pass an examination shall be certified by any means. We say that the local officer may withhold certificates from any candidate, no matter whether he passes the examination or not, and without giving any reason. We only say that he shall not issue a certificate unless the candidate attends upon a prescribed course of professional instruction or passes the prescribed examination. In the next world we may be able to accomplish ends without means, but we cannot in this world. We would talk more underOur institutes are agencies Something has been said about institutes. standingly if we first defined the term. for keeping teachers abreast of the times. That is about all that can be expected of a meeting which continues only a week or two. Such a meeting will go far to do that, if it is properly organized and managed. But it must be a school,-not a picnic. All must attend and attend regularly. This cannot be expected unless attendance is both compulsory and compensated. The work done must be substantial and inviting and progressive. We will continue to talk about innumerable things, but nothing can be of such supreme importance as the institution of efficient agencies for promoting the professional training of teachers and for preventing the certification of such as are not so trained. OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENCE 4 OF THE National Educational Association AT ITS MEETING IN BROOKLYN, N. Y. FEBRUARY 16, 17, 18, 1892 NEW YORK PRESS OF J. J. LITTLE & CO. 10 TO 20 ASTOR PLACE 1892 SECRETARY'S MINUTES CONTENTS. PAGE 3-12 THE RURAL SCHOOL PROBLEM. By Hon. Henry Raab Discussion-0. E. Wells, 20; John MacDonald, 24; Supt. Prettyman, 25; C. C. Rounds, 25; Andrew S. Draper, 27; George H. Martin, 27; L. R. Klemm, H. Peabody, Chief, Department of Liberal Arts Discussion-Dr. Harris, Supt. Seaver, Supt. Tarbell, and Supt. Greenwood, 41. HISTORY AND LITERATURE IN GRAMMAR GRADES. By Supt. J. H. Phillips SHORTENING AND ENRICHING THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL COURSE. By President Charles Discussion-Edward Brooks, 76; John T. Prince, 83; Eugene Bouton, 83 ; Andrew S. Draper, 84; President Seth T. Low, 84; President Eliot, 85. WHAT SHALL THE STATE DO TOWARD THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN BELOW THE SCHOOL AGE, BETWEEN THE AGES OF THREE AND SIX? By Frank A. Discussion-Aaron Gove, 96; Edwin P. Seaver, 98; Miss Elizabeth Harrison, 100; James L. Hughes, 104; Supt. Powell, 106; W. H. Maxwell, 106; Wm. N. Hailmann, 107 ; Andrew S. Draper, 108 ; Com. W. T. Harris, 109 ; Supt. 68 86 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO BRING PUPILS FURTHER ON IN THEIR STUDIES BEFORE THEY LEAVE SCHOOL TO GO TO WORK? By Charles W. Hill. Discussion-J. H. Shinn, 130; James H. Blodgett, 134; E. O. Vaile, 139. INFLUENCE OF MANUAL TRAINING ON HABITS OF THOUGHT. By John E. Bradley. 141 MANUAL TRAINING BETWEEN THE EMPLOYMENTS OF THE KINDERGARTEN AND THOSE OF THE TOOL LABORATORIES OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. By W. P. Powell. 150 Discussion of papers of Bradley and Powell-W. E. Sheldon, 160; W. N. Hail- mann, 160; E. E. White, 161; A. P. Marble, 161; Mr. Powell and Mr. |