The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-02-18
The Pennsylvania Common Schools.

The Pennsylvania Common Schools
1t is now nearly twentyseven years
since the present Common School System
of Pennsylvania was founded by the es-
tablishment Of the "Scbool fund" in A.
pril, 1881. The original plan was essen
italy modified in its practical details BY
the Cons solidation School act Of 9th June
1886, and the supplement of l2th April,
1888. Still the acceptance or rejection
of the School System was left to the pop
ular vote of each township, so that the
most benightcd regions, where parents
would not give their children an educa-
ton at private schools, and where, there
fore, the public schools were most needed
where just the ones in which the latter
were never established. Thus while in
such counties as Chester, Lancaster,
Northunb berland, &C., this plan accom-
plishcd immeasurable good, in others, as
Berks, Montgomery and Monroe, it was
very inefficient. A long step in advance
was taken 10 April, ls49, when the great
"Act for the Regulation and Continuance
of System of Education by Common
Schools" was passed. This act provided
that the Common School System "be and
is hereby deemed, held and taken to be
adopted" By the people in all the districts
any vote of a wrong headed, stupid ma
iority to the contrary Notwithstanding
And finally by the Act of May 9Th, 1854,
the several laws on this subject we're a,
gain codifcd, and various improvements
introduced. The chief Of these was the
institution of the Office of County Super
iutendent; visiting officer whose duties
are to raise every schoo! in his county to
its proper standard, and to establish uni
formity in the course of study among the
several schools of equal grade.
Thus the Legislature of Pennsylvania
has kept watch from year to year over
the system, and has introduced changes
whenever practical utility seemed to re-
quire them; but ever keeping the great
object in view; to confer upon eyery cbjhl
IN tie State q good Ensljsh Education at
he p"5Fc charge. Every year We have
been drawing nearer and still nearer to
this result The law is indeed excellent;
perhaps as nearly perfect as any human
system; yet there is great want of inter
sst in its workings among our people.
The Superintendent of the Common
Schools Of the State, in bis last annual
report to the Legislature, shows that there
ire 1926 public schools in the State,
Exclusive of the city Of Philadelphia,
which is under adiferent superintendent.
They have been opened during the year
N an average of five months and thirteen
lays. The pupils attending these school,
lumber Sal, PAT; including Philadelphia,
he number is, however, bIieved to be
ousdcrably below the actual attendance.
II the State there are 5000 waiting for
Omission into schools, for want of ade-
uate school accommodations. In Phil
delpbil, Numerous as the schools are,
esides, a,369 applicants waiting for ad
,ission. Som townships have never put
ublic schools in operation at all and it
believed that there are now in the State
81 50 children not enjoying the privilege
common schools. Including the cost :
buildings, the average cost of instruc-
90 cents for each pupil, or about SO ,
. for the FIVE months and half that /
lie schools are open. The total:cost Of |
ic system including all expenses, aud /
cluding Philadelphia, is 81, ,232 $40, or f
IS than 81 per year to each publ. The q
tai number Of teachers employed is l3, t
Is. The average salaries Of the male ,
achers per month is SPA; fem ale teach j
5, $l6.6O. Ia the city Of; Philadelphia. ?
course, the salaries are much higher. &
r there teaching is q profession, and l
It, as is too often the case in the country
crely adopted fer temporary support. f.
ormal Schools and Teachers Institutes .
e doing much to elevate the standard !
education in the State, and raising the =
ofession of teacher to an honorable po- G
ioD, taking equal rank with other learn. b
professions. The Superintendent pays h
high compliment to the school system il
,ich is acknowledged to be one of the !,
st in the country, and other States are j
much impressed with its structure and :,
'rking that they are cndeavoring to +,
ape their policy by our example. There SC
a vast amount of in formation in the 1,
port respecting the operations Of the n,
1ool system in each county of the State, is
d we are pleased to see that there is a fa
tier supervision, more bestowed upon fo
) duties, and gradual and marked Y
provemcnt in the organization and op- =,
'tions of the schools
Cannot be Changed.