Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-03-06
Vermont Board of Education.
SEc'Y's OFFICE, Jan. %, 1857. !
Burlington, Vermont. {

To THE FRIENDS OF EDUCATION IN Vt.
When II was announced that an Act
establishing the Vermont Board of Ed
ucation" had been enacted by the State
the great body of the people
recognized in it a judicious movement in
the right direction and anticipations
were Immediately entertained that it
might be productive of good, though
these antieipations were based rather
upon hope, than expectation.
The general sentiment was, and is,
that if a cautious and gradual, but posi-
tive and determined, effort to improve
and develop the present system of public
schools, asking only such future legisla-
ton as should be evidently necessary to
this developement,--were commenced,
and persistently adhered to, it would de-
serve and command success.
But the feeling was universal, that
only .such notifications of our School
Laws, would be satisfactory, as knowl-
edge of the actual condition of the
schools, ascertained from the statistics
collected under the provisions of the law,
should demonstrate to be indispensable /;
and such as should thereafter, be de-
manded of the Legislature by the people
themselves.
To preserve whatever of good is in
our present system, to develop it to the
utmost, first, and then to provide other
means and measures, was the conclusion
of all.
But while the law constituting the
Board was thus welcomed, vague but
powerful apprehension prevailed, that
any Board that might be selected, would
be composed of - theoretical men, who
in dreaming brilliant dreams, not likely
to be realized, would neglect those prac.
teal improvements that might be work,
ed out, and borne up by the aerial tend.
ency of their own balloon like schemes
would soar entirely out of sight of COM
mon schools and common men.
The announcement of the names OIL
the men who compose the Board, has it.
self, measurably allayed this apprehen
sion in the public mind.
And it is belived, that in no way, cal
all such doubts and apprehensions be S,
effectually put to rest, as by making gen
orally known the written instructions o
the Board to their Secretary.
Again, a general movement of tn,
whole people, in favor of perfeeting tn,
State system of public schools, is the re
suit desired. Such movement, must, o
course, have its agents and directors, bu
it can only make true and permanen
progress. when it has secured the heart
and intelligent cooperation of the grea
mass of the people; and in order to thi
it is essential, 1st, that the people shout
fully understand the purposes and aim
Of the movement. %, that they shout
fully approve them, and Sd, that the
should know the means and instrumeI
talities that are to be used, and recoguiz
them as unobjectionable, honorable, an
likely to be efficious.
It's confidently believed that such
purpose, to be effected by such mean
will be received, not passively and r,
luctantly, but earnestly and with a wi
and an intelligent purpose to profit Their
: BY while on the other hand, any Pate
Scheme, or occult machinery, for ii
speedy and miraculous education of
whole State, whether willing or unwillin
/ that any body of half-wise men might i
vent or undertake, by any measure
! dictation, to force forward, would be spu
} ned with contempt, and perhaps give ri
! to another period of inaction and dea
ness upon this great subject.
; The following is copy of the Instru
: tons of the Board.
: BURLINGTON, Jan. &c, 1858.
C To j. S. ADAMS, Esq, Secretary, &
: Dear Sir II have been commission,
e by the Board of Education, to furni
you with condensed statement of the
! views and wishes, by which they expe
e you to be guided in the discharge of yo
n duties, as Secretary, viz:
: l. 1t is the opinion of the Board th
9 the System Of Common Schools, as nc
:, established by Law, in this State, is
t. good one, adapted to the spirit of our
; situations and the character of our DC
d pie, and capable, by its own natul
e growth, to meet the growing wants
d our communities.
: ?. You are expected, therefore, to
d rect your efforts mainly to the develc
y ment of the system as you find If, suit
+ your proceedings to the condition a
circumstances Of the different commuI
s ties which you may visit, endeavoring