The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-25
For the Jctfersonan Democrat
Common Schools.

Common SCHOOLS
FRIEND CONVERSE :-Estceming, as | do,
our Common Schools tho worry nurseries o!
virtuo, intelligence and morality, and be-
loving that in their healthy action wo have
tho best possible safeguard of liberty, as
we'll as tho best and only possible means for
olovating tho masses of society, and ad-
vancing tho social and moral interests Of all
enr citizens, it seems to mo thoy are too
much neglected; aud, though feel myself
incompetent to say what should DO said, or
say it as it should be said, yet anything is
better than Indifference, and, if l do nothing
but to call the attention of abler minds to
the subject, l shall feel that l have not
scribbled in vain,
Our present School Law, despite tho op-
position it has met, and in somc places is
still meeting, is, on tho whole, gaining the
confidence and affection of tho people,
Under its operation, our schools, as whole,
have advanced 1t gives proof of bcing, in
tho main, good tree, by bearing good fruit.
Wo, as q Stato have bot.er schoo-houses, II
larger number of scholars in attendance, and
more efficient teachers, now, than ever
before. That we have causa of graduation
in this respect, tho able Report of our
worthy State Commissioner abundantly
shows. Still, though VIC have dono much
moro remains to be done; and, though We
have reason for gratitude for tho past, ant
hope for the future, yet wo are by no means
at the point whero it is proper to lay on
armor by, and sing tho songs of an educa
tional jubilee. Neither our schools nor oul
teachers arc cs good as they ought to bo, ol
as We hope they toitl, and intend the!
shall be.
This being so, it becomes us, both a
teachers and patrons, to find out and carr!
out all those plans authorized by our laws
and adapted to increase their efficiency anC
extend their usefulness. Prominent among
the class of means which arc neglected, is
it seems to me, that which provides for al
our schools being visited and examined b.
some competent person or persons, at leas
twice (oftener if prncticablo) during eact
session. In addition to this, would recon
mend that full report of these "examininl
yisitations" DO made semi.annuallv to thu
Township Board. A knowledge of tho fac
that they were to be subjected to such su
pervision, would deter many who are un
qualified and whose only aim in teaching
is to pass tho tmo and get their pay, from
Offering their services, and, at tho sam'
time, would act as a powerful incentive Il
more thorough qualification and NOR
earnest labor on the part of those who, il
view of the responsibilities as woll as tn
wages, onter tho profession with zoal, on
ergy and earnestncss. Section Sixth of tn
law makes this supervision the duty of tn
local directors; but. admitting their compC
teuce. which, in some instances at least, ma
be doubtful, it is yot unfortunately true thi
the mass of them do not and will not atten
to that duty, and hence, for the present, "
must seek its discharge from some otht
source. Some have proposed to meet tn
want by creating the Office of County Supe
intendent but, however we'll this may !
adapted to meet the want, it is liable to I'll
serious objection that, for the present, it
impractlcable; and the question with
practical reformor, is not so much what h
would like to havo done, as what can /
done, and hoio to do it. We find upon o.
animation, that the only other passages {
a the law that can bo applied to this subjec
/ are, that clause of Sec. l6, which says thu
they .(the Board of Education) may appoir
one of their number "acting manager" &c
prescribing his duties, and making provsic
to remunerato him for the discharge of th
same, and that of Sec. 25, providing tha
the Township Clerk, or the acting manage
or any member of the Board, may do an
perform al! such duties and services cor
, nected with the interests of schools, as tn
Board may direct, report the same
them, &c. These not only authorize, bu
mako all needed provision for, townshi
supervision. Something OF tho kind
needed; this has been tried ia some local
ties, and has worked admirably; and aPpe'
r to the friends of education in Old Geaug'
to give it a trial there, and to act noO upo
the subject. Our Spring elections will 500
be upon US, Let tho Township Clerk