Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-12-23

Cur Common Schools.

Our Common Schools
We suppose the Vermont Chronicle and its
sage contributors, who seem determined to sus
tain the present mutiated and virtually dead
school law, to the effect Of preventing The enact
ment Of a new and better one, will again be in
our hair for inserting the following article from
rejecting and experienced teacher, But they
will eventually discover that it is themselves and
not us, who are tnkIng a course to prevent any
advance in our Common School System. Ed.
As another session of the Legislature has
passed without the appointment of a State Su-
perintendent or the framing Of new code of
laws Tor tie improvements of our common schools
it seems more important that we, as teachers,
make more effort to raise our schools above their
present low standing. had hoped at the gath
erlng OF the General Assembly, when read an
excellent Article published in the Freeman, con-
corning our old law, and the suggestion OF a
new one that part of the time whith was
spent in debates Of far less Importance, would
be occupied in investigating the wants OF our
schools Time and bad administration have
proved our old law to be enc not suited to public
sentiment Some of the most prominent reasons
appear to be that unqualified men have had the
Offices; for instance, our first State Supernten
dent. During the last years he held the Office,
he was occupying his time mostly in the capac
ily of Governor, or in his profession yet rcceiv-
ing pay sufficient, had he devoted his undivided
time ard energies to the office, as its importance
demanded. As regards his qualifications, have
nothing to say; yet have often heard the
opinion expressed by some OF our head educa-
tionlss in the State that he held on to that office
too long, and the last year performed its duties II
manner which was calculated, as it did, tC
bring the law into disrepuie.
1t was the duty of the State Superintendent
to appoint Teachers Institutes in each Comfy
ma np rtesent 10 inatlng them ihS't"o
,tvo nd beneficial. How WAS 1t in Tins respect
To some that he appointed he did not make hi
appearance and to one which attended, h
was present one evening only, and gave an ex
temporaneous lecture.
And when we come to examine some of lh
under officers, it sartles the candid mind. Mel
who would serve with the least expense to thel
respective towns, have been elected, without re
gard being had to their qualifications. AS per
feet specimen as any may be seen in a neigh
boring town. The superintendent of that owl
gave certificate to en- applicant, in wbcl
nearly one fourth Of the words commenced will
capitals, and the spelling was worse yet Fo
instance" qualified in wrghting, Speeding
Geography and Grammer" Another prominen
reason of the failure of the old law, was its be
ing made political office, which alone wa
enough to kill it Noman could be elected Stat
Superintendent unless he belonged to the sion,
team" party, which very justly caused revol
in the ranks of the other two parties.
Notwithstanding we have tried bad law
and had it badly carried out, and are now in
dark spot, let US remember that the elevation c
schools depends on US, as teachers, in a yer
great measure; and as we are just commencin
our important tasks for the winter, let us eac
and every one commence with firm determine
ton to improve our schools as much as lies
our power. And in so doing, the first step is
get our schools interested in their own behal
Any one experienced in school keeping know
that lesson is much easier learDcd and lonrt
retained, which is learned through ambition tina
were it done through fear. If all were awal
, of the power of love in the young mind an
were that cultivated in preference to hatred an
malice. we should hear less about bad scholar
and have fewer schools stopped because the
were past government.
But it is natural for US 10 attribute all errors
the other party and justify ourselves, Not thr
say the scholar Is always clear from blame bl
that the teacher many times sets up his auhorit
, without even trying to show 10 bis school I'll
necessity of such regulations. The less rule
f BY which to govern a school, the better-prov
ded it be governed; and the most beneficial ru
llhl lever COulu Huuj Is inc RUE OF luSuCeJ UO
toward scholar and teacher; and the teocht
, should be the first TO commence the practice
it. Find the teacher who always accompanit
his rules with reason for them and lays dow
no rules unless there erist a reason for the sam
aud you will find one beloved by his school, ar
I one who has little or no trouble in governing
> Whereas on the other hand, find the one III
lays down long list of rules by which to go
ern his school, without endeavoring to sho
their Justice, and endeavors to enforce them
upon dumb beasts, and you find person place
in an unenvlable situation. and one not apt to
J., long sustained.
: Let us one and all take into consideration tn
above suggestions, and de ide on their meri
and dement's, and if they are true, give them
practical application, which shall tell for II
future improvement of our schools.
,, TEACHER.
East Montpelier, Dec. 10, 1852.