The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-05-25
Comfy SupeTiutsn1eDts.

al training Of teachers; and 3. C04ntg
SuPerintehdentS to stir up and unite the
efforts Of those engaged in and connected
with the schools lii each county, and to
administer efficiently so much OF the pow
erS of the system as are strictly profes-
sional or depend On the government head
It was most desirable that all these a
gencies should have been granted at this
particular juncture, when there is such
manifest awakening, in every quarter Of
the State, on the subject Of educational
improvement. But the Law making pow
er has wilied differently, and only con-
ceded one out Of the three demands; and
it is now the business Of all concerned, so
to make use Of this new agent as to de-
rive the greatest possible amount of ben
eft. How shall this be done? is the ques-
ton. The answer will not be difficult, ii
the nature Of the Office and the object to
be effected be steadily held in view.
Tho Legislature have, wisely we think,
given the appointment Of the County Su
Derintendant to the DjrcctorS Of the coun-
ty in which he is to oficiate. Parents
have always been and ought to be, jeal-
Gus OF the removal of the powers Of the
common school system further from them
selves than the absolute necessities Of the
case require. Their immediate repre-
sentatiyes are the Directors, chosen by
themselves, dwelling among, and respon
rjble to themselves. But, it is found by
experience that Directors generally eth
er have not tie leisure, or are not quail
fed for the performance Of some of the
duties assigned to them By law. Among
these are the examination of teachers, the
regulation Of the branches OF study and
the strict professional visitation and su-
pervision of the schools. Hence arises
the necessity of another agency in the
system; and hence also the propriety Of
giving the selection Of the agent to the
power which is the direct representative
of parental authority.
Not only, moreover, is the arrangement
in conformity with the nature of the sys-
tenn, bat it is one eminently calculated to
render the agency itself useful and eff
cient. The County Superintendent, be
ing the officer and representative Of the
Directors, will naturally possess their con-
fGence and bo enabled to exercise ben
efcal influence upon them. His sugges-
tons as to the improvement Of school
houses, the grading Of the schools, the in
PRODUCTION Of proper apparatus, and the
other numeroQ, improvements which are
so much needed, and of which Directors
from want Of experience, know SO little
will have greater effect, than tie same
! recommendations from an officer placed
in antagonists, whether real or supposed
, it matters not, to them. Ie will be ttci,
oficer-tlelr reprcsentative-Aetr coun-
selIor; and in those capacities his powers
! for good, il he be man Of experience
tact, and common sense, will be almost
unlimited.
! But while the Legislature saw that, be
! ing tie administrator Of very grave pow
er5 heretofore entrusted exclusively to
Directors, lie ought to BE chosen by them
they also saw that, having professional
duties Of the utmost Importance to dis
charge, he ought always to be chosen
from tie body of teachers. How else
could he discharge bis strictly profession
al duties! As well might a person un-
learned in the law hope to properly pre-
side as judge on the Bench, or lay
man I'll one of the chairs of theology il
school designed for the education Of
the clergy. Not only therefore was there
all urgent necessity for the provision that
the County Superintendent should be "ot
skill and experience in the art of teach
ing" but there was evidently noble de.
sign to dignify aud elevate the Teacher
profession itself Heretofore it was rare.
ly named or thought of as regular oc
cupation, much less as high and perma-
nent profession. Uereafter-from the
date OF this school law Of l654-it takes
its stand among the learned and Lonora.
ble PROFESSIONS The strict examination
Of teachers and the exclusion from the
ranks Of the profession Of all who do not
reach certain standard, at once estab.
lish its grade; and the high mark of The
teachers own lawfully constituted officer
TIE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT held
out to the honorable ambition Of all, will
elevate and stimulate the whole proles,
sion.
Such, hastily. are the nature and the
objects Of the Office; and the duties Of al
| parties to it are plain: Let Directors
select the best and most efficient teacher
they can fad in the county, and pay him
well; and let the teachers Of the county
honor themselves and their profession, by
the hearty, uuheaitating support he has a
right to expect at their hands; thus even
in the absence of normal schools and a
State Department of education, such a
reformation will be seen, in one short
year, as shall justify the establishment OF
the Office, and ensure the grant of all else
that may be needed.
The Sections relating to the Office Of
Co. Superintendent, are here added
COUNTY 6UPERINTENDENTs.
Sec. 81 That there shall be chosen.
in the manner hereinafter directed, an Of
c. L