The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-04-07


GENTLEMEN:
As the act relating TO Common Schools.
passed Nov. 5, 1915. Is now folly in force.
and you are required by it 60 examine
persons Offering themselves as teachers of
Common Schools, and 10 grant them Ger
uhcates oil qualification in such form as shall
be prescribed by the State Superintendent"
II becomes necessary that ! should address
you in relation to this new class of duties.
The form Of the certificate which il is made
my duty TO prescribe. is assumed To- invo,y,
the standard of qualification which Is IN he
establshed-fur otherwise the desirable uri-
ioimity aud harmony in YOUR plans and
measures conld nat he secured. Besides II
the duty of fixing such standard were mot
intended to be included in that of prescribing
the form Of certificate, il would seem IN b,vs
been supernuons to require the Stale. S,,oC
by special instructions TO direct the mere i;,,In
for making on, your decisions and tba, too
when every thing involved in the certificate.
save what pertains to the amount Of the
qualifications Of which it is TO be the evil
dence' IS substantially pointed ont by the act
ITSELF But under any construction, the mode.
oil conducting the examination OF teachers
and the qualifications to be demanded Of
them, would seem TO be matters of so much
importance as to justify me in making item
the SUBJECT oil q special communication.
Aud here II will be observed that The law
does not subject town superintendants 10 the
same regulations IN this particular as vnr--
selves. For apght hich the law specifically
requires, each board Of town supfs erect lis
own standard, and prescribe IFS own form of
certificate. Ii is believed that the purpose Of
mus exemPlInS them from any restrictions
IN tins way, was that they might be enabled
1t occasion should reGuire) to relieve towns
from Tie burden of too stringent measures
on the part Of other agents in the system
measures which it was supposed might be
Ill adapted, and incapable Of adaptation. to
the exlsencies Of particular cases. II was
supposed that the regulations of county
SuPts., who were to be mainly relied en- to
advance. and elevate The standard of educa-
tIon, might. especially for some towns, bs
unduly rigid and severe. And for such cases
town SuPts. as now constituted, could az
ford the necessary relief If some feeble
ones could not keep even pace with those
who led the van, tho officers coul1 protect
them while Of necessity they fingered in the
rear.
But If regulations he recommended or
suiiIIienily liberal and lenient character 10
guard against oppression in any case. there
can be no good reason why county and io1r
SuPfs- should not act concnnently and har
InonIously IN furthcrance Of the great ohi+ct
which II Is the purpose of the law 20 serure,
For the suppOsiIion is not for moment to
be tolerated, that II was the intent Of the law,
that one class Of officers under il should be
created oil purpose 10 Ihwart the iudcious
measures aud mode of proceeding 10 bo
aHOn arsaas, flo.l. 4.
rlude any necessity or occasion for con-
1ictng action between town and county
5upts., we venture to indulge the confident
hope that the harmony and concert SO i'm
Dortant TO the hes. interest Of our schools will
De secured and maintained and that both
classes of officers will EEL as if lahorins in
1ne common cause aad direct Their united
energies aud efforts 10 the attainment of one
great end. For it is presumed that town
5upis. will, as general thing. be sincerely
iesirous of cooperating with you, if such
be made as will permit it, and
he mode Of actiOn proposed be such
IS 10 recommend itself TO their own nense
If propriety. There are few to whom il is
Tot pleasant 10 be advised and assisted in tie
discharge of responsible duties. And on
'our part, in view OF Tho great facilities il
would afford yOn in d'schargiDg your own
pccial duty, and in view of the many en-
from which it woul reIi eve Won,
cannot doubt that you would most earnestly
lesire such a CO operation. and would regard
10 slcr6ce too great to secure it. But cour-
esy aud kindness can scarce involve a sacri-
ice; and we know not what more than these
AN, in ordinary cases, be needed to attain ibe
nd. And with the confident belief ;Lt.at the
interest OF our schools demaeds Yourselves
md town suPerintendenrs s5ould be sovernca
" the same general principles, and adopt.
not precisely the same standard for tie
granting Of certificates. yet standards which
hall be mutually recognized and icquiescsd
n as well as that your mutual eonvesienc,
would be prompted BY such a course, we
proposed 10 send TO each board Of town
Supfs. copy of this communication. (aI-
hough in form addressed to yoGrseIres.( for
heir information and their guidance. az far
Is The regulations embraced shall accord