Recommendations Voted at the Third Biennial Session of the Central Union Conference
Plans for the Educational Work
RECOMMENDATION 1 — NORMAL TRAINING AND MODEL CHURCH-SCHOOL
“Whereas, There is need of many more well-equipped church-schools, as shown by the fact that fifty more schools might have been started the past year in the Central Union Conference if suitable teachers could have been found, therefore,— “Resolved, That we commend the efforts of the college in establishing a normal training department, and we recommend the board of managers of these two schools to unite upon a basis, just and equitable to both, in maintaining a thoroughly equipped church-school that shall serve as a model in the training of teachers for the Central Union Conference and the world; and upon the adoption of this recommendation by the Central Union Conference, we recommend the appointment of a committee of five to prepare a definite plan for such union, to be submitted to the respective Boards of these two institutions. RECOMMENDATION 2 — PERMANENT SUMMER SCHOOL
“Resolved, (1) That we approve the plans presented to this conference by the faculty of Union College for the establishment of a permanent summer school under the joint management of the college and the educational department of the union conference, and we recommend the officers of the college and of the conference to unite in speedily completing the details of the plan, that announcements may soon be issued for the next summer’s session; (2) that we recommend the State conferences to send their teachers to this summer school as far as practicable, and also to hold shorter conference institutes in the interests of their local work. RECOMMENDATION 3 — MANAGEMENT OF INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS
“Whereas, Our intermediate schools, struggling with local influences and prejudices, are unable to do the most efficient work, therefore,— “Resolved, That these schools be organized and managed by a Board consisting of three local members, the conference president, and the church-school superintendent. RECOMMENDATION 4 — INDUSTRIAL TRAINING
“In view of the great educational and moral value of manual and industrial training, as advocated and practised by the most eminent modern educators, and as revealed to this people through the spirit of prophecy thirty-five years ago, and continually kept before us from that time until the present, be it therefore,— “Resolved, (1) That we deplore our slowness in carrying out this instruction, and urge our teachers to prepare themselves to teach these subjects, and exhort parents and school boards to encourage their efforts by providing facilities for executing these plans; (2) that our State conferences support their superintendents in preparing themselves to give instruction in manual training to their teachers; (3) that we approve and commend the board of trustees of Union College for introducing manual training into the normal department, and we urge them to enlarge the operations of the college in gardening and fruit raising, and to provide a building and facilities for the industries that were deprived of a place of operation by the recent fire; (4) that we pledge to the Board the moral and financial support of the union conference in carrying out these most important plans. RECOMMENDATION 5 — READING CIRCLE WORK
“Resolved, That as far as possible uniform plans for teachers’ Reading Circle work be adopted in the Central Union Conference, that the Central Union Conference Educational Secretary and the conference superintendents constitute a committee to select books and prepare the work, and that Reading Circle work be added to the list of subjects for teachers’ examinations. RECOMMENDATION 6 — TEACHERS’ EXAMINATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
“Concerning the examination of teachers and granting of certificates, we would recommend the following:— “(1) That uniform examinations for teachers’ certificates be prepared and issued yearly or oftener by the educational secretary of the Central Union Conference in consultation and co-operation with the State conference superintendents; (2) that three grades of certificates and a special permit be provided; namely, First Grade, good for three years; Second Grade, good for two years; Third Grade, good for one year; Special Permit, to meet emergencies; the standard of each and the form of certificate to be determined by joint action of the union conference educational secretary and the conference superintendents; and the special permit to be granted by the respective conference superintendents; (3) that the times for holding the teachers’ examinations in each conference be determined by the union conference and the conference superintendent; (4) that teachers’ certificates be signed by the educational secretary of the union conference and the president and superintendent of the local conference; (5) that the manner of holding teachers’ examinations be left to the educational secretary of the union conference and the conference superintendents. RECOMMENDATION 7 — CHURCH-SCHOOL DIPLOMAS
“We recommend, (1) That the Central Union Conference Examining Board prepare the examination questions for the pupils completing any branch of study in church and intermediate schools; and that they issue appropriate grade cards for such branches of study; (2) that the Central Union Conference issue church-school diplomas to all who satisfactorily complete the work of eight grades in the church-school, such diplomas to be signed by the educational secretary of the Central Union Conference, the superintendent of the State conference, and the teacher of the local school; (3) that the time of holding the above-mentioned examinations shall be arranged between the conference superintendent and the local teachers; (4) that before the appointed time of examination, the conference superintendent shall send to the chairman of each school board desiring to hold an examination, sealed questions, to be opened by the chairman or his substitute and the teacher in the presence of the candidates when the examination is ready to begin; and that the questions shall be answered by the candidates in the presence of the examining board, without communication and without assistance or explanation from any source; (5) that the papers of the students shall be sent to the conference superintendent, who shall choose such assistants as he may need, shall examine the papers, and shall determine who are entitled to certificates; (6) that the superintendent keep permanent records of the result of these examinations in every subject. RECOMMENDATION 8 — EDUCATIONAL LEAFLETS
“Whereas, A number of requests have already been received for copies of papers read before the Union Conference Educational Convention, and,— “Whereas, Many of our people scattered throughout our conference desire to keep in touch with the advance moves made in our educational work, therefore,— “Resolved, That the Central Union Conference Educational Secretary arrange for the printing in tract form of such educational papers as in his judgment will meet these demands. RECOMMENDATION 9 — SECOND TITHE
“Resolved, That we recommend to our conference and church officers and to our church people everywhere, the favorable consideration of the adoption of the second tithe for the support of our church-schools, and other lines of home missionary work.”