Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-10-17
NORMAL AND COMMON SCHOOLS.


For msny years there as been an increasing
strength of public sentiment in this State Ia
vorabe to the adoption of some adequate
means OF supplying more specific course OF
instruction ior The teachers Of our common
schools. Ills sentiment has increased very
rapidly, ana la become more nd more Il ia
ed within the past, few years until the
great majority Of thoughtful friends Of popular
education seem thoroughly united in desiring
the establishment OF some system Of State
Normal In truction.
The national troubles en- the very large
expenditures induced thereby have hitherto de-
clared any attempt 10 inau .urate SUCH system
as would respond to the general demand; for
whi.s I'll have been united il opiaon thai - were
il du;y bound 10 .ose nothing If the gr0uud
alle4dy gained il the field OF educational lsb3r,
al nave equally agreed that the heavy burden
oi our taxes rendered II unadyis4b,e to undertake
any new enterprises, however IaudaOle, which
mus necessarily increased Sc arSely the state
burdens as would De done by the atfenp 70
esteblish system Of S.a,e Normal Schools
siloi6r 10 those OF some IS ,-.g s.s.oi o.-.o..
WIlhin The last year. 5 WY seems 20 have
been opened by which beginhing may be
made ii the accomplish ment Ci this important
WORK, and At very slight eXpeuss ID the State.
The Trustees of Orange County Grammar
SchooI-an Institution OF established character
have proposed to the soard Of Eauc..ion 20
surrender up the use OF theil school property,
for term of years, for the purpose ii co0ysTs
ing their school jGt0 State Normal School /;
the Board Of Education ID establish courses
of study, the first 10 include all the branches
required by law 10 be taught in the common
schools, and me second to be mare rigid, and
to require IN it5 mas era a years longer time.
I IT,. Road 70 . fha ana tinafIppa far
admission to and graduation from the school,
ard to attend, by its agents, upon ali exanin-
atIoIs, ana decide who shall be allowed 10 en-
ter aad 10 graduate; the Board To nominate
the principal, and the trustees 20 engage as
principal no other than some person 50 oo.nia IL
ated by tue Board the Trustees to keep the
school property in good Re pair, aGd to deter
mine the rates OF tuition, and 30 receive the
same Tor their own benefit ; gra yates from
the trs: course to receive certificates which
shall inure 20 tGeif benefit as Qualifying them
to teach in any common school N the State for
FIVE years and graduates from the higher
course to receive credentials which shall avail
them as perpetual certificates This PROPOSE
tion has been approved by The Board Of Edu-
cation, and will appear AT length in The report
| of their Secretary, and al tneir request COM
I mend the subject to your careful consder.-
| ton.
L recommend tie enactment OF !aa by
" hich the Board OF Education may be esnpow-
cred t. accept he proposition referred TO, and
also to accept, in their discretion, simil1r pro
positions fro m other schools in different l2r,s
of the State, and to carry the conpAc,s
that will result from such ptsaces-oy al.
tending, in person or by agents, the examina-
tions tor admission TO and graduation from any
schools thus adapted, and granting 10 gradu
| ates the appropriate certncateS.
| desire also TO commend Ia your attention
the matter of the authorized list OF schoo
textbooks, a somewhat extended discussion O
which will be found In ,he report OF the
Board of Education to your honorable bo0y
the original selection of school books wa
made in 1859, to expire III 1864 g.; but IN.
time originally appointed for its duration wa,