SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS MORNING SESSION-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1918 A preliminary musical program of community and patriotic singing, led by A. J. Gantvoort, was participated in by the audience. The following program was presented: Topic: Centralizing Tendencies in Educational Administration a) "Limitations of State Control in Education"-Payson Smith, state commissioner of education, Boston, Mass. b) "The County as a Unit for Local Administration"-Albert S. Cook, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, Md. c) "The Township as a Unit for Local Administration"-R. B. Teitrick, deputy state superintendent of public instruction, Harrisburg, Pa. d) "How a State Department May Stimulate Local Initiative and Increase Efficiency"-George D. Strayer, professor of educational administration, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. Discussion-C. P. Cary, state superintendent of public instruction, Madison, Wis.; J. Y. Joyner, state superintendent of public instruction, Raleigh, N.C.; Edith K. O. Clark, state superintendent of public instruction, Cheyenne, Wyo.; A. A. McDonald, superintendent of schools, Sioux Falls, S.Dak.; Charl O. Williams, county superintendent of schools, Memphis, Tenn. A four-minute talk was given by William McCormick Blair, national director of the Four Minute Men, Chicago, Ill. A five-minute talk was given by Robert McElroy, chairman of the Committee on Patriotic Education of the National Security League, Princeton, N.J. AFTERNOON SESSION-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1918 After the preliminary musical program of community and patriotic singing by the audience, led by A. J. Gantvoort, the following program was presented: Topic: Opportunity and Leadership in American Education a) "The Place of the Privately Supported and Managed Institution"-Alexander Meiklejohn, president, Amherst College, Amherst, Mass. b) "The Place of the State Supported and Managed Institution"-Benjamin Ide Wheeler, president, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. c) "The Place of the Educational Institution for Women"-Kathryn Sisson McLean, dean of women, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. d) "The Place of the Educational Foundation"-Clyde Furst, secretary, Carnegie Foundation, New York, N.Y. e) "The View of the Entire Situation from the Outside"-Don C. Seitz, Editor, The World, New York, N.Y. EVENING SESSION-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1918 After the preliminary musical program of community and patriotic singing by the audience, led by A. J. Gantvoort, the following program was presented: "Re-education of Crippled Soldiers"-Major Wilson H. Henderson, War Department, Washington, D.C. "Education during the War"-P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, Washington, D.C. Mademoiselle Clement, of Bordeaux, France, spoke for five minutes on the reasons for extending the teaching of French in this country, due to the war situation. Greetings from Canada were presented by A. Kennedy, inspector of schools for Saskatchewan, Weyburn, Canada, in which he said in part: "As our countries lie side by side; as our boys fight side by side; as our flags hang side by side-so may our teachers work side by side." President Finegan appointed the following committee to represent the Department of Superintendence in cooperation with members of a commission appointed by the National Education Association to consider constructive educational principles growing out of the war: Payson Smith, commissioner of education, Boston, Mass. Josephine C. Preston, state superintendent of public instruction, Olympia, Wash. J. A. C. Chandler, superintendent of schools, Richmond, Va. THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS MORNING SESSION-THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1918 The morning session was devoted to the reports of committees and to the annual business meeting. "Report of the Committee on Economy of Time in Elementary Education"H. B. Wilson, superintendent of schools, Topeka, Kans., chairman. "Economy in Learning in Relation to Economy of Time"-Ernest Horn, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. "The Problem-Project Attack in Organization, Subject-Matter, and Teaching"William H. Kilpatrick, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. "School Practice as Affected by the Reports of the Committee on Economy of Time”—J. H. Withers, superintendent of schools, St. Louis, Mo.; Calvin N. Kendall, state commissioner of education, Trenton, N.J. The report of the Committee on Organization of the National Education Association was presented by William B. Owen, president, Chicago Normal College, Chicago, Ill., chairman. A general discussion was opened by Robert J. Aley, president, University of Maine, Orono, Me. Durand W. Springer, educational director of Camp Custer, and former secretary of the National Education Association, offered some suggestions to the report. At this point Mr. Owen stated that Mr. Springer's suggestions would be printed with his report. The spirit of the report of the committee was approved by vote of the department and recommended to the meeting at Pittsburgh for final consideration. The report of the Committee on Publicity was presented by Charles J. Judd, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill., executive secretary, who moved that the work of his committee be accepted and the committee be retained to continue its work. There was no discussion and the motion was carried. The report of the Commission on Administrative Legislation was presented by Charles E. Chadsey, superintendent of schools, Detroit, Mich., chairman, who moved that his report be accepted and printed in the Proceedings, and that the Commission be continued another