New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-12
Netp1)ork DAILY I-ibm,re
HINTS ON COMMON SCHOOL EDUCA-
TTON.

the National Teachers Association held AT Washing
ton, ID. c. We commend il to a careful perusal:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: have listened to many eloquent
speakers and profound thinkers on occasions like the
present. Of whose devotion TO the great cause of Edu-
cation could have no doubt. Yet have invariably
observed that these have directed their dsconrses and
power TO what is usually termed higher education ITO
the professions of law, of medicine, of divinity, &c,
scarcely audiDg TO or recognizing the humber
vet far more universal If not more useful and import
ant occupations pursued by the great Of the peo
pie. NV sympathes are with the toiling millions, and
in THEN name | would ask, What il law what d.
vinity what medicine what the higher culture, th
higher Iesus, the sublimed applications affecting tn
moral and spiritual 30 constal tly dwelt upon dis
connected from the practical instruction which takes
coglizance Of the realities, the occupations, and the
material struggles which make up the life experience
of ali of u-1 The sysems OF instruction hitherto &C.
vhed have been designed for the education and en-
tighter ment of the few who represent wealth, place,
and power in the community. We now want sys-
TEN adapted TO the vacations and needs OF the great
msts Of the people, which, commencing ut the elements
OF practical science shall educate its pupils thoroughly
and efficiently in all that pertains to the every day
Ut de of common life. The want of su:h a universal
system originally led to the establishment and perpetu-
alton of the occupations of law, divinity and medicine,
that few favored individuals might be educated to
settle the disputes solve the doubs and the all
Of the undeveoped coDfding and non-self.reaot
millions who, having fallen into these ills through
ngly 10 their professional arbitrament
"The non-appGcaton of principles tOpractce, the al
most entire absence Of illustrative apparatus, and OF
oral illustrated instruction with complete ignoring
OF anything like recognition in the Common Schools
and in the normal education bestowed upon teachers
who specially designed " exercise their profes
SIGNAL vocation in the Common Schools of the humber
occupations by which the great Of the people OF
this country earn their bread is overshadowng evil
which has often been animadver ed up0n and which
his filed the country with non-prodncve horde OF
helpless Young men and women with pretensobs and
aspirations which they have available capacity to
realize. enter my earnest protest against the con-
tibLance of tins memorlzDg, unna ure UNEQUAL mel
cient and t0peoDy system, and would call upon tins
Association, bearing national title and assembled at
the National Capital to make specific effort toward
the preparation of thorough and complete course OF
practical instruction for the Schools Of the United
States. With this view, submit the following series
of questions designed TO elucidaie the best method OF
educating the pupils of our Common Schools in the
specific knowledge necessary 10 enable them to gain
their livelihood and TO meet the necessities Of common
life.
pills. girls and bOyr who must receive their entire
school education in the Common Schools, may be emu
mtrsted NJ follows:
or no reference 10 Agriculture in It's intelligent and
scientific relations thereto; instruction in this branch
being absolutely unknown IN the Csmmon-Schooi
course.
ment of women which is almost universally pursued
without any knowledge Of reference 10 science OF
domestic economy, or an understanding OF the laws Oh
health and dietelics. Who ever heard OF instruction
in domestic economy in Common School in this coup-
try i y.oa,oo.h .. oonnsctsa with the
home wardrobe and manufacturers an employ that
has pIematnTey bghed the bloom, the happiness, and
life of millions of women in every age, especially
where Chri.tiapity and civilization have prevailed.
CIV. Machine and other Manufacturing operations;
employ ments that engage million of perrons great
of rbnfnu
intelligent bass upon which they supposed 10 work,
as the cast metal placed in their h8Dds-a fact that ac
counts for the indifference and general want OF interest
and conscience manifested by the great body OF TINS
class in any thing they hired to do Little or no in
stIuction has ever been given in Mechanics or In the
eomnonest knowledge required IN the pursuit oil these
employmeuts in the Common Schools. 80
dV. Trade, Commerce, Navigation, and Mercanuie
operations. Instruction III the rudiments and general
principles involved in intelligent prsnt OF these oc,
cupatons should be made part of the professional
teacher in the Conn on School. The general preva'
lence of fasehood, deception ard ffaud among sales
men, under the and encouragement oil ein
tlo, err has become notorious, and demands exposure
and correction at the hands Of the educators OF TIE
Young. m, o,,o
and importance of detailed aud reliable statistical nor
nation relating and affecting Educational ana III
austrja progress individually aud generally, can hsl1
" be realized. The almost universal want OF snch
available information is an evil demanding imneuiate
action on the part of educators and the TRENDS OF r
progress among The people. The Eighth Nauonai Yen
sur IL 10 be taken during the year 1891 and anofos
cspal opportunity for immediate and effective acton
iD this diIectiop A schedule naming the kinds OF IN
formation neeoed should be carefully prepared ana IN
medsteIy sent 10 Mr.. Kennedy, the Chiei VI the Ce
sus Bureau.
Hence woud ask, tn what extent and by WHAT
methods is it practicable to introduce spechc nsIruc
ton in the following branches, ana 10 nuke us" ei
fectiye parts OF the legal course Of study ID ali our
n, Sci ne
ward introducing any Of them therei also, 10 make
them part of ,he professional course OF Instruction IN
The NoIIal SCHOOL,
the farm nd the garden coupled with practical Illus
traitor aud appcaons to be conducted chiefly at the
homes of Tire pupils girls and boys, under the decuoh
of the teacher and care of parents. ~.
OIL Ia the scence of Household Management, Do
neste Economy, and Dietetcs, affecting common
cookery home comfort and good ORDER aleo the SCI
ence and art OF Dressing effectively impaired oy eoo
teacher in school, with practical illustrations ana APP
nIcatiops conducted mainly at home under the care
and Owe of mothers thus intimately combining the IN
terest of the teacher pupil and parents IN lne aooS
and success Of the classroom and removing hi ooJec
tion often ral,ed that school and home Influences are
intagonis,c, and frequently neutraile ana oeofaiNo
the best intentions and efforts of the teacher.
III. In Mechanics practically illustrated ana AZ,
nled in labor saving devices adapted to the nousenou
and farm, and especially such as anect tne eu.ploy
uents of women, together with sewing ana o'ner ma'
chimes. az part Of the regular school apparatus.
w In the principles Of Mechanics, ~ adaPted 70
the work shop aud n,apufsetory, win aetuai sPPnoa
tons and illustrations by the teacher III ana OUT VI
school. II, ..;aorod a..
psn element and means of instruction in the school,
room The Press, 10 the mightest engine Oh hunan
,ropTees the teemiDg library OF the mlilon tne omu
iresent voice. giving expression 70 tDe tuousoi
diseoveres nveahoDs, and intellectual ''hueS Vi THO
VI. In Physical Training, Gymnattcs, Calisthe-