At 3:45 P. M. Convention again proceeded to labor.` The discussion on the various duties, as set forth by Mr. Oleott in his paper, continued until 4:00 P. M. The chair announced that the hour appointed for special reports of committees was at hand, and enquired if such committees were ready. The special committees on "School Membership," made the following report through the chairman, J. M. Olcott. To the President and Members of the Convention. We, the committee, reccommend the adoption of the "Chicago Rules," which are as follows: 1. "Whenever a teacher has satisfactory evidence that a pupil has left school without the intention of returning, such pupil's name shall forthwith be struck from the roll; but any absences recorded against the name of the pupil before the teacher receives this notice shall be allowed to remain, and in making up the attendance averages, such absences shall be regarded the same as any other absences. 2. When a pupil is suspended from school by any of the rules of the School Board, whether for absence or for any other cause, his name shall be stricken from the roll. 3. When a pupil is absent from school more than five consecutive school days, for sickness or for any other cause, his name shall be stricken from the roll at the end of the five days, and the absences shall in all cases be recorded while the name remains on the roll; but this rule shall not operate to prevent the suspension of a pupil, under rule second, for a less number of absences, in which case his name will, of course, be dropped from the roll. 4. For the purposes contemplated in the foregoing rules, any pupil shall be considered as absent whose attendance at school shall not continue for at least one-half of the regular school session of the half day." Quite a spirited debate occurred on the motion to adopt the report. Mr. Shortridge wanted the "Chicago Rules" adopted without alteration, and insisted that they were to be construed rigidly as the language of the rules indicated. Mr. Adams said the Chicago School Board had construed the law in such a way, that if, on the first day of a pupil's absence, the teacher had any reasonable evidence that a pupil would be absent five days or more, his or her name was to be struck from the roll. Mr. McRea thought that was right; and cited the case where a child had the small pox, and held that that fact was evidence prima facie that such child could not be in attendance at school any five succeeding days thereafter, that is, after such knowledge came to the teacher, even if it were on the first day. Mr. Graham said it was his custom to mark from the time a pupil was absent for five consecutive days any such absences; but at the end of the five days his name was dropped, and such absences were obliterated. Mr. Hancock disliked very much to adopt a rule and then allow teachers full latitude to construe it at pleasure. He thought the Convention ought to define what should be the uniform construction of the "Chicago Rules;" once fixed by this body, it would remain so; and no party could show superior percentage of average attendance over any similar party. This would be simply an act of justice. Many gentlemen thought that no pupil's name should be dropped from the roll until the five days had expired. On motion of Mr. Ridpath the report of the Committee was adopted. Mr. A. C. Shortridge, Chairman of the Committee, to whom was referred the paper, "What shall the School Report contain?" presented the following: To the President and Members of the Convention : Your Committee to whom was referred the topics presented in the paper on City "School Reports, and the proper means of securing greater uniformity in the same," beg leave to say that they have had the subjects under consideration, and ask to be continued, with the understanding that their further deliberations shall be, in due time, reported to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in the hope that through his office, (aided by the proper blanks, the desired end may be secured. Your Committee would ask for such further instruction as the Convention may see proper to give. Respectfully, A. C. SHORTRIDGE, A. M. Gow, J. M. OLCOTT. Report was received, and Committee allowed further time to consider the subject, and report as above indicated. The Committee to whom was referred the topic on "School Records," reported through its chairman, Mr. H. S. McRae, as follows: To the President and Members of the Convention : We, the Committee, to whom was referred the subject of "School Records," beg leave to report : 1. It is in the highest degree essential that every teacher should keep an accurate and complete record of the Punctuality and Attendance of each pupil. 