year to complete its study of the question of a model school law and submit a special report concerning this subject. There was no discussion and the motion carried. The report of the Committee on Cooperation with School Boards was presented by Fred M. Hunter, superintendent of schools, Oakland, Calif., chairman. The report was accepted. The annual business meeting followed the program. The Committee on Nominations reported as follows thru the chairman, A. N. Cody: President-E. C. Hartwell, superintendent of schools, St. Paul, Minn. First Vice-President-D. B. Corson, acting superintendent of schools, Newark, N.J. Second Vice-President J. R. Morgan, superintendent of schools, Trinidad, Colo. Secretary-Marie Gugle, assistant superintendent of schools, Columbus, Ohio. The report of the committee was accepted unanimously. The following report of the Committee on Resolutions was adopted as presented by F. B. Pearson, chairman: In this time of stress and anxiety we pledge anew our loyal support to every movement, such as the Junior Red Cross and War Savings, whose objectives are a triumphant victory and the preparation of our people for the subsequent peace. We shall hail the day when every person who claims the protection of our flag will be deeply imbued with real Americanism and with a patriotism that will smile in the face of sacrifice. We pledge our best efforts to hasten the day when all our people will be able to speak, read, and write our language and will thrill at the sight of our flag. It shall be our aim to train the youth of our land that they may have strong bodies, clear minds, and clean spirits. We shall renew our efforts to eliminate waste in every form, whether of resources, time, or energies, and to strive toward a civilization that thinks soberly, plans wisely, acts righteously, and has won immunity from the frivolous, the superficial, and the artificial. We shall do our utmost to banish ignorance and idleness that we may become a nation of intelligent, thrifty, efficient workers. In the reconstruction period that lies just ahead, there will be no place for slacking in our ranks, but every teacher must be both able and willing to assume his full share of responsibility in making our school work more vital, that it may most effectively aid in the life-processes. To this end we call upon all our people to see to it that there is no relaxing of educational standards and that school work may not be subordinated to other activities. We need to intensify our work and transform dull routine into pulsing energy. We call upon our colleges and normal schools, therefore, to give us teachers who are, first of all, successful as human beings, and who are keen, alert, and dynamic, that their work with the children may demonstrate that education is a spiritual process and not a mechanical process. We favor a comprehensive, thorogoing program of health education and physical education as absolutely necessary for all boys and girls of elementary- and secondaryschool age, both rural and urban, in every state of the Union. We recommend that the Smith-Hughes law be so amended by Congress as to prevent the possibility of the creation of a dual system of education in any state. All acts appropriating money for the advancement of public education in the states should place the administration in the hands of the commissioners of education and the chief school officers in the various states. We favor the movement for Americanization conducted and directed by the United States Bureau of Education and urgently recommend the appropriation by Congress of funds in liberal amount in support of this movement. In order that efficient teachers may be retained in the service and that an adequate supply of trained teachers may be assured for the future, the urgent need of much larger appropriations for the payment of the salaries of teachers should be strongly emphasized and brought to the attention of appropriating bodies. We desire to express the thanks of this organization to the president, Dr. Thomas E. Finegan, for the excellence of the program he has provided and for the dignified and courteous way in which he has administered this program. Our thanks are due also to the officials and citizens of Atlantic City for their helpful cooperation with, and cordial attitude toward, this Association and its officers. The following resolution was presented by Charles H. Keyes, of Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: Resolved, That we note with extreme satisfaction the high standard of professional recognition fixt by the Board of Education of New York City in the generous treatment which it accorded Superintendent William H. Maxwell, who for many years rendered distinguisht service in this department. In expressing our appreciation of the action of the Board of Education, we at the same time assure Dr. Maxwell of our pleasure that his work has been so appropriately recognized. Miss Kate D. Blake, of New York City, moved from the floor the adoption of the following: Resolved, That the Department of Superintendence urge the boards of education of this country to provide school luncheons for children who are undernourisht.. The resolution was seconded and adopted. The cities desiring to invite the Department of Superintendence for its 1919 meeting were represented as follows: Chicago, John D. Shoop; Milwaukee, Milton C. Potter; New York, George Sweeny, manager of the Hotel Comodore; St. Louis, J. W. Withers; and letters of invitation came from Columbus, Ohio, and San Francisco, Calif. The result of the vote was: Chicago 277, Milwaukee 41, New York 71, St. Louis 58. Mr. Withers, of St. Louis, moved that the decision be made unanimous for Chicago. EVENING SESSION-THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1918 The following program was presented: Address