The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-09-29

ASSOCIATION, which met at IlLGSDuTS,
August 5. We are glad to hear that
there was such good turn out, and hope
they will keep the ball rolling till they
have attained their desired end. They
have issued the following
CIRCULAR.
It has been made the duty Of the Ex
ecutive Committee of the Pennsylvania
State Teachers Association to collect
and compile statistical account OF the
number and condition of the schools Of
every grade in the State. The object Of
this compilation is to learn the effect Of
our common school system upon general
effect upon our Colleges;
Academies and other higher Institutions
of learning;-and to obtain data, upon
which to base measures for its improve
ment.
In order to obtain the desired informa-
ton, copy of the School Jo"Ra(, con-
tanning this Circular, marked, will be ad-
dressed to some known friend of educa-
ton in every county in the State; upon
the reception of which it is expected that
each, considering this sufficient notlhca-
ton, will take immediate measures for
procuring and returning reliable state
ments, in regard to the matter concerning
which inquiries are now made.
If any one to whom this circular may
be addressed should be unable to under
take the duty, it is hoped that he will
make an effort to obtain the services Of
some other competent person, or at least
inform the committee of the fact, that
some other may be selected.
That the answers may be available for
the purpose intended, it is important
that they should not be in general terms,
but specific; and, if possible, from person
al observation, either by the person in
quired of, or by others better acquainted
with particular details, with whom he
may communicate. They should also be
concise, systematic, and reliable.
1t is known to the committee that the
duty imposed will require considerable
labor-labor unrequited in pecuniary
point of view. But is not the improve
ment Of our schools and the elevation Of
our teachers a noble object? Is not the
advancement of the cause of universal
education worthy the sacrifice of time
and toll? In other states and countries,
the government, at great expense has
employed men to collect these Statistics
Let it be hereafter said, that here the
teachers and friends of education have
gladly performed the self-imposed task,
and freely presented the result of their
labors as an offering to the good cause
Already, competent gentlemen, in several
counties, alive to the great Importance of
the work, have volunteered to traverse
the whole extent of their district for this
purpose; and doubtless such there are,
and the committee hope to be so fortunate
as to enlist them, in every county in the
Commonwealth.
The special subject of inquiry are as
follows:
1st. What is the present number ana
condition Of the Colleges, Academies, Fe
male Seminaries, and other private
schools in your county, giving the name
and date of establishment Of each; and
what effect has the public school system
had upon their number and patronage?
2nd. Is your county well supplied with
common school houses, and what is their
present condition?
3rd. Have you held Teachers In
stitute in your county, have you County
Association of Teachers, or any other
means for their improvement, and if so,
what are their condition, times of meeting,
number of members, officers &C.?
4th. Has any system of grading
schools been adopted in your county, and
to what extent?
9th. In what respects has the system
of Free Schools been advantageous to the
interests of Education?
9th. What are the principal defects of
the system, as it works in your schools;
and what in your judgment would be the
appropriate remedies
Answers to be returned by the lst of
November, to j. P. Wickersham, Mariet-
ia, Lancaster CO., Pa.
BY order of the Executive Committee.
Marietta, dug. 18Th, 1853.
VIII not some one of this county give
them the desired information?
The Nea0 York Teacher also contains
the minutes Of their Association, which
met at Rochester, a large number were
present and all seem to have been anima-
ted in their purpose. The next number
of the Teacher commences a new volume.
We have marked some pieces from the
Massachusetts, Teacher and will publish
them in due time.
We would again urge every teacher to
subscribe Immediately to one or all of
these Magazines. They are published
monthly at 81 per year.
N15C Torcf7y m P037U37 ILytIaT;c; Doooeo