The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-06


and the fourth is supported, in some
measure, by the fact that only about one
hundred O00,) out of one hundred and
seventy (170) teachers, have read any
educational works whatever; and that
there are very few indeed, whose peda-
gogical reading has extended beyond two
or three volumes.
EXAMINATIONS.
Our examinations were principally oral.
The number of private examinations was
much larger than usual, from the fact,
that, in many localities, there was much
difficulty experienced in securing teachers.
In some cases examined publicly sec
ond time. | also held two special exam
nations in Johnstown, to fill vacancies In
various districts but, after all, [ was
forced to hold seventeen private examina-
tions.
VISITATIONS.
In visiting, my first object was to as
certain, as well as the limited time would
admit, the measure of success attending
the efforts of the teacher. This was as
certaineG from general inspection of the
usual operations of the school. then
gave such instructions 10 the teacher and
made such remarks to the pupils as the
circumstances seemed to require. [ also
examined the teachers reports, and may
here state that / found large number Of
them incorrect. These inaccuracies, [ am
inclined to think, were caused, generally,
by carelessness and inattention to the in-
structions 10 be fonnd in the report books
Much trouble might be saved, to school
| officers, if more care were taken by teach
ers in the preparation of their reports.
No teacher should be employed who
habitually fails to make correct reports.
GRADED SCHOOLS.
There are but Few we'll graded schools
| in the county Want of sufficient and
suitable buildings and non-appreciation
of the advantages of such schools may be
mentioned as the principal causes of this
state of things.
SUGGESTIONS.
It must be admitted that the Common
| School System, in its present state OF de-
velopment In our county, does not afford
to the children sufficient opportunities to
enable them to secure proper education.
! To these vino have carefully watched the
course of educational events, it has become
evident, that, in the thiuly populated and
less wealthy portions of the State, the
present system is inadequate 20 the wants
of the people. The cause of this made
! quacy is not TO be ascribed to the system
in itself 5ut to the fact that it is not prop
erly adapted to the localities referred to-
1t is highly probable that when the
poorer and more thinIy settled counties
increase in population and wealth, the
difficulties now encountered will diminish.
And it can not, even now, be denied that
we are making some progress towards
perfection. This progress Is, however,
slow and must Of necessity so continue.
The law should be so modified as to relieve
the localities referred to, of the obstacles
which now impede their progress
The greatest amount of funds which
can be raised, at the highest rate allowed
by law, is, in many districts. barely suffi-
cient to keep the schools in operation
four months annually; and to do even
this, directors are compelled. TO pay low
salaries and, as natural consequence,
secure poor teachers; whereas, in the
more populous aud wealthy counties, the
schools can be made effective by tax OF
less than onehalf the maximum rate
allowed by law. The following figures,
taken from the last annual report, will
serve to show tho inequalities, in taxation
and length of terms.