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 4
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k. STATE LICENSES.
In 1899 the legislature gave applicants for teachers' license the privilege of sending their manuscripts to the department of public instruction to be graded. This entitles them to a license to teach in any county in the state instead of in one county if the manu- scripts are examined and graded by the county superintendent. The law has been a great convenience to teachers and has at the same time assisted materially in raising the standard of examina- tions.
1. READING CIRCLE BOARD.
The state superintendent is, ex officio, a member of the reading circle board of the state. This board and the department have a common purpose in selecting the best literature for teachers and pupils.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
m. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The state superintendent is also, ex officio, a member of the board of trustees of the state normal school. This duty serves to keep the department in close touch with the professional training of teachers and the everyday practical pedagogical problems. It is a duty, too, which takes the superintendent away from his clerical duties and brings him face to face with the actual problems of teachers.
B. THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
1. HISTORY.
When Caleb Mills first suggested a board of education for Indiana it was to consist of a county superintendent chosen from each of the congressional districts. When in 1852 the board was created it consisted of the state superintendent, and the governor, secretary, treasurer and auditor of state. In 1855 the attorney- general was added. In 1865, it was changed and consisted of the state superintendent, the governor, the president of the state uni- versity, the president of the state normal school (not established till 1872), and the superintendents of schools of the three largest cities in the state. In 1875 the president of Purdue Uni- versity was added. In 1899 the general assembly enacted a law providing for three additional members to be appointed by the governor. They must be three citizens of prominence, actively engaged in educational work in the state, at least one of whom shall be a county superintendent, none of whom shall be appointed from any county in which any other member of the state board of educa- tion resides, or from which any other member was appointed. Under this last provision the present board has the following membership :
Fassett A. Cotton, president; state superintendent public in- struction.
W. W. Parsons, secretary, president state normal school.
Hon. W. T. Durbin, governor of Indiana.
Dr. William L. Bryan, president Indiana university.
Dr. W. E. Stone, president Purdue university.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Dr. W. T. Stott, president Franklin college.
C. N. Kendall, superintendent Indianapolis schools.
F. W. Cooley, superintendent Evansville schools.
J. N. Study, superintendent Ft. Wayne schools.
Prof. J. M. Bloss, ex-state superintendent of public instruction. E. E. Robey, superintendent Howard county.
The state board of education with its ex officio membership has always been regarded as a unique feature in the Indiana system. Indeed its strength has been due to its ex officio membership. At times it has had in its membership such men as David Starr Jordan, John Merle Coulter, and Lewis H. Jones, men of national and international reputation. So constituted it will necessarily always have the best qualified educators of the state.
2. ADMINISTRATION. a. EXAMINATIONS.
The state board of education is responsible for all examinations of teachers and makes all questions used in these examinations which are for the following grades of license :
1. Primary license, one, two and three years.
2. Common school license, one, two and three years.
3. High school license, one, two, three and five years.
4. Professional license, eight years.
5. Life state license.
In addition to making the questions the board conduets the examination and examines and grades the manuseripts of appli- cants for professional and life state licenses. All other examina- tions are conducted by the county superintendent, and the manu- scripts are graded by the county superintendent or by the state superintendent. The law provides for an examination to be held on the last Saturday of the first eight months in each year.
b. REGULATIONS CONCERNING EXAMINATIONS AND LICENSES.
The following eircular was issued by the state superintendent of public instruction.
Indianapolis, Ind., January 15, 1904.
All applicants for common school or primary licenses during the year 1904-either state or county licenses-may select either one of two lists of
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
questions on the subjects of history and literature. In each subject, one list will be based upon the general field of the subject, the other upon the reading circle book corresponding with it.
Grades of Licenses.
I. Life State License for Graduates of Higher Institutions of Learn- ing Only .- The state board of education revised its rules governing appli- cants for life state licenses by the addition of the following resolutions:
Resolved. That the rules of the state board of education relating to examinations for and the granting of life state licenses, shall be and are hereby amended by the addition of the following: All graduates of higher institutions of learning in Indiana, or other institutions of equal rank in other states approved by this board, which require graduation from com- missioned high schools, or the equivalent of the same, as a condition of entrance, which maintain standard courses of study of at least four years. and whose work, as to scope and quality, is approved by the state board of education, shall, on complying with the conditions enumerated below, be entitled to life state licenses to teach in Indiana: Provided, however, That graduation by the applicant shall have been accomplished by not less than three years' resident study and by thorough. extended examinations in all subjects pursued privately and for which credit has been given by the institution: And, provided further, That the requirement as to three years' resident study shall apply only to applicants graduating after January 18, 1900.
First. Such applicants must have held one or more sixty months' licenses or a professional license. (See requirements in this circular.)
