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Rural Schools. Ohio is the second state to secure the plates of this exceedingly valuable report and the members of the Association fully appreciated the prompt action of the Commissioner, the kindness of the Public Printer, and the courtesy of the Superintendent of the Bindery in stopping other work, which made it possible for them to secure this report so soon after its publication.

The advance sheets of the Commissioner's annual report in which he discusses fully the rural school question were also on hand for distribution. Commissioner-elect, Superintendent L. D. Bonebrake dropped in during the afternoon session and being introduced by the president assured the members of his interest in their work and his desire to help solve the Rural School Problem. He suggested a union of several townships, giving the supervisor from thirty to fifty schools as a possible solution of the question of supervision. This suggestion is in direct accord with the recommendation of Commissioner Corson in his last report.

The Association is especially fortunate in having so many warm friends among the City Superintendents and High School Men of the State. A great many of them were present at different times during the session and upon invitation participated in the discussions.

The evening session was occupied in the consideration of such

questions as; What do you do when you visit a school? What is the new geography? The School Library, and other live topics.

After spending some time in the renewal of acquaintance and social intercourse the Association adjourned to meet at Put-in-Bay with the State Association.

STATE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL EX

AMINERS.

RY R. W. MITCHELL.

The State Association of School Examiners held one of the most spirited meetings since its organization in the Assembly Hall of the Library Building Library Building in Columbus, There were

December 29 and 30. present about sixty-five school examiners.

In the absence of Pres. J. C. Hartzler, Prin. I. M. Jordan was elected to preside and Supt. R. W. Mitchell as secretary pro tem.

During the first day the discussions were very interesting, bringing out many suggestions of the best methods of examining applicants for certificates.

The consensus of opinion was that in the examination of young and inexperienced applicants as much oral work in theory and methods of teaching should be used as possible. That teachers of experience who are falling below the standard at present should be allowed to drop out of the profession.

That County Examiners should use the State Reading Course as the

basis of examinations in Theory and Practice and Literature. That the Examiners should exert every influence in their power to encourage the teachers to belong to the Teachers' Reading Circles and read the whole Course. Prof. Pearson gave a short talk on the subject, "Institute Work" and gave an account of work being done in Geography by the "Committee on Geography" appointed by the Commissioner of Schools. Mr. Galbreath, State Librarian, then gave an account of the workings of the State Circulating Library. Any organization or school can secure the loan of books in lots of twentyfive by paying the express charges both ways. After the discussion of some of the topics committees were selected to draft resolutions and report the same to the Association for adoption.

The discussion On "Issuing Primary Certificates" brought out the expression from all that they should be given only to teachers of recognized ability to do special primary work.

The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That we recommend that the law be so amended that applicants for special certificates shall be required to be examined in Theory and Practice of Teaching.

After a lengthy discussion on the number of examinations, the matter was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. J. A. Wil

cox, S. P. Humphrey and C. S. Fay. Mr. Wilcox reported the following resolutions:

WHEREAS, we find after a careful trial, that the number of examinations-ten held in one year, as allowed by law-is insufficient in some of the counties for the examiners to do justice to the applicants, owing to the crowded condition of the classes; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the number of examinations be limited in such counties as have had from 500 to 700 applications in the preceding year, to 12; over 700 applications, to 15.

Resolved, That the examiners be allowed mileage at the rate of 5 cents per mile to and from the place of the meetings of the board by the most practicable route.

Some of the members were inclined to regard the amount allowed for mileage as too low, but after an extended discussion the resolutions were adopted. An effort will be made to induce the general assembly to embody them into law at the coming session.

A resolution of three years ago, urging abstinence on the part of teachers from the use of tobacco was referred to before the meeting adjourned.

The Committee on Nominations reported as follows:

For President, S. P. Humphreys, Ironton; Vice President, E. Burgess, Lancaster; Secretary, J. B. Tavlor, Granville; Ex. Com. D. C. Meck, Mansfield; Horace Stokes,

Delaware, G. W. Brumbaugh, Day- Reynolds, Camden; W. H. Rich

ton.

The report was unanimously adopted. The Association adjourned sine die.

STATE EXAMINATION.

At the state examination of teachers held in Columbus, December 28, 29 and 30, 1897, 74 applicants were registered and 41 certificates were granted, of which

number 14 were high school life, 26 common school life and one special life in music. The following are the successful applicants:

High school life-E. R. Booth, Cincinnati; J. E. Collins, West Union; A. M. Farlow, Barlow; Watson H. Gregg, Quaker City; George B. Haggett, Louisville; James Ross, Carysville; D. C. Rybolt, Galion; J. F. Smith, Findlay; W. O. Smith, Arcanum; O. M. Soule, Seven Mile; Ira W. Stahl, Rockford; Nettie M. Alderman, Ironton; Nettie Anderson, Winton Place; Mary B. Furness, Walnut Hills.

