The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-08
Common 8 chools in view York.

The Annual Report Of the Superintendent OF
Common Schools of this State, made to the Lee
gsaure, January 18th, 1874, Is an interesting do
cument to all who value properly the importance
OF education, 1t is gratifying to observe the great
extent to which the means OF instruction are used
by the people. The total number of children resi-
ding in the districts from which reports were recei.
we'd, amounted to GOT ,995, exclusive Of the city OF
Newly DIRK out ofwhich there have been in attend
ance in the several district Schools for longer or
shorter period. during the year ending on January
LIST, 1913, 6lO,35l. This year the number in atten-
dance has been 657 1872 showing an increase OF
upwards of 5000: considerable Improvement
has been effected in the consolidation of small dis
lricts which have heretofore existed. They
have" as the report states, for long period
heretofore been the source of many formidable
evs-miserable school houses, poor and cheaI
teachers, interrupted and temporary instruction
and heavy rate bills, arc among the prominent
calamities incident to small districts. The ordina
ry pretext tor the division and subdivision of dis
tricts Is the greater proximity to be afforded to
portion of the inhabitants to the school house. To
this single advantage considerations OF much greater
Importance are often sacrificed. The idea seems
to be entertained by many that it is great hard
ship for children to travel mile, or even halt a
mile, to school and that those individuals are
most favored who find the school house nearest to
their houses 1t is true that there few
stormy days in the year when the nearness Of
the school house may be deemed convenience. -
But all children of ten or twelve years of age,
must, In order to MAINTAIN health and secure
tic u"c ueNeioPclit pHySlCdl iunCllOHs,
ercse daytoa much greater extent than is produced
by one or even two miles trave," NC. "Ihe most
rigid teachers will testify that, as general rule
those children who live farhest from the school
house are the most punctual in their attendance
and make the greatest progress in their studies ~
That fact, OF which there should not be any doubt
seeing we have good authority tor it, is interesting
and proves the value of exercise to the scholar
The inelhciency which has hitherto character
Used the Common School operations is fully adj
mtted in the report, and attributed to 'inefec-
tive supervision their complete isolation from each other
and from the community in genera the Indifference
ested by the great body OF the people to their interest
and weare; the want Of competent teachers, suitable
school houses suitable text books, suitable mode Of 60
venment and discipline in the school room in Short
the absence of any interest the part of the parents and
the part OF the teachers Up TO the year the only
class OF officers whose special duty to visit and
spect the schools and to provide suitable body of teach
ers for their instruction were the Commissioners and In
spectors Of Common Schools"
"n what manner these important aud responsible du.
ties discharged by them has already submitted
to the Legislature in previous reports from this depart
ment incompetent teachers permitted to take
charge of great majority of the schools under the Off
cal sanction of certificates OF qualification granted fire.
queny without any previous knowledge Of their charac.
dom II ever made Trustees Of districts contented them
selves with dschargng the duties imposed upon them by
law; and after having contracted with teacher for the
lowest price they could obtain and made the requisite
engagements for continuing the school for length OF time
to enable their district secure its propotonate
share Of the public money they rarely felt themselves
called upon 10 examine the condition Of the school itself