County Pedagogues

lhe ftfth meeting of tbe County leachers' Association was held in Saline last Saturday. Actingon a suggestionof Conimissioner Lister the entire day was spent in discussing the Report of the Committee of ïwelve. This report is a condensation of data showinothe conditien of the rural schools throughout the country and making suggestions for the improvement of those schools. After Dr. Boone, of the State Normal College, had given a short history of the causes leading up to the appointing of the Committee of Twelve, Mr. D. A. Townsend took up the discussion of the first subdivisión of the report, "School Maintenance and School Expeuditure," stating that (1) rhe funds must be raised by some form of taxation. (2) Up to the middle of the present century the burden of taxation was entirely upon the towns. Novv part of the cost is in most states borne by the eounty or state, but as yet too mucli isthrown upon the country. (3) Distribution of funds according to school census is open to the serious objection that it does not carry the funds where most needed. Mr. Austin in the discussion which followed advised the establishment of the state as a unit. ïhat all taxes should be collected by the state and redistributed. Prof. DeWitt advocated the California system, that the funds should be distributed on the basis of the actual attendance and not on uumber of children of school age as at present. In the absence of Prof. Essery. of Manchester, Commissioner Lister took up the discussion of the second subdivisión of the Committee Report, ''School Supervisicn." His discussion touctied upon (1) numerous qualiticatiuns of state and county supervisión. (2) Their relations to the" teachers and pupils. (3) Tneir relations to school officers and their duties. (4) ïheir relations to the public at larg'e as creatiug and staaping public opinión in rural districts. The objects to be obtaiued from intelligent supervisión are (1) In regard to the school, it imites the teachers for a commoii purposes, and, by teachers' meetings and by the visitations of the supervisor, it breaks up the monotony and isolation of the country school. Under its influeuce better teachers flnd their way hto the schools, better methods of instruction prevail and the tone and spirit of the school are greatly improved. (2) In regard to the couiinunHy at large, supervisión is just beginning to do its legitimate work. Among the subjects requiring special attention at present are school libraries, the care and ornamentation of school buildings and grounds, school extensión, and in awakeuing public interest in rural education. In the afternoon the students of the Saline high school favored the teachers with two selections of music which rettected credit on themselves and their teacher, Miss Webb. The "Supply of Teachers" was taken up by Prof. Carrick, of Milan. He discussed at length (1) Facilities for preparation, as training schools and instutes. (2) Means for improvetnent of teachers already in the service, as teachers' association, reading circles, libraries and current literature. (3) On manner of electing and paying of teachers, time of engagement, curtificates and salaries paid. He advised the lengthening of the school year to nine or teti months in order that skilled teachers may be retained. Iligher wages must be paid to pent ceacners una niguer quaiihcations in applicants demanded by examining boards. A discussion was precipitated with reference to the causes of low salaries which Prof. Eloyt, of the Normal college, effectually answered by stating that thorough "preparation on the part of the teacher brings its own revvard. A competent teacher compels recognition and suitable compensation for his services. Prof. Hoyt then took up the last subdivisión of the report, "School Instruction and Discipline." It is impossible to give a synopsis of his talk, for the whole discourse was so thoroughly practical, so bristling with good points especially beneficial to every teacher. Prof. McFarlane, of the Normal College, gave a half hour's talk on 'Geography," which was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by all present. The teachers all voted the meeting a success and were especially grateful to the members of the Normal College faculty who are showing such exceptional interest in the welfare of the rural schools of VVashtenaw county. The meeting adjourned to meet at the Normal College. Friday, May 20, when the doors of the training school will be thrown open to the district and village school teachers and an opportunity giveu to observe the work of the grades in all departments of the institution.