2. That the peculiar character and circumstances of each school should lead each Superintendent to determine what further items of record should be made. Respectfully, H. S. MCRAE, JOHN COOPER, Report adopted. J. C. RIDPATH. The following resolutions were presented and adopted without debate: By J. M. Olcott. Resolved, That for the purpose of discussing from time to time the various subjects connected with the management of city and town schools, and for the further purpose of discussing questions of a scientific and literary character, we make a permanent organization of School Superintendents [and Trustees] for the State, to meet annually; and that a Committee of five be appointed to draw up Articles of Association-the said Committee to report at an adjourned meeting, to be held during the week designated for the next annual meeting of the State Teachers' Association, and at the same place thereof. The day to be designated by the Committee. Messrs. Olcott, Shortridge, Graham, Adams, and Kimball were designated as the Committee by the chair. By John Cooper: Resolved, That the paper read by Mr. J. M. Olcott, on "Superintendency," be requested for publication in the INDIANA SCHOOL JOURNAL; also that the proceedings of this Convention be furnished to said journal for publication. Adopted by consent. The Chair here took occasion to express his feelings of satisfaction, at seeing so many Superintendents together from different parts of the State. He regarded this meeting as the harbinger of the growing interest which the leading educators take in school matters. He cordially thanked the members for their presence, and interest in this, the first Convention of Superintendents ever held in the State. He said this is the beginning of an end which is not yet. On motion, the Convention adjourned to meet at time and place to be designated by the Committee on Organization. GEO. W. HOSS, President. ANSON W. JONES, Secretary. Names and Address of Members of Superintendents' Convention. A. M. Gow, Evansville. D. ECKLEY HUNTER, Shelbyville. J. K. WALTZ, Attica. A. BURNS, Private School, Columbus. JOHN COOPER, Dublin. THOMAS CHARLES, City Academy. Indianapolis. J. C. RIDPATH, Lawrenceburg. L. H. MARSHALL, Adams. J. M. OLCOTT, Terre Haute. W. M. CRAIG, Madison. ANSON W. JONES, Vincennes. JOHN HANCOCK, Sup't Public Schools, Cincinnati. BLACK BOARDS. In answer to many inquiries we publish the recipe for black boards given last year: 1 gallon alcohol, cost $5. 1 pound gum shellac, $1. 2 ounces lamp black, or chrome green, 10 cts. 2 ounces ivory black, 10 cts. This is to be placed on a wall of smooth, hard plaster. For particulars concerning manner of mixing, putting on, &c., see July sumber of JOURNAL, 1867. EDITORIAL-MISCELLANY. AN EVIL AND A PARTIAL REMEDY. One of the serious evils in our Schools is the shortness of term of employment of teachers. Teachers in the rural districts are employed, on an average, four months out of twelve. The remainder of the time they are left to farm, to peddle, or to travel as book agents, insurance agents, &c.; whilst female teachers employ themselves in domestic labors, and otherwise, as their tastes and circumstances may determine. All of these employments are honorable and useful, and against which per se we bring no accusation, but being non-professional they do not in general qualify the teacher for his work; indeed they not unfrequently disqualify. The professions of law and medicine would be in a sorry condition if lawyers and physicians were to spend only four months each year in practice, and the remaining eight months in farming, speculation, or traveling agencies, &c. Under like circumstances, can teaching fare better? The best results in any calling can be secured only by uninterrupted work in that calling. There is a spirit in a calling, an esprit de corps, which dies when the work ceases. Enough has, however, been said concerning this evil; the remedy next demands attention. The first and most obvious remedy is a longer term of school. If schools were kept open throughout the year, (the academic year of ten months,) teachers would have constant employment, consequently would be in a position to do the best possible work. But ten months school per annum throughout the rural districts is neither practicable nor desirable at present; hence this first and more obvious remedy goes for nought. The second and partial remedy is as follows: So far as possible, have one teacher teach two schools; this is to be done by consent of the community and the Trustees. Let the school in district number one be opened September 14th, and closed January 16th or 31st, as funds may determine; and let district number two open on January 21st or February 4th, and close May 16th or 25th. In brief and general, let districts number one and two, or any two contiguous districts, form a continuous term of school for a time double that of |