USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > Education in Indiana. An outline of the growth of the common school system, together with statements relating to the condition of secondary and higher education in the state and a brief history of the educational exhibit. Prepared for the Louisiana purchase exposition, held at Saint Louis, May 1 to November 30, 1904 > Part 15
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During the year 1889 a controversy arose over the distribution of the public school revenues. The county superintendents and others representing the interests of the county schools held that
149
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
the method of distributing the state's school revenues in propor- tion to the enumeration of children of school age discriminated against the country, because the enumeration in cities was not aceurately taken. They charged that in some cities the lists were deliberately padded by the enumerators to increase their pay for taking the enumeration. The question assumed such proportions that it became evident that wisdom must be used to prevent an injury to the school interests of the state.
Prompted by a desire to aid in the solution of the problem, at the meeting of the state teachers' association in 1889, a few of the city superintendents met together on December 26th to con- sult, and agreed to organize an association of city and town super- intendents corresponding to the county superintendents' associa- tion. Superintendent J. N. Study, of Richmond, presented a plan of organization, which, with sundry modifications, was adopted.
The following officers were then elected: President, L. H. Jones, Indianapolis ; vice-president, R. I. Hamilton, Huntington ; secretary, R. A. Ogg, Greencastle; treasurer, J. T. Merrill, La- fayette ; executive committee, J. N. Study, chairman, Richmond : E. HI. Butler, Rushville ; W. H. Wiley, Terre Haute; P. P. Stultz, Jeffersonville ; W. R. Snyder, Muncie ; Sheridan Cox, Kokomo.
A second session was held at which a number of other superin- tendents were present. Work was assigned to various commit- tees, which were to investigate and report at the next meeting. Some of these questions were: Is the school enumeration less honestly taken in the city than in the country ? Is there any reason in the nature of things why the ratio of children of school age to the census should differ in the city and country ? Are there any reasons why city schools should naturally show a smaller enrollment upon enumeration than the country schools ? Relative cost per capita per day in city and country ?
On November 20, 1890, the second meeting was held and the reports on the various questions were heard and discussed. It was felt as a result of the investigation that the system of distri- bution of revenues was not unjust to any interest of either country or city, if honestly administered, and it was agreed that the asso- ciation should labor to secure such amendments to the law as would insure equity.
150
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
The question at issue between country and city was given formal consideration at the following meeting of the state teachers' asso- ciation by a discussion of its merits on the one side by the state superintendent and two county superintendents, and on the other by three city superintendents. The result was a law requiring a rigid system of enumeration, and what threatened to divide the educational forces of the state, resulted in bringing them into greater unity and better understanding.
This controversy having been happily settled, the association began its legitimate work of discussing topies of general interest to the city and town schools. At the meeting on November 12, 1891, "Methods of Promotion," "The Uniformity of Commis- sioned High Schools," "The Superintendent's Term of Office," etc., were discussed. The records show that for two years the leading questions considered by the association related to exami- nations, promotions and the uniform text-book law. In 1893 a departure was made which has prevailed ever since, viz., that of appointing committees to make certain investigations and do certain work, and report to the following meeting.
Three of these reports were presented and discussed in 1894, viz., "Systems of Promotion," by R. A. Ogg; "School Examina- tions," by Edward Ayres ; "Hindrances to the Ilighest Efficiency of Town and City Schools," by J. W. Carr.
The great "Report of the Committee of Ten," from the national educational association had called out a great interest in the ques- tion of what should constitute the school curriculum, and on mo- tion of Mr. Avres, the president, D. W. Thomas, of Elkhart, appointed a committee to prepare "a report on a course of study for the public schools, said report to indicate the principles which should underlie such a course of study, and to contain an outline of the work of the public schools as determined by said principles." The committee was made to consist of R. A. Ogg, chairman ; W. R. Snyder, W. II. Sims, W. C. Behman, W. P. Burris. The time of the meeting in 1895 was largely occupied by the discus- sion of this report. The course as proposed by the committee was unanimously approved for trial for one year and the com- mittee asked to report at the next meeting such modifications as the experience of the superintendents might suggest. At the meet- ing in 1896 the committee reported no changes called for, and
151
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
after discussion the course was adopted without dissent. Super- intendent Woody then moved that a committee of forty, eight for each of the five lines of study, grammar, arithmetic, geography, reading and history, be appointed to amplify the work planned by the original committee. These various committees reported in 1897, and after discussion the reports were referred to the chair- men of the various committees with Superintendent W. D. Weaver, president of the association, as chairman, to unify and print the course as thus developed.
