Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-09-06
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNTY
SUPERINTENDENT,


were erected, one in each of the following
districts: Beccaria, Bradford and Pike, at
an aggregate cost OF 81, $50. These houses,
though not first class, are creditable to the To-
calities in which they are situated. They
are one story frame buildings, substantially
built, we'll lighted and ventilated, and with
the exception of the one in Beccaria township,
favorably located. fairgrounds belonging to
the new houses are not yet fenced or provid
ed with the necessary out buildings. Play
grounds, shade trees and other improve
men.s that have tendency to make the
school house and its surroundings pleasing
anu aftrse.;ua receive but little attention.
The new house In f1he 80 hnilt on n pleas
ant lot containing nearly an acre OF grpund.
The lots for the houses in Bradford and
Beccaraia, are too small, containing only one
fourth and one-eighth of an acre each. Ii
our school houses were constructed with a
view more to the comfort, convenience end
health of the pupils, the school grounds
neatly enclosed and ornanented with shade
trees, with ample space lor healthful exer-
else and amusement, going to school would
be considered a pleasant duty, instead of a
disaereeable and irksome task, as is now
too often the case We have al school
houses in the county: of the number So
may be classed as good, 81 can be made COM
Portable by repairs, and 22 are entirely unfit
for ue.
FURNITURE. houses, except those re-
Gently erected, have been supplied with new
furniture or apparatus SINCE my last report.
The new ones were furnished with good con-
venient and well arranged double desks, and
sufficient black board surface. In one house,
there is defect in not grading the seats, so
as to adapt them to the different sizes of
pupils The schools are still deficient in
suitable apparatus, black k-boards, alphabet
cards, few outline and reference maps.
constitute the only apparatus found in ma
i0r.ty of the schools. | am informed that
within the last month, the directors have
made arrangements to supply 81 schools
with full sets of Cornells outline maps.
ScHooLs-Whole number AS; number
of schools graded, 2; number imperfectly
classified, 81 !; number in which the Bible is
read, 9l No new graded schools are es-
tablished. In Clearfeld and Curwensville
boroughs, the school term has been length
ened to six months The grading of the
schools, though not yet what they should
be- was more strictly carried out this, than
the two proceeding years. The branches
taught, in addition to those made In the
provisional certificate. are history, compost
ton, algebra and philosophy. We have no
schools wholly unclassi6ed. but the ciassifica-
ton in some is very imperfect. This results
from irregular attendance and the want of
uniform text books.
ExAMINATIoNs.-Seve publice xam-
nations we're held attended by "a directors
and 1913 citizens Teachers examined, 1876;
number of provisional certificates granted,
III; number renewed, 9; number endorsed
from other counties, %: number of appll-
cants rejected, 10; lowest figure on provls-
ional certificate, 4; average grade q. Ow,
ing to the great sacrifice OF well qualified
and experienced teachers in this county last
fall, the average qualifications We're some
applicants were examined privately, at the
request of the different boards of directors.
employing them, in order to fill all theI
schools during the winter season. The time
spent ought to have been employed in the
visitation of the schools then in operation. 4
The examinations were generally well at 4
tended by directors and citizens, who mani
tested a lively interest in the exercises. Att
one appointment I failed to meet either
teachers or directors. examine by the or
al method in all the branches, except spell
ling and penmanship. prefer this plan be-
cause it proves mere interesting and salts
factory to directors and teachers than the
written method. No permanent certificates
have been granted.
TEACHERS whole number of teach
ers employed was I65, of whom 35 were
males and 13O females. A number of our
best teachers have left the profession to en-
gage in more lucrative employment, many
of the schools were taught by young and IN
experienced teachers, most of whom, how
ever. rendered better satisfaction than was
anticipated. Three fourths of the teachers,
during the past year. were females, and the
general success IN teaching and governing.