Common school life-Charles A. Arganbright, Lafayette; Sheldon F. Ball, Toledo; B. O. Bristline, Bradner; Edwin M. Craig, New Vienna; James A. Frazier, Asbury; A. C. Fries, Grove City; C. E. Githens, Wellsburg; D. F. Grier, Courtland; Henry A. Hartman, Van Wert; F. L. Lytle, Copley; J. C. Little, Waynesville; G. E. Miller, Linton Mills; I. L. Mitchell, Cleveland; W. M. Plum, Ashville; J. W.

ardson, Holgate; Alfred Ross, Moors Hill, Indiana; J. E. Scama

horn, Brilliant; J. L. Selby, Greenville; A. L. Sigrist, Dundee; T. M. Taylor, Dunlap; Elmer T. Trott, Byesville; John I. Ward, Toledo; W. G. Wolfe, Quaker City; W. W. Young, St. Marys; May Trumper, Bryan.

Special life, music-Arnold J. Gantvoort, Cincinnati.

Examinations for 1898 will be held June 21, 22 and 23 and December 27, 28 and 29.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, J. D. Simkins, St. Marys; clerk, C. W. Bennett, Piqua; treasurer, W. W. Boyd, Marietta; additional members of the board, Charles Haupert, Wooster, and J. P. Sharkey, Eaton.

FIELD NOTES.

The Bellevue Public Schools are in a very flourishing condition, the High School attendance having reached one hundred and ten. The Principal of the High School is H. C. Bates who has three assistants. Supt. Warner is to be congratulated on the good work he has accomplished.

The next meeting of the TriCounty Teachers' Association which embraces Ashland, Medina and Wayne counties will be held at Orrville January 28 and 29. Supt. J. B. Mohler of Orrville is making

preparations for a large and enthusiastic meeting.

The Fremont High School, Will D. Ross, Principal, has an enrollment of two hundred and fifteen pupils and a senior class of thirtysix.

The Stark County Teachers' Institute held its annual fall session at Louisville December 26 and 27. The instructors were Mr. J. A. Leonard and Miss Lelia Patridge. Our correspondent writes that "it is generally conceded that this was the best short session of the institute ever held in the county."

- Supt. E. D. Lyon of Mansfield and his corps of teachers are enthusiastic in their Reading Circle work. The city circle enrolls fiftysix members and a carefully prepared program for the year has been printed. The O. T. R. C. is surely growing in importance and value to the teachers of Ohio each year.

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Salem dedicated two school buildings in November. The High School in that city enrolls. one hundred and thirty-six pupils. W. H. Maurer is Principal.

John E. Nelson, formerly of Ohio, but now superintendent at Marengo, Illinois, is succeeding admirably in his work in that town. He has a corps of ten teachers with one hundred in the High School.

-We are under obligations to Supt. F. J. Roller of Niles for a copy of the Annual Report of the

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-The Guernsey County Teachers' Institute was held at Cambridge the week beginning December 27. The instructors were Dr. J. P. Gordy of the Ohio State University, and Supt. J. C. Hartzler of Newark. Since Supt. Arthur Powell took charge of the Marion schools eight years ago the High School has increased from eighty-seven to two hundred and twenty-one, and the grades below the High School from twelve hundred and sixtyseven to nineteen hundred and sixty. A comparison of the increase in the High School with that below the High School is very suggestive. On account of the large increase in the High School this year an additional teacher has been employed. It is to the credit of the teachers of Marion that twenty-three of their number are reading the O. T. R. C. Course, and that several others are taking the University Extension Course in history.

The editor had a pleasant visit to Cuyahoga county December 10 and 11. On the first named date it was his privilege to take part in the dedicatory exercises of the new public school building at Glenville. The schools in this rapidly growing suburb are in a very flourishing condition and exceptional satisfaction with the work of Supt. Cully was expressed by every one.

On the morning of December 11 a visit was made to the Western Reserve University which is developing at a very rapid rate under the presidency of Dr. Thwing. On the afternoon of the same day a talk was made to the Cuyahoga Teachers' Association which was largely attended by the superintendents and teachers of the county.

Supt. C. W. Bennett of Piqua

is a member of the Council of Administration of the G. A. R. of Ohio. The editor does not know his military title but presumes that "Colonel" is not entirely out of place.

Supt. F. S. Coultrap of Nelsonville, C. L. Boyer of Logan, E. S. Monce of Haydenville and C. L. Martzolff of Buchtel, and their teachers, numbering fifty in all, spent Friday, December 17, in visiting the Columbus city schools.

The Darke County Teachers' Association is one of the largest in the State. The meeting held at

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The importance of good instruction in reading can scarcely be overestimated; the ability to read is the key to all recorded knowledge. The aims in teaching this subject, which the teacher should constantly keep in mind, are to enable children (1) to read understandingly, fluently and intelligibly; (2) to to gain thought from the printed page; (3) to distinguish good from bad reading; and (4) to form a taste for literature and the habit of reading good books. The attitude of the teacher is all important; if she enters into the instruction enthusiastically the pupils will be inspired by her enthusiasm; every effort should be made to make the reading lesson interesting.

-The Society of Psychological and Pedagogical Inquiry have selected the following subjects for special investigation for 1897-8.

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