THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

ADMINISTRATION:

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

DIRECTORS.
TEACHERS.

SCHOOLS:

UNIVERSITY.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

TEACHERS' NORMAL INSTITUTES.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

GRADED AND DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

By section 1577, Code, the superintendent of public instruction is charged with the general supervision of the schools of the state. He is given the power to call the county superintendents together, for purposes of consultation and in order to gain an efficient and uniform administration of the school laws. The county superintendents have generally responded cheerfully to these calls, but in order to reach the results contemplated under this provision their attendance should be made mandatory, and they should be allowed their expenses, in addition to the usual per diem, while attending such conventions.

In section 1579, as amended by the Twenty-second General Assembly, the superintendent of public instruction is also charged with the publication and distribution of the school laws. At present there are no provisions for furnishing the laws to any one who is not a school officer. This has occasioned some complaint. The students in the university preparing to teach, and those in the normal school, as well as students in the various schools which have a special normal department, are anxious to become acquainted with those requirements of the law in which they are especially interested. The same is true of the teachers in the normal instit

utes.

It is for the interests of the State that the teachers in the schools should be familiar with the school laws. It would be a wise provision of the law if the superintendent of public instruction were empowered to prepare a pamphlet containing those sections of the law which bear directly upon the teacher's duties and liabilities, and distribute it so that a copy may reach every teacher in the State, and may also be furnished to those who are carefully preparing for the teacher's profession. The constitution, and an outline of the civil government of the State should also be included in this manual. This department will very willingly undertake the preparation of such a compilation, if authorized to do so.

THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENCY.

Nearly all the States of the Union, as well as the territories, have recognized, in their school laws, the value of county supervision. The only question in any of them now is, how to make it more effective. No State, as far as I know, has ever taken steps toward abolishing the office. In our school law the county superintendent is a factor of recognized importance. No other county officer is charged with as weighty responsibilities, and for that reason he ought to be selected with special reference to his fitness for his work. More than this, the office should be placed upon such a basis as regards compensation and influence, that competent men will consent to take it and devote all their time and energy to the discharge of its duties. In our more populous counties the county superintendent should be allowed the services of a deputy, during a part of the year, to aid him in looking over examination papers, in conducting his correspondence, and in the details of his office work.

His own time should be very largely given to visiting schools, inspecting the work of teachers, settling trifling misunderstandings which often arise in the district, holding township meetings and institutes, and in creating by his personal influence a healthy public opinion in favor of good schools. About the worst use to which we can put a county superintendent is to confine him within the walls of his office, doing the work which a clerk could do as well, while he, himself, ought to be out among his schools, directing, encouraging, stimulating, every-where making his influence felt by his energy and enthusiasm.

Close supervision is coming to be recognized universally as essential to a well-ordered school system. It is true that under the most favorable conditions the county superintendency does not give our country schools the supervision they need, but it gives us the best we can hope for at present. Even as it now exists, if we

make the most of this form of inspection that is possible, it will greatly improve our schools in the rural districts.

This department has often been asked to what extent the county superintendent may require reports from the teachers employed in the schools of the county. We have always answered, just so far as he may deem it essential and necessary, in order that he may obtain an exact knowledge of the schools under his charge.

I do not believe that the time will ever come in Iowa, when we can afford to abolish the office of county superintendent. But it is generally conceded that the time has fully come when we can, and ought to, increase his remuneration, lengthen his term of office, and enlarge his powers, to the end that we may obtain the best possible results from his labors. An educational and moral qualification should be fixed upon, and no one should be eligible to the office who does not reach the required standard. The office ought to be strictly non-partisan; no other office, in its administration, comes so near the most vital interests of the people. The county superintendent should be chosen upon his merits alone, regardless of party affiliations. To substantiate my position I quote one sentence from the Minnesota report:

"Because, therefore, of the importance of this office, I must again call attention to the serious embarrassments which superintendents of counties suffer in being chosen at popular elections, at times when all the agencies of party prejudice, personal enmities, and personal ambitions, conspire to obscure a sound judgment, and prevent a careful selection of an officer who is thoroughly competent to discharge the duties of the office."

I do not mean in any way to disparage our present county superintendents. During the last two years I have been brought into close relations with most of them. I have met them in associations and in their county superintendents' meetings; I have seen them in their institutes, and have corresponded with them largely. I believe that the large majority of them have devoted themselves to their work with untiring energy, and have displayed a rare fidelity to their trusts: an energy and a fidelity worthy the highest commendation.

I take this occasion to renew the recommendation of my predecessor in office, that the county superintendent be required by law, to audit the accounts of each district treasurer in his county, at least once every year, and if he finds any funds missing or not accounted for, to bring the matter to the notice of the proper