Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-12
VI. BOARD of Education,

Mr.. Adams, the Secretary of the Board,
has recently issued circular to the Town
Superintendent of Schools in the various
towns in the State, propoundlng series OF
important questions, having reference to the
condition of the schools and school houses,
to which the Superintendent are requested
to furnish answers, from which much
needed body Of statistical information con-
corning the schools of the State may be com
piled. We mention the matter mainly for
the sake of urging the Superintendent to
comply fully and promptly with the request
of the circular. The Secretary is accom-
plishng all that could be expected OF him,
and more. He is lccturing throughout the
State, comforting with the people and with
teachcrs-arousing public interest in the
whole subject of education, and in general
laboring faithfully and well in his Office
His labors-severe as they are-cannot,
however, be completely successful, without
the hearty cooperation of Town Superinten-
dents, Teachers and friends Of common
schools throughout the State. We believe
the Board have been greatly cheered by the
willing response which has met the efforts of
themselves and their Secretary thus far
We trust that they will continue to find all
the encouragement they hope for.
We cory from the Rutland Herald a no.
tice of Mr.. Adams lecture in that place
mi. L., L..
Adams, Secretary of the Board of Education, was
really one Of the best, on the subject of Common
Schools, we over heard 1t was thoroughly
practical and in that consisted its excellence for
it is not beautiful, finely drawn theories, but
simple, energetic practical action that is to effect
a reform in public schools.
The object of the lecturer was to set forth the
position Of the Board, and to show the general
plan by which the Schools Of Vermont may be
elevated. lie showed that the cause of the low
condition of our Common Schools is not tho lack of
intelligence of Ncrmontcrs. nor the want Of n
good School Law, but a lack or want of mt,r,St on
tho part of influential men. The School system Of
Vermont for the most part, is goods scarcely
inferior to that Of any State in he tnion but it
is the neglect to carry out that system To its pro-
per and legitimate extent, that has made our
Schools so Inefficient The law pertaining to the
examnaton,oi Teachers, in itself sufficiently rigid,
in too large portion of the state has been made
perfect sham either through the shifticssnc's Of
Superintcndeuts or the indifference OF the people
Public attention shoul be reused up, The people
of Vermont have the means in their hands of
having the very best schools, but the trouble is,
they do not make them avail so much as they
ought though in some places they are beginning
to realize the legitimate benefits of our School
System. Mr.. Adams, having visited our High
School and the other Schools Of our village, gave
us the credit Of having excellent Schools. He
even went 20 far as 1" say that our High School,
considering its age, might challenge comparison
with the best schools Of Boston. Every other
village has the means, the powor and may have
just as good schools as Rutland. Six years ago
this village had not even possable or decent means
of education. Now we are proud Of our schools,
and it is simply because We have awaited ourselves
of what the law prescribes
The speaker interpreted many happy il
Illustrations Of the different parts of his lecture
which forcibly brought the subject hoe to every
one present. lie closed by showing the importance
Of every one having feeling and maniiestng an
interest in Schools, and in no way could this be
better done than by visiting the schools often