THE CH EM AW A AMERICAN
3
tically nothing from real contact with our best schools. Our Agricul
tural and Mechanical Colleges would be a splended field for this work.
In their plan of work the large sums of money available and most of it
comes from the national treasury and is to be spent for extension work
make it exceedingy desirable that a much closer relation be had with
these colleges. Teachers coming from these schools are far more desir
able, especially for vocational subjects, than those obtained through the
Civil Service under present regulations. Teachers for Porto Rico, the
Canal Zone, and until recently the Philippines, are employed under
different regulations and are far superior to our teachers in the Indian
Service. Our Civil Service toard, in so far as the Indian schools are
concerned, in our opinion, very much needs to get in touch with the
schools that are preparing teachers. This is not intended as an attack
on the Civil Service methods, as a whole, but rather to bring out the
thought that there is need of more effectual co-operation between our
leading schools and the Indian schools. These schools ought to be
brought into direct contact and sympathy with our work. We have
far too many misfits from anywhere and left-overs from nowhere.
It has sometimes occurred to us that some system of co-operation
with the summer sessions of a few . strong colleges and normal schools
might be adopted that would greatly aid the cause. At these places some
strong Indian workers could offer instruction which would be effectively
co-ordinated with some of the regular work of the institution. Persons
taking these subjects and successfully passing an examinacion might
receive some form of credit that would stimulate teachers already in the
service and encourage qualified co-workers in these schools to enter.
The enthusiasm, desire for growth and for research, so characteristic
and so marked a feature of the educational work existing outside of the
.service needs to become a characteristic of the Indian educational work.
3. Absence for study. Vocational or other teachers now in the
service, might be excused for a period of not to exceed three months on
full pay under proper regulations. The pay should be given on a pro
rata basis on his return; provided the progress made, credits received
and subjects studied were endorsed by the Commissioner or Supervisor
of Education. Such an one would study in line with the requirements
of his school, return with additional knowledge and enthusiasm and
prove far more interesting and profitable in his work. The most suc
cessful employees are the ones fresh from contact with the foremost
workers. We believe thoroughly in correspondence school work, but
nothing can make the place of real active working contact with the men
and women who are masters, of their special lines. . Strong non-residence
work is excellent, but thorough study, even if brief, in the best shops,
laboratories, or fields, in contact with and under the direction of recog-