H6 MONTANA 19U 



system, but just liere is where the g:reatest interest in recent years has 



been developed, and wliere the most widespread movement for progress 



is taking place. 



That Montana is fully sharing in thi<^ moven:ent is particularly shown 



by two striking facts. At the last session of the state legislature a law 



was enacted, without opposition, adding to the State Department of Public 



Instruction, a special inspector of rural schools, whose whole 



Keepmg time is given to personal visits to country schools, conferences 



Country wnth patrons and teachers, learning of their local needs, and 



Schools In acquainting them with the best things in rural education that 



-, j.^. are available. 



Condition. 



A man has been secured for this work who has been 

 engaged in educational enterprises in Montana for more than a dozen 

 years, and whose work has familiarized him with every quarter of the 

 state. He entered upon the new office in June, and a new impetus has 

 already been given to the work of the rural schools in the counties visited. 

 When the Montana State Bankers' Association met in annual conven- 

 tion in August, so impressed were they with the great importance of this 

 rural work, that they voted to take upon themselves for two years, until 



the next session of the legislature, the support of an addi- 

 Bankers tional rural inspector in order that a far greater number of 



Help Make rural districts may be brought quickly into touch with the 

 the Schools modern miovement. 

 Useful. Consequently a young woman who had several years 



of very successful experience as county superintendent of 

 schools in the largest county in ^lontana. if not indeed the largest in the 

 United States, has been engaged, and started upon the work the first of 

 November. 



One reason in particular for recognizing the importance of this new of- 

 fice is the fact that, at the general election in November, 1914, the voters of 

 Montana are to decide the question of a state tax levy which will be used 

 partly for the suppo^rt of elementary schools in districts not able of them- 

 selves to hold school for more than six months. It is of course essential 



to the best results that the expenditure of such money should be most 

 carefully supervised. 



The same legislature just mentioned also raised the minimum legal 

 requirement for teachers' certificates. Already, however, largely by reason 

 of the good salaries paid, Montana was demanding and getting teachers 

 of high character. Many a teacher with fine credentials has 

 Teachers come to Montana from the east expecting to drop readily into 

 Must Have 3- g'ood position, only to fail completely to pass the tests re- 

 High Quali- q^iired for teachers' certificates. 



fications, 5^ ^ygH known has the character of Montana teachers be- 



come that many of them find their way to the most responsible 

 positions in other parts of the country. A noticeable instance of this hap- 



— Montana's mines alone would make a ivealthy state. 