At the November meeting of 1898 this final report was adopted. This discussion of course of study running through four years has added largely to the efficiency of superintendents, the discus- sion bringing out the fundamental principles of education. Coup- led with this was a fine address at the meeting in 1897 on "The Principles That Underlie the Formation of a Course of Study, and Which Constitute the Canons of Criticism," by Lewis H. Jones, of Cleveland, O., formerly superintendent of Indianapolis schools, and the first president of the association.
At the meeting in 1899 the matter of greatest interest was a report on the uniform course of study for high schools, with Supt. W. A. Millis as chairman. An excellent report was pre- sented and a full discussion was had. The result will be to further unify the work in our high schools, though it seems unlikely that as large a unity will prevail as in the lower grades because of the more diverse conditions under which the high schools work. The awakened interest in the subject of art in the schools was given impetus by two excellent addresses from Dr. W. L. Bryan, of the state university, and Prof. J. L. Lowes, of Hanover col- lege.
The meeting of 1900 was characterized by three reports, one on "The School in Relation to Institutional Life," by W. H. Glascock, Bloomington, Edward Avres, Lafayette, and M. W. Harrison, Wabash ; one on "The School as Related to Art," by W. R. Snyder, Muncie, and Mary E. Nicholson, Indianapolis; and one on "Spelling Book," by W. F. L. Sanders, Connersville. The first of these was a printed report. All elicited much interest and discussion. The meetings of 1899 and 1900 were character- ized by a departure in the way of a dinner on Friday evening, at which time a welcome was extended to all new superintendents,
.
152
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
and they were called upon to respond, that the association might become acquainted with them. In 1900 this occasion was made very enjoyable by a fine address on "Shylock," by Judge W. D. Robinson of the appellate court. While it is a superintendents' association, the friends of the colleges and normal schools are invited, and a number of them attend and participate in the discussions.
At the meeting in November, 1901, the matter of chief interest was a printed report on "Course in Nature Study for Common Schools." This report was presented by Supt. H. B. Wilson of Salem and discussed by Prof. Sherman Davis of Indiana uni- versity, who had aided the committee in the preparation of the · report. Much difference of opinion was expressed by the mem- bers of the association regarding the kind of nature study to be done and the method to be employed. A departure which marked the beginning of a modified order of things was made in having an address on "School Boards and Superintendents," by William George Bruce, editor of the American School Board Journal. The significance of this may be seen in the following programs which provide for certain joint sessions of this association and that of school boards, the organization of which followed the address of Mr. Bruce.
Another significant discussion was that which followed a report by Supt. I. V. Busby of Alexandria upon "Defects of State Text Books." In view of the fact that the state board was providing for a revision of some of the adopted texts, the discussion was of very great interest.
At the meeting in November, 1902, a discussion on "The Best Method of Selecting Teachers and of Determining their Tenure of Office" was led by Supt. Robert L. Hughes of Whiting. "Needed School Legislation" was discussed by Supt. R. I. Ham- ilton of Huntington. A printed report on "Additional Normal School Facilities-Necessity and Feasibility" was made by Supt. J. W. Carr of Anderson, C. W. McDaniel of Madison and R. A. Ogg of Kokomo. The report was fully discussed and indorsed by the association. At the joint meeting of superintendents and school boards, W. H. Anderson of Wabash led the discussion on "School Janitors," and Hon. Theodore Shockney of Union City on "Relation of the Superintendent to the School Board."
153
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
The meeting of 1903 was characterized by a printed report on "School Heating and Ventilating," prepared by a joint com- mittee of superintendents and school board members with Supt. J. A. Wood of Laporte as chairman. Under this topic were special discussions led by Dr. J. N. Hurty of Indianapolis, W. H. An- derson, Wabash, B. F. Moore, Marion, A. M. Sweeney, Indian- apolis. The discussion of "A Uniform Card to Record Work of Iligh School Pupils Desiring to Enter Other High Schools or Colleges," was presented by J. Z. A. McCaughan, principal of Kokomo high school. and after discussion was referred to a special committee to perfect and report a year later. "Defects of City Superintendents from the Point of View of Teachers" was dis- cussed by Supt. E. L. Hendricks of Delphi. State Superintendent F. A. Cotton discussed "The Ideal Superintendent Characterized." Two round tables were held at which brief discussions of various topics were had. "Do Indiana Schools Compare Favorably with the Schools of Other States" was discussed by Supt. C. N. Ken- dall of Indianapolis and Supt. F. W. Cooley of Evansville, both of whom have of late years come into Indiana from other states. They discussed both the features of superiority of the Indiana system and the points of weakness. A printed report on "Needed Eliminations and Additions to the Course of Study for Indiana Schools" showed that history repeats itself and that the important question of the course of study still appeals to Indiana superin- tendents. The committee which made this report consisted of Supt. C. A. Prosser, New Albany, Supt. W. A. Millis, Craw- fordsville, and Supt. T. A. Mott, Richmond.
