Resolved: (2) That it is the judgment of this Department that all school authorities should permit and encourage the use of the simpler spellings, recommended by the Simplified Spelling Board, by all teachers and pupils who feel inclined to use them. I move the adoption of the first resolution. John MacDonald, Topeka, Kan., moved that the resolution be referred to the committee on Resolutions. J. D. Simpkins, Newark, Ohio, opposed the motion of Mr. MacDonald, on the ground that it throttled free discussion. The motion to refer to the Committee on Resolutions was then put and lost. Mr. Vaile then moved the adoption of the second resolution. Arthur Powell, Middleton, Ohio, moved that the words "and encourage," be stricken out of the resolution. This amendment was accepted by Mr. Vaile and his second, and with this modifica tion the resolution was put and lost. A reconsideration of the vote on the first resolution was then called for. This was granted, and on a standing vote, the first resolution was again carried. President Stetson then announced the following committees: The evening session was called to order at 8:15 by President W. W. Stetson. The first number on the program was a selection by the Imperial Quartette of Chicago. The address of the evening was delivered by Chancellor E. Benjamin Andrews, of the University of Nebraska, on the subject, "The Problems of Greater America." Adjournment was taken to 9:30 A. M., Wednesday, February 27. SECOND DAY MORNING SESSION.-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1907 The morning session of the Department was called to order by President W. W. Stetson, at 9:30 o'clock. An invocation was offered by Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer, of Pennsylvania. The following communication from the Science Department of the University of Chicago was read, and, on motion, referred to the Committee on Resolutions: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO RYERSON PHYSICAL LABORATORY CHICAGO, February 25, 1907. W. W. Stetson, Esq., President of the Department of Superintendence: MY DEAR SIR: It has been suggested to me that possibly the Department of Superintendence might like to co-operate with a number of other organizations in the country in a very interesting piece of educational work. This work is an extensive investigation into the shortcomings of the work in physics in the schools, and an attempt to suggest methods by which this subject may be made more valuable to the students. The work was begun last year by the North Central Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools, acting in co-operation with the Central Association of Science and Mathematics Teachers. These two associations have invited others to co-operate in the work, and fifteen have responded by appointing committees to take part in it. Among these associations are the American Physical Society, the New England Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools, the Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools of the Southern States, The New York State Science Teachers' Association, etc. The committees appointed by these seventeen associations have organized into one large committee, with fifty-seven members, and are engaged in framing a new set of requirements for the unit in physics, and in drawing up a set of suggestions to help the teacher in making the subject more truly educative. The fifty-seven members of the committee are all physics teachers excepting four, who are specialists in education, namely, Professors P. H. Hanus, John Dewey, G. H. Mead, and M. V. O'Shea. The work is being carried on by means of printed circulars and letters, samples of which are inclosed. In the course of the investigation there have several times arisen points of administrative policy, which would be of great interest to your body, and in the solution of which we need your assistance. One such point now under discussion is that of the certification of physics teachers, the admission to college by certificate, and the accrediting of secondary schools. As chairman of the large committee or commission, I take this liberty of writing to you to suggest that we would be much pleased to have the Department of Superintendence appoint a committee of three or five members to help us in this work. We are finding that the investigation cannot be confined to the subject of physics alone, but is bound to include before it is finished the other sciences. Hence the work is bound to be one of considerable scope and importance before it is finished. During the past year, I have had some light correspondence concerning this work with your second vice-president, Mr. R. J. Tighe, with Mr. E. E. Brown, the national commissioner, with Mr. J. H. Van Sickle, and others, to whom you could refer for further information. I also expect to attend most of the meetings, and would be glad to furnish additional information. I hope it is not too late to bring this matter before the section for action at this meeting. Thanking you for any attention you may be willing to give to this, I am, (Signed) Yours respectfully, C. R. MANN. A paper on the first topic, "What Fraction of the Pupils in Our Secondary Schools Cannot Derive Compensating Advantages Therefrom ?" was read by W. J. S. Bryan, principal of the Central High School, St. Louis, Mo. The theme of the second topic was "What Has Been the Effect on the Pupil of the Multiplication of Subjects of Study and of Refinement of Methods ?" The subject was discussed by Commissioner E. A. Jones, Columbus, Ohio. The third paper of the morning, on "Order of Development and Studies Suited to Each Stage," was read by W. E. Chancellor, superintendent of schools, Washington, D. C. Discussion followed by J. W. Crabtree, president of State Normal School, Peru, Neb., and Francis