Second. They must present to the state board of education satisfac- tory written testimonials from competent superintendents, special super- visors. teachers, or other school officials to the effect that they have taught and managed a school or schools successfully for a period of not less than thirty months, at least ten of which shall have been in Indiana.
Third. They must pass thorough, satisfactory examinations in any three of the following subjects: (1) General history of education; (2) The school system and the school law of Indiana: (3) Educational psychology; (4) Experimental psychology and child study: (5) Leading school systems of Europe and America; (6) Science of education, and (7) The principles and methods of instruction.
Fourth. Before entering upon the examination, such applicants shall present to the state board of education satisfactory evidence of good moral character. and shall pay five dollars each (the fee prescribed by law), which can, in no case. be refunded. Examinations in the subjects named above may be taken on the last Saturday of April.
Fifth. A license will be granted to those who make a general average of 75 per cent., not falling below 65 per cent. in any subject.
II and III. For Applicants, not Graduates of Higher Institutions of Learning .- Life state and professional.
Examinations for these licenses will be conducted in the months of February and April.
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EDUCATION.IN INDIANA.
Section 1. Subjects for February: Algebra, civil government. Ameri- can literature, science of education, and two of the following three subjects-Elements of physics, elements of botany, and Latin (Latin grammar, two books of Caesar and two of Virgil). A satisfactory exami- nation on the above entitles the applicant to a professional license, valid in any Indiana school for eight years.
Section 2. Subjects for April: Geometry, rhetoric, general history, English literature, physical geography and two of the following three subjects-chemistry, geology, and zoology. A satisfactory examination on both 1 and 2 entitles the applicant to a life state license.
The following requirements govern the application for life state and professional licenses:
1. Applicants for life state and professional licenses must have held two thirty-six months' licenses in Indiana, or an equivalent in another state, obtained by actual examination, and must have taught successfully at least forty-eight months, which fact shall be properly certified to and sent with the manuscript to the state board of education.
Before entering upon the examination, applicants shall present to the examiner satisfactory evidence of good moral character and professional ability. Applicants for life state license shall pay five dollars each (the fee prescribed by law), which can, in no case, be refunded.
2. Applicants for professional license will take the February exami- nation only.
3. No fee is required of applicants for professional license.
4. A license will be granted to those who make a general average of seventy-five per cent., not falling below sixty per cent. in any subject. and who present satisfactory evidence of professional ability and good moral character.
5. An applicant for a life state license failing in the examination for the same, but who will have met all the requirements for a professional license, shall receive such license, or if he reach the required average for a professional license, but fall below the standard per cent. in one subject, he may be conditioned in such subject, and may be granted a professional license, on the same conditions as if he had originally applied for a license of this class.
6. An applicant is "conditioned," that is, he may complete the work at the next regular examination, if he makes the required general average and pass successfully upon all the branches except one, required for the license applied for. A statement setting forth this fact will be furnished such "conditioned" applicant, who must present the same to the county superintendent, who will forward it with the conditioned manuscript to the department of public instruction.
Where the Examinations May Be Taken.
Applicants for a professional license or a life state license may be ex- amined by members of the state board of education at any one of the fol- lowing places on the last Saturdays of February and April, respectively:
1. In the department of public instruction, state house.
2. In the office of the city superintendent of schools, Fort Wayne.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
3. In the office of the city superintendent of schools, Evansville.
4. In the office of the county superintendent of schools, Valparaiso.
5. In the office of the county superintendent of schools, Richmond.
6. In the office of the county superintendent of schools, Terre Haute.
7. In the office of the county superintendent of schools, Lafayette.
S. In the office of the city superintendent of schools, Seymour.
9. In the office of the city superintendent of schools, Bloomington ..
Rules.
1. Write upon one side of the paper only, using legal cap.
2. See that the answers to the questions in each branch are entirely separate from those of any other branch. and securely fastened together.
3. Write full name and postoffice address upon each set of answers, and upon every sheet disconnected from the first one.
4. Answer the general questions upon a separate sheet.
5. Furnish the examiner with recommendations required, which are to be filed for future reference.
Applicants should furnish to the examiner the necessary postage to send manuscripts.
IV. Sixty Months' State License .- This license is valid to teach any subject in any non-commissioned high school in the state; to teach all of the common branches in any school in the state; and to teach the subjects upon which the examination is made in any commissioned school. The examination may be taken on the last Saturday of any of the first eight calendar months, but must be taken in two divisions, as follows:
The first division. an average of 95 per cent., not falling below 85 per cent. in the common branches;" the second division, an average of 75 per cent., not falling below 60 per cent. in any of the five branches, as follows;
Group 1-Literature and composition (required by all applicants).
Group 2-Algebra or geometry (one required).
Group 3-Botany. zoology, chemistry, physics, or physical geography (one required).
Group 4-History and civics. Latin or German (one required).
Group 5-One subject from "2." "3." or "I"' not already taken. Five subjects are required in this division.