It is safe to say that the association of city and town superin- tendents is the most distinctively pedagogical organization of the state, and since its organization has done more than any other to mould the educational sentiment of the state. Its work is rather that of a round table, papers seldom being read, and dis- cussions being as informal as possible. It is not a meeting for pyrotechnics, but for discussion by all who choose to participate. It has grown from a small company to an annual gathering of over one hundred from all parts of the state.
154
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
5. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS' STATE ASSO- CIATION.
4. HISTORICAL SKETCH.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Milton B. Hopkins called the first state meeting of county superintendents. The convention assembled in the high school hall at Indianapolis, July 22, 1873. From that time the association has met annually, and has been of incalculable service to the state. In the early meetings many questions arose as to the duties of the super- intendents under the new laws. Following the adjustment of these questions the superintendents addressed themselves to the educational questions of the day. Such questions as the following claimed the attention of the first superintendents :
1. The examination of teachers.
2. Visiting schools.
3. Township and county institute work.
4. Duties of the county board of education. etc.
A few years later they began the study of such subjects as-
1. Course of study for the rural schools.
2. Classification and gradation.
3. The graduation of pupils from the common branches.
4. Uniform outline of township institute work, etc.
They prepared and had printed a course of study for the rural schools and outlines of township institute work. The preparation of these documents was placed in the state department of public instruction, December, 1894.
For several years the association has been preparing the ques- tions for the examination of pupils in the grades and high schools of the townships and small towns.
Following is a program of the last meeting of the superin- tendents :
b. PROGRAM.
To the County Superintendents of Indiana:
You are hereby called to meet in convention on June 30 and July 1. 1903. For which attendance you are allowed the regular per diem as pro- vided by law.
Yours sincerely,
F. A. COTTON, State Supt.
155
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Officers: Supt. E. E. Robey, president; Supt. E. C. Crider, secretary; Supt. Clande Rankin, treasurer. Meetings to be held in the supreme court room. Headquarters at Grand hotel; rates, $2.00 per day.
Tuesday, 10:30 a. m.
Devotional exercises.
Address-"The County Institute." Dr. Wm. L. Bryan, president state uni- versity.
Discussion-Dr. W. T. Stott, president Franklin college; Francis M. Stalker, associate professor of psychology and methods, state normal school.
Tuesday, 2:00 p. m.
Reading Circle Work-A. L. Gary.
"The Ex-County Superintendent." Ex-Supt. Elmer C. Jerman, Decatur county.
"The New County Superintendent." Supt. J. W. Dinn. Starke county. Address-F. A. Cotton, state superintendent.
Wednesday, 9:00 a. m.
"Indiana's Educational Exhibit at the World's Fair," Senator Fremont Goodwine, chairman educational committee, world's fair committee.
"The Superintendent's Work with Inexperienced Teachers," Supt. C. F. Grosjean, Vigo county.
Visit to T. B. Laycock's factory.
Wednesday. 2:00 p. m.
Symposium-
"The County Superintendent as a Supervisory Officer" (10 minutes). Supt. E. C. Crider. Tippecanoe connty.
"The County Superintendent in Relation to Grading Manuscripts" (10 minutes). Supt. Samuel L. Scott. Clark county.
"The County Superintendent in Relation to County Institutes" (10 minutes), Louis II. Hamilton, Jasper county.
"The County Superintendent in Relation to Township Institutes" (10 minutes), Supt. William Clem, St. Joseph county.
"The County Superintendent in Relation to the People" (10 minutes), Supt. W. O. Baker, Morgan county.
"The County Superintendent in Relation to the Common School Gradn- ate" (10 minutes), Supt. Irvin Brandyberry, Adams county.
"General Discussion of Special Points in Symposium." F. A. Cotton, state superintendent.
Miscellaneous Business.
Adjournment.
6. COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS.
Notwithstanding the fact that the attendance in the state asso- ciation grew rapidly, from year to year, and enrolled teachers from all grades of school work, there were a great many prominent edu-
156
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
cators who believed that there was yet a larger and still more im- portant field for association work in Indiana. In response to this general feeling of the need for an annual meeting that would reach all the teachers in the state, the county teachers' associations were organized in the several counties. These associations are the most efficient agencies in promoting the interests of the rural and vil- lage schools. Occurring as they do after the schools have been in session, at a time when the teachers really feel the need of inspira- tion and helpful suggestions, the county associations exert a greater influence in the improvement of teachers than the county insti- tutes. The meetings are conducted under efficient supervision, with instructors capable of increasing the range of thought among teachers. In many of our counties the annual associations are the most helpful meetings in our system.
The first associations were instructed largely by home talent, but in recent years the best men in the faculties of our colleges and normal schools have been drafted into the work. As a result of this change, the professional spirit is growing. Teachers are studying educational problems as they never have before. If nothing more should come from these meetings than the good from merely get- ting away from home for a day or two and making new acquaint- ances, the associations are worth much to the profession. But there is more than the social element and the rest.
B. INSTITUTES.
1. COUNTY INSTITUTES.
4. STATEMENT.
The county institute has had an interesting development in Indiana and is at present in a transition stage. Educators in the state are working at the problem of improving the work, and it is hoped that something may be done to make the institute at once more professional and more practical. At present the institute is held in each county annually for one week. Instructors are em- ployed and the work takes wide range in topics discussed. The work is inspirational, cultural, professional and practical.
157
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
b. THE LAW.
In order to the encouragement of teachers' institutes, the county anditors of the several counties of this state shall, whenever the county superintendent of such county shall file with said auditor his official statement, showing that there has been held, for five days, a teachers' institute in said county, with an average attend- ance of twenty-five teachers, or of persons preparing to become such, draw his warrant on the county treasurer, in favor of said county superintendent, for thirty-five dollars; and in case there should be an average attendance of forty teachers, or persons pre- paring to become such, then the said county auditor shall draw his warrant on the treasurer for fifty dollars; and in case there should be an average attendance of seventy-five teachers, or per- sons preparing to become such, then the county auditor shall draw his warrant on the treasurer for one hundred dollars for the pur- pose of defraying the expenses of said institute: Provided, how- ever, That but one of said payments be made in the same year. All laws and parts of laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
1. Superintendent's Duty and Pay .- Such an institute as is contem- plated by the law is not a voluntary association, but a teachers' meeting. at the head of which is the county superintendent. He, therefore, has no right to surrender it into the hands of an incompetent director, nor to permit a course of procedure by any one, or by the institute itself, by which time shall be wasted or unsatisfactory work done. The teachers are there to be instructed, and the superintendent must necessarily take the responsibility of the institute upon himself. The money which the auditor is authorized to pay is to defray the expenses of the institute exclusive of the per diem of the superintendent, whose compensation must be obtained in the usual way. He is also entitled to his per diem for reasonable services in making preparations for the institute.
2. Pay of Teachers .- Teachers are allowed their regular per diem when attending both county and township institutes.
Schools Closed .- When any such institute is in session, the com- mon schools of the county in which said institute shall be held shall be closed. (R. S. 1881, $4522; R. S. 1894, $6011; R. S. 1897, §6231.)
Sessions .- The several county superintendents are hereby re- quired, as a part of their duty, to hold, or cause to be held, such teachers' institutes, at least once in each year in their respective connties. (R. S. 1881, §4523; R. S. 1894, §6012; R. S. 1897, §6233.)
158
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
The county superintendents have entire charge of the institutes. They fix the time of holding the meetings, employ instructors, etc., the only statutory requirement being that one institute shall be held annually. There is an appropriation of $100 in each county for the support of such institute, when the average daily attend- ance is seventy-five or more. Since no county has an attendance below that number, the annual appropriation by the state is $8,462.40. The remainder of the cost is borne by the teachers.
(. STATISTICAL SUMMARY.
Number males enrolled in state (three counties omitted on ac- count of no report). 7,621
Number of females enrolled in state (three counties omitted on account of no report) 8,899
Total number enrolled in state (one county omitted on account of no report) 17,025
Average attendance in state (two counties omitted on account of no report) 15,597.6
Average attendance in county 173.3
Length of session in days for entire state (one county omitted on account of no report). 457
Average length of session in days for each county. 5
Amount of money drawn from county treasury for support of
county institute (one county omitted on account of no report) $8,462 40 Average amount of money drawn per county. 93 00
Total cost of county institutes for entire state (one county omit- ted on account of no report). 21,459 53
Average cost of county institute per county. 235 92
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
159
STATISTICS ON COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTES, HELD IN 1903.
