Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-02-03


have taken occasion to examine the records os
this Office. Many Of them are of such na-
ture as to settle principles upon which new
appeals are daily made from different localI-
ties, or even from adjoining school districts.
la addition to this, the inhabitants of school
districts meet with great difficulties in obtain
ing copies of laws passed by the different
legislatures, in relation to the public schools.
As a consequence, embarrassing suits and ap-
peals arise, involving the loss Of time, and In
curing expense which general publication
of the laws and decisions would have pre-
vented.
A School Journal, sent by authority into
every school district, would tend to awaken
general interest in the progress OF education
If bound at the end of each year, and placed
in the district library, it would not only be of
present service, but would form a valuable
historic record of the progress of education
in the State.
Such publications have been established in
other States, and the result has been highly
satisfactory. Their influence has proved sal
uEary in etfecting an understanding among
those engaged in education, in securing unity
Of action, and in bringing the powerful aid Of
the press to assist IN preparing for usefulness
the rising generation.
| would espectfully recommend that the
State Superintendent be authorized to procure
the printing of such matter upon education
al subjects, in periodical form, as may be re-
quisIte TO meet these necessities.
SCHOOL LAWS.
Our School Laws are conflicting. volumin-
Gus and complicated. Complaints are con-
stantIy being received from different portions
of the State, urging the necessity of their
reversion. Many suits are now pending
against school district officers, and the num-
ber is daily increasing, principally arising
from misunderstanding of the real meaning
and intent of the law.
One year ago, called the attention of the
Legislature to this subject. now beg leave
to refer you to that communication. (Appen-
dix b.
The experience of the past year has con-
frmed my opinion that an entire revision of
the School Laws of the State is absolutely
necessary.
TRAVELLING OF THE STATE SUPER
INTENDENT, AND TEMPORARY
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The law makes it a duty of the State Su-
perintendent to visit, as far as practicable, the
different counties Of the State, for the purpose
of awakening an interest in the cause Of edu-
cation. In compliance with this provision,
seventeen counties have been visited during
the past year. In these visits effort was
made TO meet as many teachers and friends of
education as possible. The teachers of the
counties visited were by previous notice, as
sembled, usually at the county seats, and
temporary Normal Schools organized for one,
and sometimes. Two weeks. The schools
were well attended, and much interest elicit
ed. The days we're occupied in giving IN
strucIion in those branches taughti in the pub
lie schools explanations upon the most aP-
proved modes Of communicating instruction /;
discussions upon the general system Of man
agement and government of Schools; and
other practical subjects of importance to teach
ers. The evenings were devoted to public
lectures upon such topics as were thought
best calculated to awaken in the people more
lively interest in the cause Of popular instrue-
tion.
At some of these schools there were near
Iy eighty school teachers ia attendance. 1t
will readily be seen that, with this number,
one instructor could not do justice to the IN
dertaking. | usually found it necessary 10
employ two, and sometimes three, assistants
during the session. The law neither makes
provision for the liabilities so incurred, nor
for the organization of the schools. A bill
passed one branch of the Legislature, at its
last session. making It the duty Of the State
Superintendent to hold these teachers gather
ings, and providing for the payment Of his
assistants, but was lost in the other. To
meet the deficiency in the law, the citizens IN
the several towns and cities il which the
meetings were held, generously opened their
doors for the gratuItOus entertainment OF the
teachers during the session. The teachers,
thus relieved Of one burden, cheerfulIy con-
tributed the amount required TO meet the ex-
pense incident to employing necessary assist
ants. | have thus been enabled to carry out,
In part, the original plan Of these organlza-
tions, notw outstanding the embarrassment con-
sequent upon want of sufficient legal pro-
visions for its full accomplishment. This ef-
fort has met with especial favor from the Peo-
pie of the counties visited, and the desire ap-
peared nearly universal that Legislative aid
should be granted to perfect, systemic, and
render 1t more efficient IN elevatIng the char
acter of our public schools.
From the experience of the past year, | am
fully satisfied that temporary Normal Schools
may be the means of doing more towards
raising the standard of popular education II
our State, than any other plan yet devised
Teachers, brought together annually, Ter a
few weeks, under the tuition Of able and ex-
perienced instructors, learn more of the SCI
ence of teaching than would be acquired IN
months attendance upon ordinary academIcal
exercises. These schools, being under the
direct charge Of the State Superintendent, af
ford him an opportunity of pointing out tbs
defects and errors II prevailing systems of In
struction, of showing the remedy, and, also,
of giving his views at length, upon the whole
subject of teaching. Through their means
and influence teaching IS wrought into a sci
snce, to be pursued with industry, and IN
proved by skill. Like other professions, II
will be made the business of d life, instead oi
being the resort of stFagglers and vagrants
when deprived of other means OF subsistence.
At these schools the best teachers are usu-
ally IN attendance. The young IN the pro-
fession mingle with those who have had the
experience Of years. The teachers of coun-
ty thus become acquainted, and mutual IN
tsrest, each In the welfare and success of the
other Is naturally awakened. All listen TO the
same lectures, discussions and instruction
on the various plans for the improvement OF
schools and the elevation OF the profession.
Mind is brought into contact with mInd-the
varied experience Of the older IS generously
poured into the storehouse CT the younger,
and, having adopted uniform. approved meth
a9s of In structlon they carrv them with the