Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-04-03
For tts iaquner and Chronicle.
Ceun:y Superintendent Of Common
geheelS,

In orr last, We presented few remarks
on the Importance Of the Office Of County
Superintendent Of Common Schools. We
contemplate presenting some views Of a
plan, which, if faithfully carried out, will
We think, very much tend to give fresh
iapulse, to the causs Of common schools 10
oug county
The object Of The Office was Intended IN
cevafe the standard of common school ed
acation, by having better teachers, aud
widening more interest on The part of ed
peaiiou. Where the duties Of the Office
isve been efseiently prosecuted, We have
cen such results as to inspire the friends
ts eIuestisa to value and appreciate it,
Teachers have hcen stimulated to improve
themselves ani iu}ase tnore life into the
schools Directors and parents, notwith
standing their prejaiiees, have been bro't
- see better state Of things 10 the
soaools, aud who woali be sorry to have
the ofiac abolished. We advert now, TO
those counties, where such state Of things.
have been realized. Tue late report Of the
State Superintendent viii show decided
improvement: over the last years egort.-
!, has worked we'll lhus far, and he indulg
Is he hopa of realizing tue desired im-
provemen, and result rs was originally IN
tended ia the creation Of the ofica. Much
viii doubtless BE reaIizad, although it
uoe.s gitf strong tiie u opposition IN
certain directions.
As the tin,e Of the trienuial convention
d School Directors is near AT hand, 10
c.ect ucw superintendent Of Common
Schools, We viii uow present Our views Of
pl2a, Which Il efieientiy carried OUT by
The individual vino mag be elected, VIII
tend yer7 mu9h TO awaken NJ new interest
ia our county, on tie PR. Of directors, pa
rents ara teachers Our plan viii not be
!. rev one. but new 10 50 fir as our county
IS concerned.
The duties Of tue ofaso call for ti'o ez-
a,piaa,icn Of teachers, visiting the schools,
and gathering OF materials OF educational
topics. &. New, much can he 6oue, IN
the examiaation pf teachers, in the pres
eace Of the school directors, TO awaken an
interest. It's cot enough to ascertain
whether tue teacher can read, write aud ey-
pier, but tue poin, IN question shouId be.
whether tie principles involved in these
p,ig,ary branches are well nn3erstood, and
tact, Sufficiently we'll manifested 10 commu-
rirate these principles 10 those under hls
care. There Is not sufficient interest mani
fssied TO communicate these principles to
those under his care. There is not sufi
Gent interest manifested in the HaoiHs ops-
raadi Of PRIMARY teaching. Ts< show the
utility Of primary teaching, iq a philosophi-
cal manner, teachers sheold be convened
ia the different townships FOR at least seve-
raj days. to attend to the lectures Of the
Srparinten3ent, and more time should be
-peat in this, than is usually allowed to IT.
Bat We are apt 10 miseoneeirc as we'll as
laiscoatrue tho principles involved IN PR
mary teaching, aud often profess tnoro than
We really knox ! non-importanoo is at
cached II /, asa benee not considered ne
cessary ia teachiac the siements. It Is ow-
ing TO this fact, and which IS notorious, that
ou. .hools are still IN ba a,kwarl condi-
fion, ard teachers are generally deficient
in this qer7. essential department: Of com
mon school edavatioa. Many are still En-
acauainied with the elementary sounds OF
the letters, and much has been lost on this
account. TIE importance Of this fact to
stimulate teachers to more attention in this
direction, should be eearefully impressed up
On the minds Of all who undertake TO in
struet children and yoa;h.
In connection with primary teaching, the
fSuperiutendent's leciuees should also en-
brace tie subject Of Arithmetic, Geogra-
pay, English Grammar, and other kindred
subjects on education. All the iBforlna-
ion that can be giyen to arouse TIE teach
ers' energies 10 a more thorough acqaain-
,tlnee Of these subjects, ia order TO bring
more lie inse the school room, should ai-
ford pleasure and interest, while lectures
sre given for this purpose. The Superia-
sendea,: to carry out this plan efficiently,
should supply himself with maps, charts,
globes, and other apparatus. IL order 10 II
lustrate the sui jecis selected for lecture. =
Information can be disseminated IN this
way, which viii exert a happy influence,
>aa ted very much to free the mind from
prejudice II this way, will ibe way be
opened fog profitable examination, and
the teacher and director viii view matters
IN a different light, and different state Of
things will soon be visible in our common
schools.
From these brief remarks, We viii learn
the Importance and the necessity of having