Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-09-30
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNTY
SUPERINTENDENT.
CLEARTIELD, Sept lSG,


Not having received my appointment
as County Superintendent until short
time before the expiration of the last
school year, it will be impossible for me
to make a full report of the condition of
the common schools Of this county.
The official labors and observations of
my predecessor are not of record. No
statistical notes seem 10 have been taken
of last years educational operations, from
which | might make a :epcrt for the por-
ton of the last school year when he was
the acting officer.
At the time OF the receipt Of my COM
mission, April 9th 1863, many of the
schools OF the county had already closed,
while others were about closing; conse-
quentIy, but few Of my own official acts
can be embodied in this report
ScHooL HOUSES. The number is l37.-
For the reason already sta:ed, [ am una
bic to give the exact number erected du-
ring the year, or how many arc unfit to
be the training places Of youth; but we
have large number that are very obiec-
tlonaJle, either in the mseyes or in point
OF location. Some are situated on bleak
hills without a tree to shade them Others
are located in the woods, where nature
dlsdalns the work OF art, some are not
sufficiently ventilated, and others have
too much air. In our recently constructed
school houses which have beer 6uilt
generally according 10 plans in the School
Architecture, a decided improvement has
been made in the size, location, and in
ternal arrangement. They are an orua-
ment 10 their respective localities, and
effect great credit on .he directors. The
furniture Of the new houses is well adapted
for the convenience and comfort Of the
scholarS-thr black board surface suiii-
clently ample, bat all are deficient in
school apparatus.
GRADED Schools - The only graded
schools in the county are Cleariield and
Curwensyllle boroughs. In the rural dis
tricts the schools are ungradod and i'm
perfectly classified, the latter is owing to
a troublesome variety of school books
A want Of uniformity in textbooks is
seriously felt in our county, and is Sc
rious obstacle to the prosperity and pro-
gress OF our schools. 1t prevents proper
Classification of the school, distracts the
efforts Of the teacher and reaTds the
progress Of the scholar. While many OF
our districts have complied with the re-
QUESTION OF the law in adopting uniform
series of books, yet it is 10y no means as
general, as il should or even might be-
ExAMINATIoNs. Il have not the means
Of ascertajuing the number Of certificates
issued 10y my predecessor during the last
year. Since my appointment teachers
have beer examined privately, at the re-
quest of the board OF directors employing
them. TO I of the applicants provisional
sertihcates for one yeaI were granted, ?
for one term, and rejected. Hereafter
all teachers will be expected to be pub-
licly examined as the law requires. My
method Of examining teachers IS chiefly
oral, and much the same as have pursued
with classes in the school room. ! never
ask questions with the design Of pulling,
always tell whether answers aIe right
or wrong, and if wrong correct the error
and explain the reason for il. ! have no
set list of questions, but ask those which
occur to me as su table, and are best cal
culated TO test the extent of the candid
ates' general knowledge, as well rs his
readiness, tact, and power to impart that
knowledge to others. ln orthography ard
grammar, the candidate is required to-
write the words and sentences on the
blackboard, and in turn is called on to
give an photographed, chronological and
syntactical analysis. IN written arthme-
tic, ! usually commence with elementary
principles. write a few easy practical
problems in the various rules on the
blackboard, and require solution and
explanation Of each question from the
teacher. In this way the candidates
knowledge of principles, As well as his apt
ness to teach can be satisfactorily obtain
ed. Besides the oral method is in my
Judgment better adapted to arouse the
interest and secure the confidence Of
teacher, directors and citizens than the
written.
DISTRICT INsTITUTEs-Hav been organ
lied generally throughout the county, and
where properly conducted, and kept in
successful operation, they become a power
ful agency to excite a spirit of emulation
among teachers, and awaken an interest
in the people. The one at Clearield Bor-
ough which embraced Lawrence township
was well sustained and deserves special
mention
TEAcHERs.-lt is gratifying 20 learn that
the number OF good teachers in the coun-
ty, Is increasing beyond .expectation -
Many were added TO our number last
year, and further additions ] trust will be