The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-09-30
REPORT OF r. w. WEAVER, ESQ.,,
7 COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT,
Of Columbia County fir The gear ending June
1sf, 1857.

of the older scholars with that regularity
which is desirable and profitable. There is
however, some improvement in this respect
end in several of the most thinly settled dis
tric.s, the directors have resolved upon q
summer tetm.
Examinations and 7saeheys-In November
last I made series of appointments is through
the county, 10 meet and examine teachers
but, as in previous years, the attendance ol
teachers and directors was not so general as
it ought to have been, to indicate and inspire
that interest in public education which an
intelligent community ough. always to feel
The teachers stay away, because many oil
them know that they are only apprentices in
the profession, though in most cases they
have improved all the scant opportunities
for mental improvement that were in theil
reach. Most of them frankly confess their
incompetency, and excuse it by. the want oi
proper instruction. In many cases havs
found il necessary TO instruct teachers, rather
shan 10 examine them. In order 10 find
teachers for all the schools of the county,
was still compelled 10 give certificates of a
lower grade than was desirable and indeed
10 some teachers so deficient, that they con.
fessed they would have preferred 10 go TO
school as scholars, instead Of teachers. But
l know that OUT county is not worse, in this
respect, than many others; and the evil can
only be cured when Normal schools are once
established. We improve slowly, each year,
by heavy effort but 1t is only in pace with
the general progress of knowledge in the
community, and the schools do not, as they
ought, lead the public mind.
Within the time Of my official service the
wages of teachers have raised, so as to be
now quite up 10 the grade Of qualifications,
and in many cases are rather above. II is
10 be hoped that the pay will remain up,
and the teachers will now prepare themselves
10 earn it, by organizing teachers institute.
True excellence will always command good
wages.
Within the past year granted one hum
dred and twelve temporary certificates, aud
three permanent ones. Ten applicants wers
refused certificates. The teachers of last
year, in most cases, hold these certificates
with some improvements. Their ages, time
of service, and relative capacity, would rank
very much as in my statistics OF last year
So also would the condition of the school
houses, and their desliiuiion of furniture, for
there has been very little change in this re
spect
Tsitations.-I visited oil the schools could
within the short months they were open.
and found in most of them a decided i'm.
provement since my first visit in 1866
Twenty five schools could not reach while
they were IN session. Catawissa is the only
district in which found reirogression from
the excellent graded schools of last year.-
found twenty little abecedarians, and tea
different reading books, in school which
the teacher was expected to make firs
rate"
10 general the manner Of study and recita.
tion has become more natural and more
comprehensive TO the scholars, and they
have come TO think more upon the subject o.
their lessons. There is, however, still greal
room for improvement, and in no branche.
moe than in arithmetic and composition.
have found that the most benefit resulting
from supervision of the public schools is
in the work at home, where almost every
day some teacher, director or citizen came
for information, or with bill of complaint
It is in explaining The workings Of the com
mon school system, in reconcilng difficulties
and misunderstanding, and in preventing
feuds and law'suits, that most good can bs
done. Still, visitations are necessary, and
|. is highly desirable that those of the Super
intendent should be followed by others from
the directors,
The examination of teachers has a very
good moral influence in driving incompeten
persons out of the business Of keeping school
and in exciting among fit teachers laudable
spirit of pride 10 sustain respectable exsin
nation, and obtain good certificate. AL
though the school law Of is49 required ar
examination Of teachers, It's directions il
,ha, respect were not generally observed III
this county, and where an examination wal
attempted il was very superficial and imper
feet
Progress.-Thrse years ago there were ne
graded schools in The county; oral arithmetic
was almost unknown as school exercise
and music. unheard, except in one or tw,
schools. There had been no public school
examiHaiions or exhibitions of any frs,
school in the county, and ro association o
the teachers for progress or Improvements
Now almost all the towns have gradet
sch ools oral instruction is applied as a strong
element in every district of The county
music 10 . common branch of ius,ruciiol
and ref nsment; public examinations an
exhibitions are coming 10 be considered .
necessary incidents Of the term, and With
my time of service there have been si
meetings Of leachers' associaiions fs
Last summer proceedings were conmsnc
cd 10 remove tue directors Of Roaring Crssl