The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-04-19
State Convention OF school Superintend.
enia.

State Convention Of school superintend.
ents.
This assemblage met on Wednesday after
noon of last week in Hall of the House at
Harrisburg. The counties were nearly all
represented. The meeting was opened by
an address from Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes,
and some is county superintendent were
then 10 turn called on 10 explain The operation
Of the new law in their counties, and to
point out It's advantages and defects. Among
the most interesting of these were the re.
ports of Rev. Mr.. Good of Berks and MIR.
Wickershsm Of Lancaster, the former illus.
trating by facts and not By argument what
labor is yet necessary in the cause Of edu.
cation, and both proving how much can be
done by an efficient superintendent. These
two accomplished gentlemen and scholars
stood foremost in the respect Of the conveu.
lion. The officers of the body were Thorn.
as Nicholson OF Beaver President, Rev. VIM.
A. Good OF Berks and Rev. VIM. J. Gibson,
D. D., OF Centre, Vice Presidents, E. w.
ConkIin Of Montour and John H. Kluge of
Lebanon Secretaries.
On Wednesday evening a session was held
in the Hall Of the Senate. Prof. Hart Of Phil
adelphia leciured on "School Architecture"
and further reports and details from counties
were then received.
On Thursday morning the convention mel
in The Supreme Court Room. Several COM
mittees previously appointed read prepared
reports on educational subjects aud the ma
chinery OF Common School education.
The first of these, in reference to the can
collation. of teachers certificates, recon-
mended that Immediately upon complaint
being made TO the County Superintendent
against a teacher that officer should take
away the certificate. This, on motion of MIR.
Weaver, was so amended as 10 agree with
the present law on the subject, and give the
teacher Ten days time and notice for a hear.
ing with evidence, and a chance 10 NEE,
his accusers.
One committee reported in favor Of grant.
ing State certificates of a grade higher than
the present permanent certificates By Coun-
ty Superinlendenis. But theie appeared 10
be some difficulty 10 determine how, where
and by whom such examinations should be
made; and after some discussion the report
was referred back 10 the committee.
Another committee recommended TO pay
school directors a small compensation for
their service, and the report was adopted,
with only two votes in the negative. But
upon subsequent examination, when ii was
found in figures that 10 pay school Directors
the smallest decent compensation would a.
mount TO almost as much as the whole pres
ent Stale appropriation TO common schools,
ii was almos; unanimously agreed to recon-
slider the adoption of the report, and TO refer
il back 10 the committee.
Mr.. Cow OF Washington presented an able
report to change the present form oil teach
er's certificates, and 10 have tabular columns
opposite the studies in which figures from !
10 6 should indicate the teachers degree of
proficiency in each study, all certificates still
TO be temporary, except the highest.
This it was proposed By Mr.. Weaver to
amend so that only the lower grade of these
tabular or classifying certificates should be
Temporary, and the better ones subject TO re.
newal and enlargement by a subsequent ex-
animation al the option of the teacher. Mr..
Wickersham proposed 10 amend this by re-
commencing that the proposed form OF new
certificates be only used in the place of the
present temporary ones, and this was agreed
10.
Mr.. Good read an able report on the effects
of the County SUPPLEMENTARY.
On Thursday evening, DR.. McClintock oil
the Senate, upon invitation, addressed the
Convention. Gov. Pollock came in and bore
testimony TO his devotion 10 the cause Of ed
ucaiion by a short but encouraging and able
address. Col. Curtin, the State Superiniend-
emit, then spoke, and after him MIR. Hickok,
the Deputy State Superintendent. Several
more of the County SuperintenGents we're
then called on for reports, and among these
the member from Columbia. After some
little further business the convention, alter
ii O'Clock, adjourned sine die.
The convention encouraged and instructed
iis members, and its effects will DO much 10
adapt the new law to the feelings and de-
sires Of all reasonable mer. 1t proved very
plainly that under the old law almost moth
ing was done 10 improve the character of
schools; and that while the present law has
NOT remedled every evil, it is mainly weak
because there is too much of deplorable des-
titulion 10 be reformed at once by any mode
Of operation. All the membe,s agreed that
the greatest obstacle in the way Of its sue.
eessful operation is the want of qualified
teachers, and the unfortunate necessity oil
giving certificates 10 poor ones for the want
of better. The next convention will be held
At Reading.
The North IRA uch ExteusiOU, 81