Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-11-21
From the North Star.
CnNftinN SrunnT g

a law was enacted at the recent session Of
the Legislature ofthis State, which, if sustained,
will have more important bearing on the iu.
ture welfare of our citizens, than any measure
which has been adopted since the first forma.
ton OF our government. 1t has reference to the
improvement of our common schools. These
schools have ever been regarded with great in
leresi and imperfect as they have been, the
people would not have surrendered the benefits
derived from them for any peCunlary considera-
tons whatever; but if The system of improve.
men, designed by the recent law is fully carried
ont, we may reasonably hope that in few years
these benefits will be doubted.
There is from Sl50,00O to 100000, annual
" expended in this State for the support of COM
IN ~ schools, and heretofore we have been en-
tirelv destitute OF any supervision of the system,
which would secure an economical expenditure
Of this vas, sum, AID ofany regulations by which
the services ri efficient and qualified teachers
would be secured. The practice has been gem
cral, Tor the committee OF each district, TO hire
the applicant whose services could be engaged
for the lowest wages, and at the close of the
school pay him the sum stipulated; without a
single enquiry in regard to his qualifications,
except so FAR as his own assertions would 20 +;
nor in regard 10 the fidelity with which he had
discharged his duties.
The recent lazy provides for the examination
Of teachers, for the uniformity of books, for q
visitation of the schools, Cor teachers conven.
tons and for pubic lectures on the subject of
education. Under its operation we may expect
to see far greater interest in relation to COM
mon schools, on the part of community general
ly: and on the part Of teachers, a better ac-
quaintance with, and a greater devotion TO, the
duties Of their s,ations and as a consequence,
tina, our children will learn twice as much in a
given period and learn it twice as well, as they
do under our former system.
The law alluded to, provides for a State Su-
pernendant APPOINTED annually by the Legisla-
iurc. who will arrange and digest the system
for improving schools; communicate to the
subordinate officers instruction in regard to their
respective duties and directions in regard to
the hest Plans ,oriaachtg AMI managing schools;
and advice in relation to the hooks to be used
the examination of teachers, &c. and lie will
also prepare and furnish blanks for records and
for procuring such STA istcal information as may
be desired. II also provides for Superln' en-
dant of Schools in each county TO be appointed
by the County Court al the session next prev-
Gus to Oct. ISL, and to hold his Office one year
from that time. II is made his duy to attend
to the examination of teachers, to visit schools,
to hold teachers Conventions and TO deliver
public lectures, in each OF the towns of the
County. Thee is also 10 be from one to three
Superintondants OF common schools in each
town, elected as other town officers, who shall
also in connection with the County Supern'en'
dan', attend to the examination OF teachers. and
the visiting Of schools, and in case the County
| Superintendent does not visit each town, so as
to complete these duties, the town Supern,en.
lant will proceed alone.
The Town and County Snperintendants arc
to collect all desirable information in regard tC
the condition Of the school houses, the charac
ter of the teachers, the number of schools, The
| expenditures OF the school monies, and all ohe
! matters Of Importance in relation 10 the schools
and present the whole subject TO the State Su
peruendan: in their annual reports. Thes,
reports are diges,ed and condensed, and th'
substance Of them presented annually to the
Legislature, in the report OF the State Superln
,endanl, with suggestions in regard to what leg
f isla,ion may be needed TO correct existing evils
and to render the schools and the course Of in
siruclion more perfect.
Ills Exec lcncy Lieut.. Gov. Horace El,o
was elected State Superintendent, by the unan
mous vote OF both Houses of the Legislature a
. the recent session. lie is regarded by all par
, ties as gentleman possessing the requisit
qualifications for the Offices, in an eminent de
, gree, and il the services OF efficient and we
. qualified County Superin,endanls are secure'
b. the influence of the system will be very favor;
i bly,, though not fully developed, the cnsuin
:, winter.
" Under the operation ofthis system, it is ev
}. dent, that the character of our schools must |
l. very much improved, and the benefits whic
o will result from il to the State, canno, be est
/ mated in dollars and cents. These advan,ag,
n are to be enjoyed, not by one particular class
C few individuals, but by the whole conmunl,
r. and especially by over 100000 children al
St youth Of suitable ages to attend our schools.
Is One Of the Erecmire Com. ofhe
NJ ". Education S9cieig