The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-02-22
Thursday. February %. 1923.
ATTACK ON STATE EDUCATION
AL SYSTEM.

Just when the beneficial results Of
the modern educational system OF
Idaho are most apparent when the
schools of the state have reached the
highest degree of efficiency. and the
success of the system has been recog-
nized by the adoption of similar sys-
TENS in other states comes the usual
attempt in the Legislature to undo the
good work it has accomplished and
disrupt and bring confusion to our
educational institutions. II is claim
ed by the opponents of the present
system that there is a duplication in
the work of the state superintendent
and the commissioner of education.
and that therefore the Office of COM
missioner of education should be
abolished As a matter of fact, there
is no duplication and the duties of
both are absolutely essential to the
success Of the system. The board of
education as now constituted consists
Of five members who serve five years,
the term of one expiring each year.
The superintendent OF public instruc-
ton is ex-oHcio member. making six
members of the board. The work of
the board of education is divided into |
six divisions namely: The public |
schools, the university, the Lewiston /
normal the Albion normal, the techni-
cal institute, the industrial training
school, the school for the deaf and
blind, and the department of vocation
al training. The law prescribes that
the superintendent of schools shall
have supervision of the public schools,
visit the county schools. apportion
school funds and call county superin-
tendents in conference Under the
present system the state superintend-
ent is the head of the division of pub
lie schools performing the duties pre-
scribed by law and without conflict
with the duties of the commissioner
of education.
Now as to the duties and qualihca-
tions of the commissioner He repre-
SCENTS the board of education in its re-
lations to the eight divisions just
enumerated If his entire time We're
given to one as in the case of the -
he would cease to :,
as the representative of the 81
board in connection with the other di- .,
Compare the qualifications
required of the commissioner with
those required of the state superin- u,
tendent In the first place he must
be a man of high education and wide
experience in educational affairs He 49,
must have thorough technical knowl-
edge regarding the work of universi- 4,
lies, both from an educational stand ~,
point and financially. and this knowl- 81
Edge must embrace educational insti- q.
utions throughout the United States va
is well as in Idaho. Similarly he must 49,
pc informed on the work of the nor G.
nal schools, technical schools in pre- ~
,aring budgets and formulating plans d.
or administration. Further. he must -.
ave knowledge of the public 40;
chools both city and rural, and be 90
bic to coordinate their work with that sr,
f the higher institutions Altogether d,
e must be the adviser of the board of 81.
ducation in its relation TO the educa- 90,
.onal system of the state H.,
This system was made operative 10y ,.,.
ct of the Legislature in 1913, and the 49,.
ish efficiency OF the schools OF Idaho, Oh,
nd the rapid growth Of the university.
ormal and technical school stand as nj,
idisputable evidence OF its merits
nd practical success. To pass the ~,
ending bin would be most serious A..
low to the schools Of the state