Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-02-24


situation are more apparent than
real. Those farthest off are the
most regular and punctual. They
make the greatest proficiency as
scholars. Build a good school,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in it good
teachers-have frst-rate school,
and, wherever it may be located,
scholars will find it.
3. Secure the attendance of the
scholars in the city. OF ono thou
sand scholars in this district, eight
hundred ought to be in school,
What proportion are there . Where
are the rest
But there was a time in Connec-
tlcut when public opinion was de-
cided on this subject, and it was en-
acted that "The seectmen see shat
no family shall allow so much bar
barism as that any one shall grow up
unable to read Gods Holy Word,
and the good laws of this colony"
j. Having established good
schools, it is necessary that they
should be placed under suitable reg
ulations.
These are just as proper III a pub
he school as in a public street.
may use the public road as much
as | please, but | may not drive
zlg-zag. hlther and thither, upon it,
regardless of the rights of others and
of the laws in such case made and
provided. Let the needed regula-
tons be fully discussed and calmly
adopted, and then let the full force
OF public opinion be brought TO
bear, to assist the teacher in enlorc-
ing them. Are they unnecessary
Go into the school-room tomorrow
aud see the evils of irregular attend
ance. A scholar enters late. Six
ty eye him for one (ostt minute
each, and one hour is lost to the
school. Ten hours may be thus
lost each half day, a class is cal
led A. is not prepared because he
was not present yesterday. +. re-
cites. G.. cannot because he lost an
explanation of a principle last week.
The teacher must give to him that
attention which belongs to the class.
The advantages Of promptness, eff
fciency, and impetus are lost to all.
The irregular pupil must always
suffer from defective scholarsi lip.
The time of commencing and
closing the termand daily sessions
should be regulated by the COM
munity and alrrequired to conform.
Hardness and absence, except for
sickness, should be entirely done
away. One third of the time and
means expended on education in
this State, are thrown away, by the
irregularity of those who attend
while the progress of those who re-
main in. the school land their. own
when preseaD are still further hin-
dered.
5. An essential point in the es-
adjustment of a system of edqca-
ton, is the proper gradation Of
schools.
This should be carried even fur
ther thanit has been. 1t is unftstu-
nate that the lowest grade ofschools
has been so tried in this country as
to be brought into disrepute and
abandoned. Infant schools, when
converted into intellectual hot-hou-
ses, are an injury. They are need
less for children who have an abun-
dance of proper training at home
But they may be a means of great
good to a large class of children in
all our cities. They should be pla-
ces where the health, morals, and
manners of young children should
be cared for as they would be'in the
best regulated family. The prim-'
airy school should follow, then the
Intermediate, the Grammar school,
and the High school. The library
and the lecture room should contin-
ne the education even after the days
of school are ended.
6. In order to carry out this sys.
TEN, it is indispensable that we
should have thoroughly prepared and
permanently employed teachers.-
But how difficult is it 10 make the
community realize this. In no other
department of labor is there SO much
apprentice labor employed. There
is no more difficult employment
none in which greater variety Of
rare publications Is requlslte-n"ne
IN which preparation and experience
are mere valuable.
Teaching is an art 10 be acquired;
ii has Principles iehich can be-
learned. The State has at last rec
ognizcd this fact, and endowed IL
State Normal School. II Is now in
complete and successful operation.
But in order that Norman Sem
lnarles may be flHedi teachers must
be encouraged TO resort to them, TO
prepare themselves for their voca-
ton, by more liberal and discrnnin-
ating salaries. Offer permanent,
lucrative, and desirable positions,
aud they will take pains to prepare
themselves to secure and fill thenn.
II we would retain our best teachers
(and not have our scools mere step
ping stones to better positions
abroad, we must regard them as
highly and afford them as good en-
couragement as our neighbors.-
When | was in Rhode Island, |
found that sixty of the best teachers
,,rare from this State At an IuStl-