New-York daily tribune., 1846-01-13
From the Boston Traveller
PopuIar Education in Rhode Island.

We have not been much in the habit of looking
m Rhode Island for encouragement and instruction
in matters relating 10 Common Schools out
weeks sojourn in that State has satisfied me that
work is going on there which may well attract the
attention OF teachers and the friends oil education IN
Massachusetts and elsewhere.
The CITY Of Providence, some hve years since,
adopted a system Of Public Schools, which, Tor COM
ple;eness of organization and thoroughness oil ad
rinis,ration for the neatness and convenience OF
the school houses which has provided; for Its hap
py adaptation 10 meet the wants OF all classes OF
children and for the cheapuess with which these
great results obtained. Is not surpassed oy any
school system in New England.
The work of reform SO auspiciously commenced.
was not confined within the limits OF single town
Two wears ago, the Legislature authorized the Gov
ernor OF the State TO appoint superintendent OF
Public Schools. with powers and duties correspond
ing with those of the Massachusetts Board OF Edu-
cation and their Secretary. With liberaty wor.
thy of all praise. Governor Fenner did not ieei
boupd TO select this officer from his own State, but
sought for some one who had had experience IN the
duties 10 be performed. He invited to this post
Henry Barnard, Esq of Connecticut who brought
with him the experience OF tcrr years as Secretary
of the Connecticut Board OF Education.
From the report of Mr.. Barnard, which is now IN
the course of publication il appears that he entered
Immediately upon the great work OF ascertanlng
the condition of the schools, and the actual working
of existing laws BY visiting one or more schools IN
every town and conterrng with teachers and school
committees as the basis of all his operations. To
prepare the public mind for more efficient system
he resorted TO every agency within his reach to dis
seminate information 10 existing detects and De
sirable remedies, by conversation and by fanl!iar
and practical lectures, in every town IN the stale
by preparing and circulating Educational Tracts
in every family; by aiding districts and committees
in the construction of school houses and the en-
plovrnent of well qualified teachers that he might
be able TO pon, at least one model school house
and one model school in each county. and as early
as possible in each town; by aiding Lyceums In
procuring lectures on the subject of education; by
enlisting clereymen of different denominations 10
preach on the subject; by securing the sympathy
and co0peration of teachers in the advancement OF
a work which must carry along with IT their lndi-
yidual and professional advancement; and finally
as the result OF the whole. by preparing Dill Tor
public act respecting Common Schools.
After being one year before the people this bill
was passed in both branches of the Legislature
with scarcely dissenting voice. although It In
wolves the raising OF money by tax In towns winch
had never before voted dollar tor educational pur-
poses, and provides for thorough supervision Of
;he schools by district, town, county and State Of
iicers.
Hcrc then is a State which has completely re6r-
oanized lis system of Common Schools in less than
two wears and Incorporated with the best features
OF the systems of other States. During this period,
five
cred in the different towns, and nearly one sixth OF
The school houses have been either rebuilt or re-
modeled Town, county, and Stale associations OF
teachers and friends Of education, have been form
ed. which have held more meetings in two years
than the same number OF similar institutions IN Mas
sachusetts have held in five. The novel feature oi
an itinera,inr Normal school agency, operating di-
recty upon the severai schoois hds mere "fuuSn'
out It's most happy results
An Educational Tract has gone into every
family in the State that taxes an Almanac ana
Library of Education has been established In
every town for the use OF teachers and school COM
r,tees TO saw nothing OF the great variety OF books
and pampbets relating the subject of popular in
struction. which have been widely disseminated
among all classes OF citizens.
The Superintendent has just closed q series OF
e. Teachers Institutes, through which large
amount of practical knowledge has been impaired
10 more Than balfthe teachers employed in the Win
Tor schools. and what is still better, zeal for i'm
nrovement a. individuals and as profession, has
hsn in nsoired which must accomplish still greater
results have enjoyed the privilege OF being pre-
sanr at txo of these Institutes, and have formed
very high estimate OF their uuhty nave attehaeo'
or Si,FaTant ,ines g variety OF Teachers Conven-
,ions ond Associations, bat justice requires me TO
Coz ,ba, T never before received much valuable
ins,rnction on the subject OF teaching IN the same
space OF time. -
four different points IN AassaenusetS si
srsnJaG have gone away with the same kind OF
feelings toward each other. and the same glowing
interes, in the whole cause Of school improvement
,,bicb nervadeS the Rhode Island Institutes then
has a great work been done for our State
The friends of education should become better
ac1nain,ed with this new agency for advancing the
qualifications of teachers As contribution 2.oO 10 ihs ah
Jorr,sI ~ the Rhode Island institute which pre-
ssnIs in condensed form, the origin and history OF
this system of instruction
Lei the good work which Rhode Island has IA .e be.
sassfII he continued as vigorously and happily tor
few Years more, and she may boast OF system OF
Common Schools no; surpassed BY any other s:sss s
in the Union The ae's 1T sas The bs, gaia
u,nc6 Of the wealth OF the State is employed &C.
tivelv, and above all, the jadicious beginning and
prosecution of the work by practical agencies, seem
70 guarantee gres, and immediate results ,u
~