COUNTIES.
| Number.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Average attendance.
Length of session
Amount of money
County Treasury
for support of In-
Total cost of Institute.
1
Adams
108
77
185
178
5
$100 00
$280 00
9
Allen (No report) .
3
Bartholomew
107
109
216
192
5
100 00
216 50
1
Benton ..
41
82
123
118
5
100 00
222 10
5
Blackford
17
50
97
96
5
100 00
254 25
6
Boone.
103
102
205
197
5
100 00
229 20
7
Brown
70
10
110
95
5
100 00
120 00
8
Carroll
97
96
193
190
5
100 00
312 00
9
Cass
100
150
250
225
5
100 00
250 00
10
Clark
100
135
235
230
5
100 00
300 00
11
C'lay
109
111
220
207
5
100 00
155 75
12
Clinton
130
104
234
190
5
100 00
261 59
13
Crawford
90
55
145
132.8
5
100 00
201 00
14
Daviess
154
144
298
210
5
100 00
346 85
15
Dearborn
72
83
155
147
5
100 00
142 20
10
Decatur
58
97
155
151
5
100 00
182 40
17
Dekalb
90
84
174
155
5
50 00
288 00
18
Delaware
120
145
265
250
5
100 00
350 53
19
Dubois
82
79
161
250
5
100 00
194 15
20
Elkhart
212
324
536
463
5
100 00
268 70
21
Fayette
14
46
90
85
5
100 00
173 75
22
Floyd
78
98
176
150.6
5
100 00
205 25
23
Fountain
72
70
142
131
5
50 00
125 00
24
Franklin
50
64
114
112
5
100 00
209 09
25
Fulton
70
65
135
130
5
100 00
275 00
26
Gibson
104
92
196
175
5
100 00
235 00
27
Grant
*
*
360
240
5
100 00
350 00
28
Greene
90
110
200
200
5
100 00
235 00
29
Hamilton
110
104
214
204
5
100 00
250 00
30
Hancock
105
82
187
175
5
100 00
227 97
31
Harrison.
128
92
220
200
5
100 00
240 00
32
Hendricks
82
121
203
186
5
100 00
238 00
33
Henry
76
91
167
162
5
100 00
212 60
34
Howard.
90
89
179
168.2
5
100 00
280 00
35
Huntington
120
101
221
215
5
100 00
275 00
36
Jackson
90
112
202
191.6
6
100 00
233 23
37
Jasper
43
113
156
151
5
100 00
256 00
38
Jay.
105
77
182
200
5
100 00
280 00
39
Jefferson
89
177
266
180
5
100 00
182 15
40
Jennings
58
71
129
121.6
5
50 00
177 93
41
Johnson
70
90
160
125
5
100 00
210 00
42
Knox .
84
106
190
178
5
100 00
225 00
43
Kosciusko
101
127
228
224
5
100 00
263 72
41
Lagrange
71
85
156
145
5
100 00
209 09
45
Lake
50
170
220
214
5
100 00
201 80
46
Laporte.
33
150
183
161
5
100 00
271 25
47
Lawrence Madison
70
90
160
155
5
50 00
275 00
48
180
120
300
250
5
50 00
500 00
49
Marion
76
127
203
186
5
100 00
250 00
50
Marshall.
100
111
211
204
5
100 00
192 75
51
Martin
*
*
145
*
5
50 00
228 67
52
Miami.
100
120
220
220
5
100 00
320 00
*No report.
ENROLLMENT.
in days.
drawn from the
stitute.
160
EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
STATISTICS ON COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTES, HELD IN 1903-Continued.
ENROLLMENT.
COUNTIES.
Number.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Average attendance.
Length of session
in days.
Amount of money
County Treasury
for support of In-
Total cost of Institute.
53
Monroe
81 105
62
143
140
$100 00
$241 00
54
Montgomery
118
223
212
100 00
268 00
55
Morgan ..
88
106
194
185
100 00
223 60
56
Newton
40
65
105
90
100 00
200 00
57
Noble
71
95
166
160
100 00
185 15
58
Ohio
25
27
52
45
50 00
86 39
59
Orange
64
67
131
125
100 00
221 00
60
Owen
73
55
128
123
100 00
278 60
61
Parke
80
91
171
166
100 00
205 85
62
Perry
79
57
136
128
100 00
190 68
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