IDAHO’S COORIDNATION SYSTEM
BEING EYED BY ALL STATES
Idaho Educational Commissioner Tells of Economical Administration.
Idaho’s educational system, an experiment in coordination of school methods, is attracting the attention of educators all over the United States, members of the Chamber of Commerce were told at their regular noon meeting yesterday by Dr. E. A. Bryan, educational commissioner of Idaho. Dr. Bryan is also president of the Inland Empire Teachers’ association.
The system provides for administration of all educational facilities of the state by a board of five, appointed by the governor. The system was originated in 1911, and since that time has been developing a thorough system of coordination, Dr. Bryan said.
“More economical administration of funds has resulted from the plan—Idaho’s per capita cost of education being $65, while Washington’s is nearly $75—and better results are attained in the schools themselves,” said Dr. Bryan.
“As one branch of the commission’s work, it has designated the normal schools as institutions for the training of prospective grade school teachers, while the development of the high school teacher has been left to the universities. The average high school graduate knows no more about arithmetic, geography and other fundamental educational topics than the eighth grade graduate, and the normal courses have been outlined with a view to bolstering up this knowledge to prepare teachers for its correct presentation to juveniles.
Free From Politics.
“The commission is free from internal politics, more than 600 appointive positions having been granted without any query ever being made as to political affiliations. The commission’s one weak point is that it is subject to attacks from outside, when its members or those administrating its work under the commissioner’s direction refuse to be dominated by political prejudice.”
Dr. Bryan commented that, like many other state legislatures, Idaho’s lawmakers were very reactionary during the recent session. The statement was not qualified by explanation, but it was assumed that Dr. Bryan referred to the action of the legislature in neglecting to make appropriation for the salaries in the office of the commissioner of education.
Homer J. Gault, engineer of the Columbia basin project, was introduced, and booster talks on the coming membership campaign were given several team captains.