Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 218]

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PROCEEDINGS BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

219

tion. I t is thought such a school would be nearly or quite self-sustaining when once founded. There are now 12 students in the pharmacy -classes, and there is demanded increased facilities for these, whether or not the distinct school be established. This last matter was presented to you and to your committee on buildings and grounds, last year, and the proposition was made to fit up rooms in the attic story of the chemical laboratory, but through some misunderstanding the work was not undertaken. I t is estimated t h a t $700 will provide the fixtures and equipment sufficient to acommodate 50 students, use being made of the facilities of the laboratories otherwise, as far as possible. In case such a school is established, one man (Mr. Sandford) should give his whole time to it, and this will necessitate some further assistance in the chemical laboratories, though much will depend upon the number of applicants for the course.

MODEL SCHOOL.

In regard to a training school for the course in pedagogics, it is undoubtedly true t h a t such opportunities as this would give for the investigation of practical problems, for the practical application of theory, and for the actual experience by pupil teachers, are in every way desirable. The training school suggested would be the laboratory of the department, and in this relation is considered equal in importance to the laboratories -of other sciences, essential alike to the professor and students as investigators, and to the latter as learners. The professor now in charge of the department thinks there should be in such a training school about 40 pupils from 6 to 10 years of age, in two general divisions of 20 each, each division to have its own room and permanent teacher, the latter especially selected for the work in hand. One thousand two hundred dollars a year is suggested as pay for these two teachers, (women), L e., $600 -each. Practically the only further expenditure would be for the room furniture, perhaps $300. I t is not deemed feasible to charge tuition, therefore there would be no income. Without tuition, pupils of a desirable kind can undoubtedly be had, and more especially just now, since the school acommodations in the western part of Urbana are not up to the needs. At the meeting of the State Teachers' Association last December much interest was privately and publicly expressed in the steps so far taken by the University in this direction, and the president of the State Normal University voiced the evident, prevailing sentiment by advocating t h e development here of a true college of pedagogics. I am glad to commend in all heartiness well-considered efforts towards this desirable attainment. The conditions are ripe for it now. I believe a movement in this direction would be not only popular, but exceedingly useful to the best educational interests of our great state—a worthy mission of the University of Illinois.

EXAMINATION OF ACCREDITED SCHOOLS.

Another matter in connection with the chair of pedagogics demands a word here. When the professor was engaged it was hoped he might largely help to solve another problem which has long engaged attention; namely, the visitation of high schools for our accredited list. This work lias grown greatly in recent years, both in amount and in its usefulness to the University. The field is now a very fertile one and should be well cultivated. The number of accredited schools, as published in our last five catalogues, are as follows : 1888-89 53 1889-90 M 1890-91 60 1891-92 87 1892-93 113 During the early years of this period the regent undertook all of the examinations; then various members of the faculty were called upon for