Vol. XII. DECEMBER, 1911 No. 4. Minutes of City and Town Superintendents' Association, November 9, 10, 11, 1911. Assembly Room Claypool Hotel, Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 11, 1911. SUPT. C. C. COLEMAN, President Town and City Superintendents' Association. President F. J. McConnell, DePauw University, addressed the Association. on the subject, "The Moral Situation in Our Colleges." Many of the things done by college students now are not so bad as they are painted by critics. The old time college pranks have disappeared; there is less drinking among students than there was twenty-five years ago, and altogether moral condi SUPT. W. A. MYERS, Secretary Town and City Superintendents' Association. they practice. Colleges have the authority to extend their authority to cover these organizations. Athletic organizations are all right and they exert a good influence over the student. College athletics in Indiana are well managed. Things are better than twenty-five years ago in the line of morals in schools. Minor vices, such as cigarette smoking, are on the increase. The smoking habit is learned before the student comes to college. At the suggestion of B. F. Moore, President McConnell was asked to talk on the High School Fraternity problem. He said that the High School fraternity is a bad thing because you can not control it. You also have the parents to deal with. Supt. Moore said that so far as smoking was concerned, he turned over to the probation officer all students under sixteen years of age. This plan works effectually. Supt. J. B. Pearcy told how the An SUPT. H. G. Woody, Treasurer Town and City Superintendents' Association. tailed outline of these courses was presented as they were given for teachers of classes A, B, and C, and in the special courses. An exhibit of charts showed that 40 per cent. of the high school teachers in Indiana in 19101911, were in their positions for the first time. "The Practice High School Work at Indiana University" was presented by Supt. H. L. Smith. A detailed outline. of the work was presented under the following heads: I. Preparation. II. The actual practice work in the Bloomington High School. III. The plan of growth and development of teachers. IV. As an example of the work done, an outline of the English work was given. The subject, "Professional Training of High School Instructors at Purdue University," was presented by Prof. Geo. L. Roberts. Purdue prepares for professional training in teaching only in the subjects of Manual Training, Agriculture, and Domestic Science. The practice work is done in the West. Lafayette High School. In the discussion of the subject, Supt. R. F. Hight said that he selected for his teachers those (1) who know their subjects; (2) who have "horse sense," and (3) who have moral force. When these qualifications are met he has only enough to meet his needs so that he does not ask as to professional training. "Professional Training of High School Instructors at the Indiana State Normal School" was given by Prof. F. A. Bogardus. He showed by statistics the demand for such a course and stated that teachers were trying to meet the demand. He outlined in detail the course at the Normal School. Supt. C. J. Waits led in the discussion of the subject. Prof. R. B. Von Kleinsmid presented the subject, "Professional Training of High School Instructors at De Pauw University." Of the 500,000 teachers in this country 125,000 are new each year. Not so with other professions. High School teachers should have four years work in alvance of what they teach. He outlined the courses given at De Pauw University for training High School teachers. Many requests come for teachers to teach not only his major but several other subjects. Discussion was led by Supt. H. G. Woody. In the general discussion Supt. B. F. Moore said there should be mutual co-operation between the school officials and college authorities with reference to the training of High School teachers. J. T. Giles, of Marion. E. W. Lawrence, of Newcastle. 2:00 o'clock p. m., Nov. 10, 1911. The program was taken up promptly by the President. "In What Respect Do High School Instructors Fail to Show a Maximum of Efficiency?" Supt. B. F. Moore (1) By those who only mark time. These could be dropped but this is not best. They should be helped and induced to better prepare themselves. A plan of grading salaries of High School teachers should be put in vogue; (2) By those who fail in maximum of efficiency in getting hold of children. Supt. J. A. Wood-Present day schools call for (1) intelligence; (2) instruction in the essentials of personal and general health; (3) adequate materials; (4) training of the hand; (5) knowledge of the occupations; (6) knowledge of business and (7) relations to fellows. Immaturity and unpreparedness has much to do with efficiency of High School work. Subjects, rather than boys and girls, are taught. Too much estrangement exists between teacher and pupil. There is not enough of student attitude. Teachers do not teach pupils to organize their work but do it for them. The lack of reverence and of moral force hinders efficiency. Some specific causes of lack of efficiency: 1. Lack of High School to adapt itself to needs of community. Supt. J. N. Study-Reasons for lack of efficiency: 1. Lack of scholastic attainment. 2. Lack of understanding by High School teachers of what they may expect from High School students. 3. Lack of supervision in High Schools. 4. The great number of inexperienced teachers in High School work. "Does the Work Outlined in the Morning Session Secure the Efficiency We Desire?" Supt. T. F. Fitzgibbon-Weakness in college and normal school plans. 1. Practice comes too late to do the most good and those trained in this. practice do not teach in the smaller High Schools and accredited schools where they are most needed. 2. Practice in these schools is limited to one subject. This does not meet the situation where the teacher has to teach more than one subject. 3. Observation in practice school is too limited. Ample observation should be given. 4. Academic instruction is poor. Teachers get these poor methods in college and then attempt to use them. in High Schools. 5. Teachers fail to incite any motive for work in the High School subjects. Training schools should engender such motives. 9. Government-Control of the unexpected. 10. A proper view of life. 11. Knowledge of importance of character building. 12. Knowledge in will training. Supt. J. H. Tomlin spoke briefly in the place of Supt. W. A. Wirt who was not present. Honorable Harlin Updegraff, of the U. S. Department of Education, explained the certification of High School teachers in general throughout the country. Supt. J. B. Fagan moved that the chair appoint a committee of five to ascertain from members of this body just what they want as to preparation for High School teachers and to report at the next annual meeting. The motion prevailed. The chair appointed: J. B. Fagan, Chairman. O. C. Pratt. G. M. Wilson. 8:00 o'clock p. m., Nov. 10, 1911. Supt. E. H. Drake-The average be- Assembly room, Claypool. ginning teacher lacks: 1. Practice in teaching. 2. Skill in questioning. 3. Thoroughness. 4. Proportion-Important and fundamental not emphasized and often overlooked. Prof. J. Franklin Brown delivered a lecture on "The Training of Secondary School Teachers." He spoke at length of the schools of Germany. The social, political and industrial life of Germany works itself out in the schools. The different grades of schools in Germany |