Arizona republican., 1921-03-13

the state superintendent to qualify as an educator instead of politician
 House bill provides for the in creased usefulness of the present state board of education, by putting under it the whole question of certification of teachers and direction of institutes
 The state board of examiners goes out of existence in June, not until af-
 ter the June examinations. however. The special value of this bill is that it permits progressively higher standards for teachers, which means higher standards of schools.
 Putting institutes under state di- rection instead of county will give an opportunity to reach the communities as well as the teachers, and incidentally save money for both teachers and tax payers" Miss Toles declared
 Arizona is admitted to have an un- usually good plan of financial support for it's schools, and senate bill S3 un- doubtedly will strengthen that opinion among students of school administra- tion. From now on the state school fund, instead of being fixed sum. will be based on average daily attendance. In addition. for the first time it ex- tends aid to high schoo.s as well as grades, and sets aside a definite sum [ Of $500 for every ofe-roonI school and 5000 for every two-room school These last two features are admiral ble, and of
 unusual interest to the rural schools. 1 In the past, high schools have been a burden borne by the district alone, and in consequence rural communities have often been unable to support them. NOW, With a minimum of $500 for every one-roorn school, and the same 1 state and county aid for high school
 pupils as for grade pupils, the first
 long step has been taken toward the solution of our rural school problem.
 It is unfortunate that misinforma- ton and misunderstanding prevented 1 the legislatures completing the good work by passing the county unit bill in its unamended form, and thereby providing for more effective adminis-
 tration of the funds it has made avail
 able. The clause making the bill op-
 tional with the counties, inserted by the enemies of the measure, does no more
 am convinced, than to delay the day
 when the rural schools will be given the advantages in business and pro- fessional administration that are en- | joyed by our city schools The history of county unit legislation in this state
 parallels that of other states. Because 1t Is a progressive measure, it arouses
 both discussion and prejudice; but I
 have. sufficient faith in the plan ad- vocated as it is by the state teachers
 association and the United States pu- 1 reau of education, and sufficient faith | in the proven interest of the people In
 their schools, to feel assured of it's uf-
 innate and complete adoption These
 four measures really comprised new
 school code which recognized state and county administration and provided l increased and improved financial SUD- port. Several other measures of less vital importance were passed, remedy 1 ing certain defects or supplying cer-
 tain needs.
 House bill 2S, which has an emer-
 gency clause and has already been
 signed by the governor, brings the cleo
 tion of school trustees for both high
 and common schools in October instead of March, The object of this is to 1 bring the new trustees into office after
 the new term has begun; teachers em-
 ployed and school affairs in working 1 order. This gives him time to ac- l quaint himself with conditions before \ he is called upon to decide important
 questions of policy for a new school
 year,
 Miss Toles yesterday advised every
 county school superintendent in the
 state the bill had been signed, wiring
 them as follows:
 "The governor has signed the bill changing the time of the election of trustees of high and common schools 10 OctODef- IL carries an emergency clause cancelling the March election Present trustees hold office until Janu- ary 1, 1922"
 Our compulsory school law was ex- cellent up to the point of enforcement declared Miss Toles. sHouse bill 154 remedies this. The county superinten- | dent can now appoint an attendance | officer for a group of rural schools and violations of the law can be triet l in, Fl a bs ] justice court, thus removing both at l tendance officer and prosecutor iron ! strictly local influence. An admirabl, | feature requires the county to provid,