The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-06-28

gress made by pupils in Geography was
very satisfactory. A few drones found
their way into houses supplied with
these maps, who either through ignor-
ance or laziness, allowed them to hang
dust covered, on the walls, during the
whole winter, as pictures more orna-
mental than useful. To these it is suffi-
cient to say that they must prepare
themselves to teach better, or quit the
profession. Twenty-Five schools are
still wholly without apparatus, while
thirty-nine are marked "well sup
Piled"
SCHOOLS are three graded
schools in the county, employing ten
teachers: the one at Bedford employs
five; Bloody Run Borough three; and
the village of WoOdberry two. A num-
Der of other points in the county should
have like schools; at Centerville, Rains
burg, Pleasantville, .Clairsville, and
ScheIlsburg, they are almost indispen-
sible. No teacher can do justice to six
ty or seventy-fve scholars in a mixed
school; yet we see this number at many
points in the county, in ungraded
schools, and in buildings wholly unfit
for their accommodation.
The whole number of schools taught
was one hundred and ninety-fve, of
which number one hundred and twen-
ty-fve were marked "well classified"
and one hundred and fOrty-eight in
which the books were uniform. The
Bible was read in one hundred and
twenty-five, and number were daily
opened with prayer. In few, outside
ofthegraded schools, the higher branch
es were taught, and in South Woodber-
ry sixty-two pupils studied German.
TIONS.-Nineteen public
and seven private examinations were
held. SiXty-eight directors were pres
ent at the public examinations. AT
one examination alone full board was
present, and at fourteen a quorum.
! Two hundred and tWenty-three pro-
visional certificates were issued at the
public, and thirteen at the private Xe-
aminations. No professional certifi-
Gates were granted. Five certificates
were renewed or endorsed from other
counties; three certificates were annul-
led, and seventeen applicants were re-
iected. Average grade Of certificates,
| 2.52. A number of certificates were
issued of much lower grade; many with
rs and some with SIS.
TEACHERs.-To meet the demand
for qualified teachers, a County Normal
School was again opened, in August
last, and continued eleven weeks. One
hundred and thirty-one students were
present, sixty-four of whom taught
| during the winter A number of other
schools in different parts of the county,
under the charge ofcompetent teachers,
did good service in preparing young
men and women to teach, so that in
point of number, the supply was equal
to the demand. In few instances,
local prejudice employed persons of a
much lower grade of scholarship and
| inferior teachers, while others, more
worthy, but from neighboring town
ship were rejected. Such short-sighted
policy can only work injury to the
schools. The best teacher should al
ways be preferred, though he or she be
! from 'acrOsS the mountain OF the
whole number employed, one hundred
and tWenty-siX were males, and sixty
nine females. Seven males and one
female, proved total failures, and were
dismissed. A few others managed to
have things in working order when
visited, but on the whole were incOm-
petent, and had mistaken their calling.
About one hundred and seventy gave
good satisfaction, doing, all things
considered, as we'll as could be expected.
Fifty-nine had no experience, and sew
enty had taught less than one year;
one hundred and twenty-five had at
tended the County Normal School one
| or more sessions, and one hundred and
thirty-one claimed to have read works
on teaching. The average age of the
teachers employed was about twenty
one years.
VIsITATIONs.-Who number of
visits made, 212; average time spent in
each school SO hours. All the schools
except four in the county were visited,
three of which were not open when l
was in the district. A number were
visited twice, and some three times.
Twenty-eight visits were made with
directors, and few with patrons.
Whole number of patrons or citizens
found in the schools, II. Most of the
time spent in the school rooms was de-
voted to taking notes, observing the
method of instruction, and giving such
aid as was deemed necessary; the length
of the visit always depending on the
condition of the school.
No County Institute was held during
the year, and but one township, ST.
Clair, sustained district institute.
Twenty two private schools were o.
pened during the year, employing %
teachers. S53 pupils attended these
schools, at cost of about $4700.
While we did not make as great adj
vancement in building, furnishing, and
beautifying school grounds as we might