Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-04-06
REPORT
Of L. c. MOORE, Superintendent Of
Common Schools for tie To,0n Of
Troy, March, 1860.

GENTLEMEN:-Iu giving you his
tory of the schools in the town OF
Troy for the year past, can do it with
feelings of much satisfaction. Yet there
were circumstances which was fruitful
source Of much solicitude. visited the |
schools most of them four times. How |
ever imperfectly it may have been per-
formed, fatter myself that it was so far
performed as will enable me to give you
an idea of the wants and condition of each
school. The schools as a general thing
were of higher order than what they
have been heretofore. The scholars in
the biggest half of the schools showed a
most commendable interest in the various
studies in which they were severally en-
gagged, which to me was a source of much
satisfaction, as it must be 10 every friend
of education. Some Of the schools were
not what could have been desired, owing
mostly from an incompetency to teach
The government in eight of the eleven
was rather commendable, but not what it
should have been. In the others there
appeared to be decided failure. l at
tributed it partly to the teachers, partly
to the scholars, and partly to the parents.
Without union of action on the part of
all concerned, our schools will fail of
having wholesome government. On this
point l wish to be understood to say that
a school without government is worthless,
and a most fruitful source of more evil
than good. The teachers both male aud
female were better qualified as far as
books were concerned than what could
be found generally amongst so great a
) number. Some of them were, must
say, unfit for the station which they &C.
cupied, failing in governing, having no
faculty of communicating their ideas so
, as to be understood.
l would call your attention to your
school rooms. Some of them l found in
a dilapidated condition, cold, inconven-
lent, demonstrated and small, and in nc
r way calculated for comfort. having the
appearance more of g pen FOR caging
birds than that of educational purposes
: Let me here give my opinion in regard
to what they should be. First, / say they
should be of taste, of good convenient
size, well ventilated and every part fan
ciful. There should be attached to every
house suitable grounds for amusement
decorated with ornamental trees. Every
part in and about the house should b.
such as would say to every scholar
" touch me not to do me damage" LIE
me aPprize you of another perceptiblt
!. fault which serves as a barrier in tn,
e progress of our schools, VITA wan
(, of proper judicious supervision of on
=, schools by parents and prudential com
a nittces. Parents should know that thei
/, children attend school, and that they ar
i well cared for while there Prudentia
% committees should see that every thin
-e is done to render the scholars and teach
% ers comfortable. In short l would say
to notwithstanding all of their adverse Gil
IN cumstances, there have been found MOD
of ell schools, made so by model teachers.
re The whole number of scholars owe
four and under twenty, in round nun
bers is $50. The average attendant
was $50. The highest wages paid ma
teachers $25 per month, the lowest So
- rs. The highest wages paid female 81
the lowest So. The whole amount pa
~ for wages, board and fuel, S11.50.