LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

BUREAU OF EDUCATION,

Washington, June 1, 1917.

SIR: Despite the fact that normal schools which prepare teachers for elementary schools learned long ago that "a normal school without a practice school is like a swimming school without water," and that no effective professional training can be given without ample opportunity for observation of the ordinary processes of teaching and school organization and management, and for practice in teaching under expert direction and intelligent sympathetic criticism, few college and university classes, schools, and departments of education for the preparation of teachers for high schools and of superintendents, supervisors, principals, and special teachers made at first any provision for such observation and practice. Their experience has, however, finally taught them that high-school teachers, superintendents, supervisors, principals, and teachers of special subjects need opportunity for observation and practice during the period of their professional preparation no less than do those who are preparing to teach in the elementary schools, and, one after another, colleges and universities with classes, schools, or departments of education have established some kind of practice or observation school for the use of their students or have made other arrangements for them to do work of this kind. That information in regard to the organization, maintenance, and use of these schools and in regard to results obtained so far may be available, I recommend that the manuscript transmitted herewith on practice teaching for teachers in secondary schools be published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Education. This manuscript was prepared by Mr. A. R. Mead, of Ohio Wesleyan University, as a result of an extensive study of this subject, and has been revised for the use of this bureau at my request. Respectfully submitted.

P. P. CLAXTON, Commissioner.

The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

5

PRACTICE TEACHING FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.1

REPORT OF A STUDY OF INSTITUTIONS WITH TEACHERTRAINING DEPARTMENTS.

By A. R. MEAD.

During the year 1914-15, a questionnaire was sent to all heads of departments of education and deans of schools and colleges of education listed in the directory of the United States Bureau of Education. The questions asked were as follows:

1. For practice teaching for prospective secondary teachers, do you use your own high school, or a public high school not under your control?

2. How many prospective secondary teachers actually do practice teaching? 3. How much teaching does each person do?

4. How are these persons selected?

5. Who actually supervises the practice teaching?

6. If you utilize a public high school, what does the privilege cost, and upon what is the cost based?

7. How do you administer practice teaching when the subject concerned is a laboratory science?

8. Please give any suggestions you desire regarding what you consider the best general organization and administration of this type of professional training.

The classification of the returns was made upon about the same basis as that used by Prof. C. H. Johnston for the Society of College Teachers of Education (see Year Book for 1914, p. 8). In the State university group, 30 replies were received; from the second group, large non-State universities, 13 replies were received, if Cornell be included; from the third group there were 133 replies; and from the State agricultural colleges there were 6. This makes the total of replies 182. In addition, a few letters from individuals not representing any institution were received. The total number of institutions to which questionnaires were sent was 295. Slightly less than 65 per cent of the institutions replied.

Of the first group, the following institutions made no provision for student teaching for prospective secondary teachers: Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia; total, 10, or 33 per cent of the State universities. Of this group which do not make such provisions, the following are planning to establish such work: Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia. It is probable that others are plan

1 Much of the material in this bulletin was gathered by the committee on practice teaching of the Society of College Teachers of Education. The studies of Mead, Chambers, Childs, and Gray are from reports of this committee; likewise most of the descriptions of systems utilized by different institutions. The bibliography was compiled by Dr. Romiett Stevens and the chairman of the committee.

ning such work, but their replies do not reveal the fact. Then it appears that 66.6 per cent of the State universities reporting are actually giving this work, and 83.3 per cent are either giving or planning to give it.

STATE UNIVERSITIES.

Student teaching for prospective secondary teachers.

HOW THE STUDENT TEACHER IS SELECTED AT STATE UNIVERSITIES.

Arkansas.-Persons who major in school of education teach the subject they desire to specialize in.

California.-Furnish teaching for all “cadets."

Georgia.-Persons detailed from class.

Idaho.-Seniors given first choice; those with most preparation given preference. Iowa.-Seniors in university. Selected by methods teachers.

Kansas.-Seniors or graduates who are candidates for State teacher's certificates. Usually have a special methods course.

Maine.-One semester of education is a prerequisite. Recommended by major instructor and approved by dean of department of education.

Minnesota.-On basis of university major.

Missouri.-By the superintendent of the university schools.

Montana.-Preliminary work in education and in major subject as basis.

Nevada.-Those taking "Education 3, Theory and Practice."

North Dakota.-Seniors in school of education.

Ohio State. Required of all seniors in college of education.

Oregon.-Dean of school of education, head of collegiate department, and principal of high school cooperate to make selection.

Texas.-Required of all who desire the teacher's diploma.

Utah.-Seniors meeting requirements for high-school diploma.

Washington.-Students elect work subject to approval of instructor in charge.