Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-08-17
COMMON SCHOOLS.

whey, superintendent OF Common Schools, to the
COMMITTEES appointed to examine and pass on the
qualifications of those wishing to become teachers Of
Common Schools. This Circular breathes the right
spirit and must be productive of good 1t is evident
that all Mr.. Wiley's energies are enlisted in this
noble cause FSs.le -'a- s,tf 8 rss..-.-S =
To tie meesagpoiated to esanine and pa.s o.. the oual
Scsoos - - =. = =.
GENTLEMEN:
The first clause of the 9th section of the Act pro-
xdng for the appointment of Superintendent of Common
Schools, is in these Words
shall annually issue to the Examining Committee Of each
County circular letter of instructions and suggestions
to the qualifications of teachers"
Hoping that the pamphlet edition Of the School Laws
has by this time reached all the Officers of the Common
School system in the State proceed to issue this my
first letter Of suggestions according the provisions of the
above rected clause and to enable myself counsel with
prudence have been endeavorng to become practically
quanted with the operations of Common School system
in different parts Of the State
competency and diligence in teachers; and there
Der of interested in the of education who
to teach and the establishment of high standard Of
instructors should be left to the people of each neghborhood
and test required except that of local popularity The
proper guides this matter are original object Of
the law establishing system of Common Schools and the
actual condition of popular intelligence in the State.
The first great end proposed to learn all the children
of North to read and wreto manage their own
country and word of God to keep themselves
with II the tn pr gre Of S % Ss
object predcted the fact that very many of
pie could not read and the supposion that such
Ur ne
qualities and the fruitful source of want and suffering
standard popular intelligence thereby elevated
would be unwise and in fact impossible to establish
Common Schools Still there should be some standard
regulated with reference the actual wants OF the country
and it should be advanced with the increasing intelligence
of the community and be kept only far above it be
in condition to sympahise with it and be useful in pro-
will always keep these considerations in view,
cannot mistake our duties in the premises and upon these
In the first place the popular will represented in the
District Committees selected by the people, these Commit
limited in the objects of their choice z---
County Committee of Examination is appointed to pass
on Of this s to pgb
monies. That this committee might act with practical
reference to the wants of the country have prepared for
certificate which approved the Presi
dent and Directors Of the Literary Fund and which is to be
1t allows tolerably wide margin to the committee to dis
crmnate the merits of teachers suit all classes
suits confidently anticipated In the first place
bes the committee without doing apparent to su
peror merit to grant certificates to those qualified only TO
teach new beginners and small children class of teachers
needed in every least there neghborhoods in
ssrs gas. % aSs ses1s
nifty the rank of the teacher and the cert
the highest intermediate position.
EiSyMerit is thus rewarded and stimulated to great
n SSos S
such teachersare needed
teachers the certificates have to be annually
ed the whole community will who is progressing who
Ft1ytThose having The lowest rank, and improv-
ing with the increasing intelligence, WILL after fair trial.
Such is the existing state of things and the views
which it is founded; and in regard to it, wish to submit
to the Examining Committees few plain and practical con-
The law while it strict perhaps, it sjudcous
to make it. not too harsh and cannot possibly do nus
tce to those wishing to teach, if it is fairly administered
On this account and because this part of Common
School Laws is of vital importance must insist that Be
Disobedience allowed with impunity creates contempt
for the whole system of Common Schools.
One teacher in county having no certificate dscourages
and is prolific source complaints ordinations and
fusion Merit is generally modest and dident: but still
there few teachers worthy of encouragement who will
be always ready to be fairly tried by honest and
2 Your good and practical acquaintance with
the wants of the community must be your guide in making
examinations you thus influenced will not of
nor grant licenses any who
the elementary branches of Arithmetic These branches all
should be able to teach but all not required teach
Geography and Grammar and those standing examine
ton these studies receive numbers upon them But
culture and for the sphere in which operate no
owance be made for the want of moral The
next in honor and Importance of Pastor;
moral progate sensual man. in such position, is
wolf among lambs and to do mischief however watch
ed is solemn duty guard the innocence of the
State against such corrupng nuences but while acting
should also be careful to countenance to sear
prudces in opposition other religious denominations
tolerate alike all who acknowledge the being of God
the truth of the christian religion the Divine authority
of the Old and New Testament and do hold religious
States
g. would suggest to you to encourage good teachers to
locate permanently in neghborhoods they thus be
useful in creating and fostering spirit of education
have their salaries time increased by private sub
scrpons and also in other respects make their
ton profitable by cultivatng farms carrying
| tions. II -
hope you will also always recommend to teachers to
hold public examinations which, when well conducted have
powerful effect in creating among children desire to at
school, while they also give Importance to the school,
and to S sS%e s1sn test the Sapsc Of the
professions &C., &c, will operate voraby for educaton
when will they enlist the hearts of the chill
dren who will add their opportunities to the advice Of
| teachers to engage parents to send to school,
Encourage much possible the very poor; and
| pecaly poor females, to become teachers.
per month, if by expensive education, family influence
&c. they situation to apply themselves more profit
| ably to other callings. 1-.-s
There is however, class numerous ciAs who are hir-
ed to field labor, and many of these properly
kened could become excellent teachers d make than
twice much by their present occupations If induced
to 90 to schooto the free schools till they able
with proceeds Of few schools they could go higher
schools &C. &c. and become thziving men, making
best teachers the best ctzsn and the enterpr
ing members Of society. with hs eyes alvays steadily up
little friendly advice and the part Of their for
tunae neighbours and young mzn thus rescued from
unhappy lot and started upward course honorable
spirit of education in the night place viii open
eyes of the blind shew ignorant people at 6s mad
To- fo~ svdo6 o6rsfo vfn~nfF ~