In order to secure a sixty months' license the MSS. of both divisions must be sent to this department, by number, for gradation. The fee of $1.00 must be sent with the MSS. in each division. These examinations may be taken in any county.
Note 1. An applicant who has never taught may take the examination in any county.
. Note 2. An applicant who has taught must take the examination in the county in which he last taught unless he has permission from the county superintendent under whom he last taught, and then he must bear recommendations and be fully identified to the county superintendent to whom he applies for examination.
V. Thirty-six Months' State License .- Valid to teach the common branches in any common school of the state for a period of three years.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
It is issued by the state department. The examination may be taken on the last Saturday of any of the first eight calendar months. General average, 95 per cent .: minimum grade, 85 per cent.
VI. Twenty-four Months' State License .- Valid to teach the common branches In any school of the state. General average. 90 per cent .; min- imum grade, 80 per cent. Other conditions same as "V."
VII. Twelve Months' State License .- Valid to teach the common branches in any school of the state for a period of twelve months. Gen- eral average, 85 per cent .: minimum grade, 75 per cent. Other conditions same as "V."
VIII. State Primary License .- For periods of one, two or three years upon averages and minimums as in V, VI and VII. These licenses are issued by the state department of publie instruction, and examinations may be taken on the last Saturday of March, April, May. June, July or August.
IX. State High School License .- Issued by the department of public instruction and valid to teach high school subjects in any of the schools of the state. The applicant must be examined upon all subjects he desires to teach. No license will be issued for a period of more than one year unless the applicant write upon at least five subjects. The averages and minimums are the same as in V, VI and VII. The examinations may be taken on the last Saturday of any of the first eight calendar months.
X. County Common School Licenses .- Issued by county superintend- ents for periods of three, two, one and one-half years, and valid to teach the common branches in the schools of the county in which the license is granted. The questions for these and all other examinations are fur- nished by the state board of education. Examinations are conducted on the last Saturday of each of the first eight calendar months. The aver- ages and minimums are the same as in V, VI and VII.
XI. County Primary Licenses .- Issued by the county superintendent for periods of one, two and three years. The examinations may be taken in March, April, May, June, July or August. Other conditions the same as in X.
XII. County High School License .- Issued by the county superintend- ent for periods of one, two and three years. Other conditions the same as IX.
XIII. Fees .- An applicant for any grade of license mentioned in V. VI, VII, VIII and IX above. must pay the fee of one dollar. This fee pro- vides for one trial only if the applicant seeures a license. If he fails to secure a license he may have a second trial. A third trial is granted in case of a second failure. These three trials may be made for the one fee. provided they occur within one calendar year; otherwise, the usual fee must be paid for the second or third trial.
Applicants for the first division of a sixty months' license are entitled to three trials in any one calendar year for one fee in case of failure to make the required grades, provided a lower grade of license is not issued.
XIV. Sixty Months' License-High School License .- If an applieant fall too low in the common school branches, a license will be issued on each section separately in accordance with the standard attained by him in such sections; in which case a subsequent examination would make necessary an additional fee.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
c. SCHOOL BOOK COMMISSIONERS.
The state board of education is the state board of school book commissioners. As such it adopts text-books for the common schools for periods of five years. When a contract has been made with a publisher the books are secured for the public by a requisi- tion of the county superintendent for the number of books needed in his county upon the state superintendent, who in turn makes requisition upon the contractor for the number of books needed in the state. The county superintendent becomes the agent for the sale of these books and makes his reports to the various contractors.
This plan of securing uniform text-books has been regarded as very successful and it is believed that the following advantages are gained from such uniformity :
1. It insures good books at a uniform low price.
2. It obviates the purchase of new books when children move from one part of the state to another.
3. It makes classification easy.
4. It puts teachers in closer touch.
5. It makes a uniform course of study more effective.
d. HIGH SCHOOL COMMISSIONS.
