Evening journal., 1921-02-23

Of Education have "just growed up"
Rev OF them can look back to any
definite birth as State Departments
Of Education. Very few, II any, ex
tept-those that have been re-created
by recent acts OF legislatures or con-
stitutionai amendments have been
thoughtfully created and organized
In fun consciousness OF the functions
they should perform. From small
and inadequate beginnings they have
grown by accretion rather than by
development from any central idea
Of functions TO be performed. as the
small independent schools OF separ
ate and individual communities have
roalesced TO form county and State
systems
Probably a majority Of them that
had their origin I'm a State school
officer under the title OF Fuperinten-
dent OF public instruction, superin-
tcndcnt OF schools OF other similar
little, who took over work mostly OF
> clerical nature previously perform
ed by the State auditor or treasurer
and in an ex-oflcio board OF educa-
ton made up OF political officers
elected or appointed FOR other and
quite different functions.
The time and energies OF these
officers were absorbed by the dutler
properly belonging 20 the officers TO
which they were appointed or elected
and which they very naturally con
Tidcred more important than tho in
sidental or accidental duties pertain
Ing 70 the office which they held only
because they had been selected 20 MI
other offices considered OF sufficient
importance 70 have existence OF their
own and TO be filled by persons sup
posed to be able TO perform intelh-
gently and acceptably the duties be-
longing to them.
State school officers, taking over
the duties chiefly clerical which had
been performed by auditors, trcosur-
ers and other State officers Ia frag-
monts OF their time and probably
without additional pay, We're paid
little. In most Of the states the mis-
take was made OF supposing that this
oiiice could be made "A political Of
fee subject directly or indirectly TO
the vicissitudes OF partisan govern
mcnt, as n. forsooth. the political
parties as such ever advocated diff
the people would tolerate partisan
Influence In their schools. As po-
lfical office, elective or appointive, Il
dii not formerly, and IN some states
does not still. rank with other poli-
teal offices in pay, in prestige. or as
stepping-stone TO political prefer
nlent considered OF higher grade
and more desirable.
dominating conventions have all
too often left this office 20 the last
nnd then chosen a candidate for Il
, to placate some partisan or sectarian
elton or give recognition to some
neglected section Of the state. Gov
crnors. IN appointing chief school Of
fcers, have fequently boen guided by
similar motives or. worse still, have
made this appointment through per
sonal favoritism or in recognition OF
partisan obligation.
In the meantime. education has
come 10 be the chief business Of ths
states. For its support. the State and
local units OF county, township, dis
trict and municipality spend mor'
money annually than for any othei
one thing of public concern. tn
public school system, including ele
mentary schools. high schools, col
icgcs. universities. normal schools
and other professional and technica
schools and agencies for extension
education. has come to be our great
est cooperative enterprise. requiring
for its management and control pro
forsional and administrative ability
az tho very highest character. This
an thoughtful persons informed OF
the subject are beginning TO realize
iut. as Is plainly shown by statistic
of the organization OF state depart
mcnts Of education, the practices o
tho day Of small things in education
stin exist in many states to an ex
tent dangerous. II not fatal. TO tn
best interest OF education.
Chief school officers in most OF IN
states arc still paid salaries pitifuli
small as compared with what are, o
should be. recognized as the dutie
of their office They are elected Ol
partisan political tickets or. withou
fuU regard 10 their professional o
administrative ability. are appointe
ID. rovcrnors so elected. Most Stat
boards ~ education are wholly o
partly made up OF persons elected o
anpointcd for the performance o
n,hcr and different duties in office
supposed 10 be worthy OF being file
ly persons elected or appointed di
rcctly for the purpose. other board
are indefinitely constituted.
The Office Of the State superin
frndent in almost all OF the states
so poorly stated that IT Is who'll
unable TO perform effectively most q
ls proper function and TO give to tn
school system OF the State the ad
ministrativc and professional serN
ice IL should have.
Within the last decade, much i'm
provcment in these conditions Ia
been made in some states, and in
worry few states conditions are ar
preaching the ideal. There Is, b'
lieve. no other task Of statesmanshi
40 important and so nearly cOmmo
fo an the states as this OF recon
siructing. or remaking the State dc
partment OF education so that
may. wholly separate from and ind'
pendent of partisan politics, be ad
cauate to the fun performance OF II
legitimate functions and free 10 ad
Just and roadjust itself TO the cor
s,antly changing requirements OF ed