The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-25

teachers in their several departments. A
Normal School to meet the wants of tho
present day cannot be confined, in its course
Of study, to the elementary branches pur.
sued in the common district schools. Most
Of the young men and women who become
teachers wish for opportunities TO make
larger requirements. and would attend the
Normal School only on the condition Of Its
furnishing the opportunity ofa liberal course.
Candidates for the teachers Office, moreover,
who might he satisfied with very limited
qualifications, need the stimulus OF better
models and the contact with persons OF high
er attainmenis, TO incite them to q moro ele-
waited standard OF professional excellence.
In the earlier establishments for normal
trimming, where the course of study was con-
fined to common English branches. II was
found that students, while they became very
familiar with the important elementary prin-
ciples of knowledge, failed to acquire the in
tellectual expansion, range and grasp, which
more extensive requirements and more thor
ough discipline would have impaired. Hence
the charge not always unfounded, that such
teachers, although limited in their ideas and
attainments. were unduly exalted in the ostl-
mate of their own qualifications. This diff
Guilty has been felt in other States, and their
normal instruction extended and liberalired
accordingly. ProftiDg by their experience,
we would include in our own system, when
fully established. the features which they
have found essential to their highest success,
always bearing in mind thar our own circum-
stances should modify our system to meet our
own peculiar wants.
Connected with each normal school should
be model school, il practicable, where nor
nal students might witness the best methods
OF instruction and discipline in actual oper-
alton, and in which members Of the higher
classes might have an opportunity to test
their skill in teaching.
Those who should complete the course OF
instruction in either grade Of studies should
receive corresponding diploma, certifying
their attainments. and emitting them to
teach in the public schools OF higher or low
or grade, according to those attainments,
without further examination.
This Of course is but an outline, which
would need modifying and filling up before
it should go into operation. On some such
general plan Us this, am confident that we
may establish system OF Normal Schools
which would meet our wants, and satisfy tho
reasonable demands Of the public. Our
present plan has not enough Of character and
efficiency to command public confidence and
unhesitating support. Tho appropriation
for this purpose, divided among so many
schools, must be small for each, the attend.
ancc small. and the results small. On the
other hand, a single school for the whole
State, however excellent in itself, would very
poorly accommodate our widely extended
population. 1t would be practically beyond
the reach of hundreds Of our young teach.
er, who would desire to avail themselves of
such advantages.
In another article will call attention to
the action Of tho Legislature ut its last ses-
sion, directing the Superintendent to insti-
tute inquiries upon this subject. And our
hope is that tho excitemcnts Of tho war,
great us they necessarily are, will not 80 dis
tract the public mind, and paralyzc the body
polite, that the appeal for attention to this
subject shall be wholly lost
Yours truly,
L. =. WESTON.
Ill.