditions.
Through them, personal adjustment
Of work TO all pupils is promoted adap
tation To conditions and community
needs II easy. specially trained teach /
FRS are possible, traditions do not !
hamper, more boys and girls than ever /
before are kept longer in school
Health work calls for improvement /
If buildings and surroundings, syste- I
matte hygienc instruction and prac-
ice, constructive work effective sys-
EN- of examination reports and follow /,
up work.
Every town should have and follow a
'arefully kept budget of income and ex
,enses. Bookkeeping should be simple,
adequate and accurate.
Every district superintendent should
ave a conveniently located office, prop
r filing, copying and recording equip
nent, and should keep up-to-date and
dcquate records of his school system.
Every superintendent should make
elf survey Of district, determine things
hat need attention and Formulate a
efinite hist OF improvements and *;
ainment for which he will work
A code of ethics should be eStab.
shed for the state Specifications de-
cribing standard schools of various
ypes should be drawn up end distrib
ted
The educational load We carry can be
ghtened by elimination Of obsolete
Material and subject matter of inferior
alue
County and state spelling contests
ave been Of great value and should be
Lantern slides and views should be
RELY used for visual instruction