G. Blair, state superintendent of public instruction, Springfield, Ill. At this point Dr. W. T. Harris, former United States Commissioner of Education, was invited to the rostrum and given an ovation of enthusiastic applause by the Department. He spoke briefly on the topics under discussion. BUSINESS SESSION President N. C. Schaeffer, of the National Educational Association, then addressed the Department on the subject of the fiftieth anniversary meeting of the Association, explaining the reasons for holding the meetings in Los Angeles instead of in Philadelphia. Mr. E. C. Moore, superintendent of city schools, of Los Angeles, was then introduced, and extended a cordial welcome to the superintendents and teachers to the meeting at Los Angeles. Superintendent W. H. Maxwell, of New York, chairman of the Committee on Nominations, then read the following recommendation of officers for the ensuing year:President-Frank B. Cooper, Seattle, Washington. First Vice-President-Stratton D. Brooks, Boston, Massachusetts. On motion, the report of the committee was accepted, and the nominees declared elected. The question of the place of meeting for the year 1908 was then taken up, and Superintendent W. E. Chancellor, of Washington, D. C., extended an invitation to the Department to meet in that city. Superintendent E. G. Cooley, of Chicago, invited the Department to meet again in Chicago. Superintendent M. A. Whitney, Elgin, Illinois, moved that the Department accept Superintendent Chancellor's invitation to meet in Washington. Superintendent C. G. Pearse, of Milwaukee, seconded the motion, and, on vote, the invitation to meet in Washington in 1908 was unanimously accepted. The morning session closed with a song from the Imperial Quartette, commemorative of the birthday of Henry W. Longfellow. AFTERNOON SESSION ROUND-TABLE SESSIONS The following programs were carried out during the afternoon from 2:30 to 6:00 o'clock P. M. A. ROUND TABLE, STATE AND COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS Leader-Thomas C. Miller, state superintendent of free schools, Charleston, W. Va Topic-"The Country School and Its Betterment." (a) How to Improve Rural Schools: Miss Katherine L. Craig, state superintendent of public instruction, Denver, Colo. (b) Rural School Supervision: J. W. Olsen, state superintendent of public instruction, St. Paul, Minn.; Discussion led by R. B. Cousins, state superintendent of public instruction, Austin, Texas; C. F. Baxter, State Superintendent of public instruction, of New Jersey. (c) A Course of Study for District Schools: M. Bates Stephens, state superintendent of public education, Annapolis, Md. (d) Manual Training in Rural Schools: Arthur H. Chamberlain, dean and professor of education, Throop Polytechnic Institute, Pasadena, Cal. (e) The Consolidated School and the New Agriculture: O. J. Kern, county superintendent of schools, Rockford, Ill. Discussion led by E. E. Balcomb, department of agriculture and physiography, Southwestern State Normal School, Weatherford, Okla.; Cap E. Miller, county superintendent of schools, Sigourney, Iowa. (The Value of Educational Campaigns: J. L. McBrien, state superintendent of public instruction, Lincoln, Nebraska. Discussion led by Mason S. Stone, superintendent of education for Vermont. (g) School Board Convention: C. P. Cary, state superintendent of public instruction, Madison, Wis. Discussion led by Mason S. Stone, state superintendent of education, Montpelier, Vt. B. ROUND TABLE, CITY SUPERINTENDENTS OF MEDIUM AND SMALLER CITIES Leader-George B. Cook, superintendent of schools, Hot Springs, Ark. (a) The Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing the Elementary Course from Eight to Seven Years and of Making the High-School Course Five Years: James M. Greenwood, superintendent of schools, Kansas City, Mo. Discussion led by J. H. Phillips, superintendent of schools, Birmingham, Ala.; R. B. D. Simons, superintendent of schools, Hannibal, Mo. (b) What Should the Smaller Cities Attempt for the Education of Defective ChildrenPhysical, Mental, and Moral? John Dietrich, superintendent of schools, Colorado Springs, Colo. Discussion led by Geo. A. Franklin, superintendent of schools, Faribault, Minn.; J. W. Kuykendall, superintendent of schools, Fort Smith, Ark. (c) The Relation of the Physical Nature of the Child to His Mental and Moral Development: George W. Reid, superintendent of schools, Monroe, La.; John A. Stewart, superintendent of schools, Bay City, Mich. (d) An Overcrowded Curriculum: G. V. Buchanan, superintendent of schools, Sedalia, Mo. C. ROUND TABLE, CITY SUPERINTENDENTS OF LARGER CITIES Leader W. H. Elson superintendent of Schools, Cleveland, Ohio. (a) Is There Need for Industrial Schools for Pupils Unlikely to Complete the Regular Elementary School Course and Go on to the High School? Should It Provide Trade Instruction? Samuel P. Orth, member of board of education, Cleveland, Ohio; L. D. Harvey, superintendent of schools, Menomonie, Wis.; F. B. Dyer, superintendent of schools, Cincinnati, Ohio. Discussion led by Henry P. Emerson, superintendent of city schools, Buffalo, N. Y. (b) At What Should the Ungraded Room Aim and for What Class of Pupils Should It Provide? C. R. Frazier, superintendent of schools, Winona, Minn. Discussion led by W. L. Stephens, superintendent of schools, Lincoln, Neb.; C. F. Carroll, superintendent of schools, Rochester, N. Y.; George A. Chamberlain, principal East Division High School, Milwaukee, Wis. (c) The Separation of Physically and Mentally Defective Children from the Regular School: C. G. Pearse, superintendent of schools, Milwaukee, Wis. (d) The Separation of the Insubordinate and Incorrigible Children from the Regular School: W. C. Martindale, superintendent of schools, Detroit, Mich.; W. N. Clifford, superintendent of schools, Council Bluffs, Iowa. EVENING SESSION The evening session of the department was called to order at 8:15 by President W. W. Stetson. Music was furnished by the Imperial Quartette. The address of the evening was delivered by Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch, of Chicago, on the subject, “Many or One." THIRD DAY MORNING SESSION.-THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 The session was called to order by President Stetson at 9:30 o'clock. The first topic of the morning-"Should the School Furnish Better Training for the Non-average Child?"—was discussed by John R. Kirk, president of the State Normal School, Kirksville, Mo. The assigned speaker on the second topic-Professor P. P. Claxton, of the University of Tennessee-was unable to be present, and his place was taken by Superintendent J. M. Greenwood, of Kansas City. The subject was "Are We Experimenting Too Much and Devoting Too Little Time and Effort to the Fundamentals ?" The third topic of the morning-"What Are the Essentials in Subjects in the Elementary-School Course ?"--was presented by Elmer E. Brown, United States Commissioner of Education, Washington, D. C. President N. C. Schaeffer then read an invitation to attend the International Peace Congress, New York, April 14-17. The papers of the morning were discussed by Chas. H. Keyes, supervisor of South District Schools, Hartford, Conn.; C. F. Carroll, superintendent of schools, Rochester, N. Y.; Chas. A. McMurry, acting president State Normal School, California, Pa.; Mrs. Grace Reed, principal of John B. Drake School, Chicago, Ill.; F. Louis Soldan, superintendent of instruction, St. Louis, Mo.; Geo. E. Gay, superintendent of schools, Haverhill, Mass.; F. D. Boynton, superintendent of schools, Ithaca, N. Y. James H. Van Sickle, superintendent of schools, Baltimore, Md., then presented a report of the Com mittee on History, of which he was chairman. The morning session closed with music by William Wade Hinshaw, of Chicago. AFTERNOON SESSION The department was called to order at 2:30 P. M. by President Stetson. The first paper of the afternoon was read by Superintendent A. V. Storm, Iowa City Iowa, on the subject "Minimum Qualifications for Teachers of the Elementary School." The second topic, “Minimum Qualifications for the Teacher in the Secondary School," was discussed by Henry Suzzallo, assistant professor of education, Leland Stanford Jr. University. The third topic-"The Growth of the Teacher; How Continued?"—was presented by W. F. Gordy, superintendent of schools, Springfield, Mass. The report of the Committee on Resolutions was read by Superintendent J. H. Phillips, Birmingham, Ala., and on motion the resolutions were adopted as the sentiment of the department. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS Resolved: (1) That the thanks of this Department are due and are hereby extended to Mr. C. M. Treat, Secretary of the Convention Bureau Committee of the Chicago Commercial Association for the excellent accommodations provided for its meetings, and to Superintendent E. G. Cooley and other Chicago educational officials for valuable assistance rendered. Resolved: (2) That the thanks of this Department are hereby extended to President W. W. Stetson for the excellence in the preparation and the rare felicity in the presentation of the splendid program which has given character and distinction to this meeting of the Department. Resolved: (3) That we urge upon all law-making bodies and upon all boards of education the necessity of making every effort possible to remove from all children the temptation to form the habit of cigarette smoking; and to use all the means in their power to discourage a habit which lowers character and undermines the foundations of citizenship. Resolved: (4) That a Committee of Five be appointed by the President of this department to co-operate with similar committees of other scientific associations in the discussion of the problem of science work in the secondary schools of the United States. Resolved: (5) That we recognize the great significance of the movement to substitute arbitration for war in the settlement of international disputes, and recommend the observance of the 18th day of May of each year by the schools of the United States in commemoration of the conference which led to the establishment of the Peace Tribunal at The Hague. Resolved: (6) That we reaffirm our belief that the paramount educational question of the hour is the employment and retention of a sufficient number of well-qualified teachers to fill all of our public schools, and that this Department pledges itself to use its best endeavors to secure such compensation as will enable teachers to prepare themselves properly for their work and to justify them in remaining permanently in the profession of teaching. By the Committee, J. H. PHILLIPS, Chairman J. H. HINEMON President W. W. Stetson then introduced and welcomed the incoming president of the Department, Superintendent Frank B. Cooper, of Seattle, Wash. Following a felicitous response by Superintendent Cooper, the department adjourned to meet in Washington in 1908. J. H. HARRIS, The following were appointed by President Stetson as a Committee on Science Instruc tion in Secondary Schools, to co-operate with various other committees representing the Associations named in the letter of Professor C. R. Mann, of the University of Chicago, and authorized by Resolution No 4, of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, viz: CARROLL G. PEARSE, superintendent of City Schools, Milwaukee, Wis. MASON S. STONE, state superintendent of Education, Montpelier, Vt. JAMES A. BARR, superintendent of City Schools, Stockton, Cal. FRANK D. BOYNTON, superintendent of City Schools, Ithaca, N. Y. W. J. S. BRYAN, principal Central High School, St. Louis, Mo. |
