Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-12-14
REPORT ON THE DISTRIBUTION
OF'TH INTEREST OF THE
SCHOOL FUND.

To the House of Representatives no,0 in session:
Your committee on Education, to whom was re-
ferred so much of the Governors Message as re-
lates to common schools, and also resolution in
structing them to inquire into the eXpediency Of a.
DOPING some means of guarding more effectually
against imposition from incompetent teachers of
common schools, having had the same under con-
sideration, beg leave to report
The message of the Governor refers us to his an
nual communication at the last session of the leg
islature, in which he holds the following language
"The want of sufficient number of competent and
swell instructed teachers, is great obstacle to the
"prosperity and usefulness of our common schools,
sand it may well be asked if the legislature as
"guardians of the public welfare, not bound to
"adopt immediate measures to supply this deticien-
"cy."
Your committee are of opinion that our common
schools are suffering to very great extent from
the Incompetence of teachers; but this is not the
only evil under which they labor lit is in fact but
the necessary result of another, which, though per-
haps not equally manifest, is, nevertheless, suticl-
emily evident. We refer to the want of sufficient
number Of High Schools and Academies for the ed
ucation of teachers and the accommodation of the
great of the scholars in the state. We believe
these institutions are necessary, not only to supply
teachers for the primary schools, but also to hold
up higher standard of excellence and attainment
and present TO the pupils the prospect of farther ad
vancement when they shall have accomplished al
that these schools capable of atordlng. Edu
cation, to be successful, must be progressive ant
facilities and inducements must be constantly furn
shed to further and higher attainments to secure
the improvement of those advantages Immediately
in possession. High Schools and Academies form
connecting link between the common schools ant
colleges, and an essential and indispensable por
ton of our system of education. Without them on
common schools cannot be rendered efficient, an,
the evils so much deplored of incompetency in tea
cheers cannot be removed, nor can the students @
colleges be prepared to enjoy the benefits G
these institutions. Your committee, therefore, be
lcve that sound policy would dictate that thes
institutions should be fostered and multiplied unit
their advantages can be enjoyed by the poorest a
well as the most opulent; and until teachers can
supplied IN such number and of such qualification
as the wants OF the primary schools demand. Witt
out this we believe that the common schools car
not be brought up to a much higher point of usefu
ness, than they have already attained Indeed
seems to be conceded on all hands, at least by a
whose opinions on this subject are entitled to conf
dence, that the only method, by which any of Il
evils to which our common schools are now subeC
and by which healthful and permanent stimuli
can be impaired to them, is through the medu
Of that class of institutions Of which we have spo
en-. We regard them, therefore, as the lever
which these schools are to be elevated to that
gree of usefulness which is desired, and which W
answer the end of their establishment
These institutions are now languishng, both
want of funds, and also for want of that favoral
consideration from the community which their i
portance demands. We believe, therefore, that
should fail in our duty to the subject committed
rs, that we should fail to suggest any adequate re