Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-04
Common Schools.
Convention Of County Superintendents

Convention Of County Superintendent,
A Convention of County Superintendent of
Common Schools for this State was held at
Montpelier on the goth and 2Ist days of May
inst The meeting was called for the purpose of
afording to Superintendent an opportunity for
interchanging views and for counseng and adj
vlsing with each other in regard to the proper
manner of performing their responsible duties
Under this view detailed and formal report of
its transactions would be regarded as unnecessa-
ry. But although the meeting was not intended
for any direct public effect it was still thought
proper that some general account Of its purpo-
SEES and proceedings should be made public, and
the Chairman Of the Convention was, by vote,
requested to draw up brief abstract for publ
cation.
The more prominent subjects which occupi-
ed the attention Of the Convention were Text
books for the Schools and Teachers Institutes
In relation to the first of these subjects it was
concluded that the Convention were unprepared
to act definitely by way of recommending text
books, as the Importance of the subject and the
difficulties attending it seemed to demand the
most careful examination and mature deIibera-
tcn. And relating TO this matter the following
resolutions were passed:
Resolved, That it is important that some mi
tatory measures be taken at this time with
view to future recommendation Of such read
ing and textbooks as the wants of our Schools
may demand.
Resolved, That with view to secure the
greatest care and discrimination in regard to
the selection of Books Committee be raised
on each of the several branches taught, to re-
port ut future meeting to be held in October,
the particular changes that ought to be recon-
mended.
In accordance with the last resolution the fol-
lowing Committees were appointed:
On Dictionaries and Books on Orthography,
Mr.. Wickham of Bennington County and Mr.,
Case of Caledonia.
Or reading books, Mr.. Benedict of Chitten-
den County and Mr.. Hubbard of Windsor.
On Arithmetcs, Mr.. Flint of Orange County
and Mr.. Brown of Windham.
On Biographies, Mr.. Robinson of Lamoe
County and Mr. Hall of Essex
On English Grammar, Mr. Grandy of Addi-
son County and Mr.. Taylor of Grand-Isle.
On History of the United States, Mr. Camp
of Orleans County and Mr.. Scott of Washing
ton.
On Miscellanies, Mr.. Palmer of Rutland Coun-
ty and Mr.. Smith of Franklin.
The following resolution was passed on the
subjec of Teachers Institutes:
Resolved That in order to secure a higher
range of qualifications in teachers it is deemed
highly important that especial provision be made
in every County for lmparting to teachers prac-
teal knowledge of the best methods of teaching
in the various departments of study, and of man
aging their Schools.
Information was given in regard to the proper
manner of organizing and conducting Teachers
Institutes and as deep interest was manifested
on this subject it is strongly hoped that these
institutes will during the coming fall be estab-
tished in all the Counties in the State.
Interesting accounts were given by the sever
al Superintendent in regard to the condition of
the Schools in their respective Counties, and
statements were made in regard to the manner in
which they had severally conducted their exam
nations of teachers, and performed other appro-
pirate duties,
1t appearing from the reports of several Su-
perntendents that there was prevailing neglect
of the use of the Bible in Schools, the following
resolution was passed
Resolved, That this Convention recommend
the general introduction of the Bible into our
Common Schools, to be read at the opening Of
the School in the morning.
Various other matters pertaining to the action
and duties of Superintendent being considered
and disposed of, a resolution, recommending an
other meeting of County Superintendents at this
place on Wednesday, the 18th day of October
next, was passed, and thereupon the Convention
adjourned
The meeting was harmonious aud pleasant
one, and it is confidently believed that it will be
attended with useful results
H. EATON, Chairman
Montpelier, May o. 1916.