The state board of education in order to keep some uniform standard of efficiency in high schools has established certain requirements in the work which entitle high schools to commis- sions. These commissions carry with them exemption from exami- nation for entrance to the freshman class in the higher institutions of learning. Upon the recommendation of the state superintendent members of the board inspect the work of high schools and deter- mine whether the requirements for commission have been met. This work of the board has resulted in a perceptible increase in the efficiency of the high schools, since all schools want commis- sions, and when once obtained every effort is made on the part of school officials, teachers and patrons to retain them. Following are the requirements necessary for a commission :
The following course of study for the commissioned high schools of Indiana was adopted by the state board of education, July 2, 1902. It is a revision of the course adopted in 1898. It provides for required work as follows: Three years of language, three years of history, three years of
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
mathematics, two years of science, four years of English, and electives to complete a full course of four years. It is not intended that the course should be an absolute one, but that it should guide local school officers and teachers and form the basis of a minimum course. For example, the option is given in the first year to study either botany or zoology, or one of four languages. In the third year to pursue the study of England throughout the entire year, or to divide the year between the French and English history; in the fourth year to study either physics or chemistry, or both, or to carry throughout the year any one of a number of electives It is the desire of the board to have a few subjects continued throughout the entire course, rather than a great field of subjects each through a brief period. It would not seem advisable to drop one year of English for the purpose of substituting an elective. nor does it seem advisable to drop one year of history and substitute an elective in a different department. A course of study containing few subjects, pursued throughout the entire high school course, has many advantages: First, It gives excellent train- ing, scholarship and discipline in a given subject. Second, It makes necessary fewer teachers. Third, It requires a smaller library and equip- ment. The board recognizes the fact that a great many students do not continue their education beyond the high school. For that reason, the option is given of substituting commercial arithmetic or bookkeeping for solid geometry. It is the intention of the state board of education to inspect as many of the commissioned high schools each year as it is pos- sible for them to reach. The points of interest to them are those required of all commissioned high schools, namely: First. The character of the teaching must be satisfactory. Second, The high school course must not be less than thirty-two months in length, continuing from the eighth year. Third. The whole time of at least two teachers must be given to the high school work. Fourth. The pursuing of few subjects throughout the entire course rather than many covering short periods. Fifth. A library adequate to meet all the demands for reference work and general reading supplementary to the regular text-books. (See recommendations in connection with the outlines of the different subjects and reference list on page 35.) Sixth. Laboratories fully equipped to do all of the necessary work in the sciences pursued in any given high school. Seventh, No science should be taught for a term of less than one year. Eighth, Ad- mission to the high school must be given only to those who have com- pleted to the entire satisfaction of the school officers and teachers, all of the work of the grades. Ninth, The high school building must be kept in good order, the sanitary appliances adequate, the heating and lighting good, and outhouses and indoor closets clean and sanitary. Tenth, All courses leading to college entrance should provide at least three years of foreign language. Eleventh, Psychology, sociology and political econ- omy should not be taught in high schools. Twelfth. Beginning with the school year 1903, each high school must have in its faculty at least one graduate from an acceptable normal school, college or university. Thir- teenth. The course of study must be at least a fair equivalent of the following:
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
COURSE OF STUDY.
FIRST YEAR.
SECOND YEAR.
THIRD YEAR.
FOURTH YEAR.
(Required.)
English.
Algebra.
Algebra, one-half year, and Plane Geometry, one-half year, or Concrete Geometry, one-half year. (Elective.)
Plane Geometry, one- half year, and Solid Geometry, one-half year.
American History and Civil Govern ment.
Botany or Zoology.
English.
English.
History of Greece. one-half year, and History of Rome, . one-half year.
History of England, one year, or French and English His- tory, one year (one- half year each).
ELECTIVES- Physical Geogra- phy. Geology. Commercial Arith- metic.
Bookkeeping or Language, one year.
The following is a high school inspection blank used by the board of education :
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL INSPECTION.
Ind., 190. ..
To the State Board of Education:
Gentlemen-Having visited the high school at . on the . day of 190. . and having made a careful inspection of said school, I beg to submit the subjoined report:
1. Physical Conditions:
(a) Building
(b) Heating
(c) Ventilation
(d) Premises
(e) Outhouses
(f) (g)
II. Name and Educational and Pedagogical Qualifications of the
(a) Superintendent.
(b) High school principal.
(c) First assistant
((1) Second assistant
(e) Third assistant (f) (g)
III. Course of Study (Number of months of work in):
(a) Composition and rhetoric.
(b) Literature
(c) Physics
English.
Physics or Chemis- try.
Language- (a) Latin, (b) German, (c) French or (() Greek.
Language.
Language.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Ill. Course of Study-Continued.
(d) Zoology
(e) Botany
(f) Geology
(g) Chemistry
(lı) Latin-
a.
1.
c.
(i) History and civics- -
a.
h.
c. d.
(j) Algebra
(k) Geometry
(1)
(m)
(n)
IV. * Libraries:
(a) No. classical books.
(b) No. mathematical books.
(c) No. scientific books
(d) No. literary books
(e) No. reference books, as dictionaries, etc. (f) (g)
V. ¡ Apparatus:
(a) For work in physics No. of pieces and value.
(b) For work in botany
No. of pieces and value
(c) For chemistry No. of pieces and value.
(d) For zoology No. of pieces and value
(e) (f)
VI. Enrollment:
(a) In senior class
(b) In junior class
(c) In second year
(d) In first year
(e) In grades below high school
*List of titles should be attached on separate sheet unless the library is very large, +List of most important pieces should be attached.
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EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
VII. Remarks:
(a) On character of instruction
(b) On spirit of school and community.
(c) On average age of graduating class
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