The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-01-17
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
There are over six thousand public schools in
the State. And in these schools the youth Of
Iowa, With some exceptions, are receiving all
the education they will ever obtain that is,
school education, which is simply preliminary to
the education Of life. In few places private
schools exist, and come children are sent out Of
the State but for the most part the education
Of our youth depends wholly upon the public
schools 1t is obviously, therefore, . vital
question 90 to the character and efficiency Of
these schools. 4a sii n. 4
Mr.. Thomas b. Benton, for many years at
the head Of our school system, has gone into the
army. Henry A, Wiltse, Esq, of Dubuque, is
now acting in bis place. This gentleman has
been President of the School Board Of Dubuque,
and the respectable character which the public
schools Of that city have gained is largely at
tributable to his enlightened and liberal views,
and to his zeal and enterprise in The cause
We trust his efforts to raise the standard of ed
ucation throughout the State, and to awaken q
more active and intelligent interest in its behalf
among school officers and teachers, will receive
hearty and general cooperation. No other sub
ject Affects 80 many persons. or is more vital to
the prosperity and glory Of State which has
quarter of million of schoolable children.
NJ. Wiltse is now endeavoring, in connection
with the County Superintendent, to introduce
into the schools, . uniform course Of study Of
the common branches in six grades, and to 20.
tablsh the principle that no scholar shsll be ad-
nittsd into higher grade until al the studies
Of each grade below it have been fully mastered.
These measures are Of evident utility, and If
carried out by teachers win soon give new life
and thoroughness to the schoola NJ. W. says
correctly, If teacher finds the introduction
Of the graded system above his experience or
capacity, fails in enabling his pupils to COM
plets grade within time prescribed (eight
months). the District Board win know that hs
il unfit for the position. Thus much needed
check upon teachers viii be established" We
trust grades Of study in the more advanced
branches viii likewise be arranged, and that the
best system, and uniform system, may be in.
>roduosd throughout the State
Some lsgislstion 10 needed, in the towns %.
pseially, for the correction Of ysgrant and tfu
aat children, and to compel their attendance
q school The State owes duty TO itself, -
veil - to such ohildEss, to snatch then from
ignorancs, and vice, and crime, end TO ss,s
thsn from bseoniag burdens 70 the public
treasury. The punishnsnt Of crime sssss more
tAsn would pay for good education. In Dee
Aoinss County, Superintendent Harper reports
74e7 children between end 81, 1905 attend
Ing school, 2e12 sysssgs attendance, leaving
2SS2 not in The public schools at I'll, and 2068
whose sttsndsaos il irregular. The strssts Of
Burlington show during school hours fire.
qusntly . large number Of vagrant children.
There 10 now only one periodical Published
in our State, devoted to the cause Of Edues-
ton" The Iowa Instructor and School Jour-
nA"-published BY Mills, Brothers, Des
Meines, at one dollar per annun. The Editor,
are Mr.. Wiltse, NJ. Ingalls,. Of Nuseasine. b
z. Edison, Of Denmark, and others, With Prof,
N. R. Leonard, Of Iowa City, Mathematical
Editor. These gentlemen are among the most
accomplished educators in the State. Every
school officer, teacher and friend Of education
should subscribe for this periodical. 1t con-
tains the Decisions .of the Secretary Of the
State Board Of Education upon questions ap-
pealed to him from Districts. School officers
may avoid disputes and litigation by reference
to these decisions, which have the force Of law.
Prof Leonard is distinguished for Mathematical
acuteness and thoroughnsss, and will give
great interest and value to his department.
Editors ought to furnish table Of contents
We ere sorry to notice in the last pages Of the
I...... nnnher rood many granmatical ar.