by Dan V. Stephens, congressman from Nebraska, Washington, D.C. Mr. Stephens drew a series of vivid, thrilling pictures from the battle fronts of France, England, and Belgium, narrating scenes thru which he had past as a member of a Congressional committee to study war conditions at the front. Address, "A Message from France," by John Huston Finley, president of the University of the State of New York, Albany, N.Y. Mrs. Cora Wilson Stewart, chairman, National Illiteracy Committee, Frankfort, Ky., appeared on the program and spoke on Americanization. The following resolution was offered by John F. Keating, superintendent of schools, Pueblo, Colo., representing superintendents of smaller cities, and was unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, Our country is now engaged in a world-war upon the outcome of which depends the perpetuity of democratic ideals and the liberty of our nation; and WHEREAS, We recognize the heavy burdens and responsibilities resting upon him, who for the time being is the concrete embodiment of our country's aims and ideals; be it Resolved, That the Department of Superintendence of the National Education Association here assembled indorse the war aims and the altruistic motives of the United States as exprest by President Woodrow Wilson, and that we in full confidence and faith pledge him our hearty and loyal support in prosecuting this war to a decisive and complete victory, and to a full realization of the lofty democratic ideals which he has so clearly and eloquently presented to the world; and be it further Resolved, That the president of this department transmit this resolution to President Wilson. FOURTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS MORNING SESSION-FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1918 The following program was presented under the general topic "National Responsibility for the Education of the Colored People": a) "The Status of Negro Education"-Kelly Miller, dean of Howard University, Washington, D.C. b) The Nation's Responsibility to the South for Negro Education”—W. T. B. Williams, field agent for the Jeanes Fund and the Slater Fund, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va. c) "The Nation's Responsibility to Itself for Negro Education and Its Constitutional Power to Render Aid Thereto"-Isaac Fisher, University Editor, Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn. Discussion-James H. Dillard, president, Jeanes Foundation, Charlottesville, Va. The following motion, which was carried unanimously, was offered by Mr. Mead of Ohio: Resolved, That the Department of Superintendence of the National Education Association urge the federal government to grant financial aid to negro elementary education based upon some plan which is equitable and which will stimulate greater support for negro education among the state receiving such aid. The report of the Committee on War Savings, appointed by the president of the Department of Superintendence to cooperate with the government at the beginning of the National War Savings campaign in December, was made by John Huston Finley, chairman. The following motion was made by Professor Hanus, of Harvard University, and was carried: Resolved, That the action of the Department of Superintendence in appointing a committee to cooperate with the National War Savings Committee be approved, the report accepted, and the work of the Committee continued. AFTERNOON SESSION-FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1918 The following program was presented: "Standardization of Schoolhouse Planning and Construction"-Frank Irving Cooper, architect, Boston, Mass. "Relation of Home Economics to the War Movement"-Sarah Louise Arnold, dean of Simmons College, Boston, Mass. "Work and Scope of the Junior Red Cross"-Henry Noble MacCracken, president of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 66 'Scouting Education for Girls"-Abby Porter Leland, director, National Girl Scouts, New York, N.Y. "Victory thru Thrift"-George M. LaMonte, member, War Service Executive Committee for New Jersey, Bound Brook, N.J. Mr. Rost, of the Navy League, spoke for five minutes on the work of that organization. A. CONFERENCE OF STATE SUPERINTENDENTS TUESDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 26, 1918 The Conference of State Superintendents met in the English Room, Dennis Hotel, at 2:30 p.m., J. B. Pearson, superintendent of schools, Columbus, Ohio, presiding. The following program was presented: "The New Responsibilities and Opportunities Which the War Situation Has Brought to the State Department and the Schools"-Fred L. Keeler, state superintendent of public instruction, Lansing, Mich. Discussion A. N. Farmer, superintendent of schools, Evanston, Ill. "How Shall We Conduct the War Savings Campaign so as to Cause It to Attain Its Maximum Effectiveness?"-M. P. Shawkey, state superintendent of free schools, Charleston, W.Va. Discussion-R. B. Teitrick, deputy state superintendent of public instruction, Harrisburg, Pa. B. CONFERENCE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS MONDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 25, 1918 The Conference of County Superintendents met in the English Room, Dennis Hotel, at 2:30 p.m., Lawton B. Evans, superintendent of schools, Augusta, Ga., presiding. The following program was presented: "The County Superintendency and Its Problem"-P. C. Fair, principal of city schools, Mansfield, La. General Discussion. "Consolidation of Rural Schools"-C. H. Bruce, county superintendent of schools, Macon, Ga. General Discussion. "Standardizing the Small Country School"-J. H. Binford, second assistant superintendent of schools, Richmond, Va. General Discussion. "The County as a Unit of Organization"-M. S. H. Unger, superintendent of schools, Westminster, Md. General Discussion. |