Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-08-28
sUpERINTENDENTs REPORT.
Educational Progress.

GRADED SCHOOLS. are six graded
schools in the county. The true method o
grading, however, is not strictly observed.
A standard qualification for promotion
should be required before such change be
made; but as this is not done, of necessity
the classification must be defective. There
is building in progress in Osceola, which,
when completed, will be one of the finest in
the county and the schools of that place be-
come graded. The question of grading is
being also agitated in Lumber City.
SCHOOL HOUSES AND GROUNDS.-We
have LA school houses, containing 147
schools. OF this number 27 are totally un-
tit for such purposes, and comparing the old
be much increased. Nine new houses were
erected during the past year. Two in Gra-
ham, three in Woodward, one in Penn, one
in Osceola, one in Beccaria, and one in Bell
They reflect credit upon the respective dis
tricts. Very few houses are furnished with
the proper out buildings of them
have only coal or wood houses. Generally,
the grounds are insufficient and lily adapted
for the proper amusement and exercise. 1t
is hoped that patrons may soon manifest
disposition to have the school house and ad-
joining grounds such as may prove pleasant
and cheerful to the pupils.
FURNITURE AND APPARATUs.-Th new
school houses were furnished with good
home made furniture. In this respect all
the modern buildings surpass those built five
or six years ago. Those houses reported
unfit, and some others, have miserable fur
niture, many of them having desks and
seats entirely too high, without support for
the backs of the pupils. For the conve
nience, comfort, and health of the pupils, a
reform in this respect cannot come too soon.
Fifty eight houses, under existing circum-
stances, may be classed as well supplied with
suitable furniture, forty-nine with insult
feent and of inferior quality, and 40 with
injurious. venschools well provided with
apparatus, 10l partially, and 80 wholly
without any, Much remains to be done in
this important work One hundred and ten
schools have insufficient black board surface,
and even much of this unfit for use. All
the districts, but three, have diversity of
textbooks, rendering classification almost
impossible. This has a retardiDg influence
upon the progress of schools heretofore not
fully realized by directors and patrons
There is, however, fair prospect now of
having a uniform series adopted throughout
the county. This will remove an evil that
has become very burdensone to many. We
trust the directors will strictly adhere to the
law and cause an immediate change, as it
will give less dissatisfaction than gradual
one.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SALARIES OF TEAcH-
ERs.-It affords me much pleasure to speak
of the great advancement made by many of
our teachers during the past year. A large
majority of them are young and of little or
no experience, but in short time, by their
zeal and energy, will become first
class teachers. Too much praise cannot be
given to those who thus realize their respon-
sble positions. In few instances incom-
petent teachers have been employed because
better ones could not be secured. The sal
aries have been increased only in a few dis
tricts, but not proportlonate to the wages in
other employments.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION. There is
manifested by many teachers, to
instruct thoroughly, having the pupils not
only to understand, but reproduce what
they learn. A few, however, still adhere to
the old manner of hearing recitations, in
''parrot-like method. s-
VISITS OF DIR EcToRs. In a number of
districts regular monthly visits were made
by directors and patrons, while in few, Wis
itations were nearly entirely neglected. |
find frequent visits to be of good effect. 1t
stimulates the teachers to labor more earn
sstly and faithfully, and renders the pupils
more obedient and studious.
EDUCATIONAL Work DONE BY SUPER
Conscious of the responsible
position, entered upon its duties with no
little degree of anxiety; and to add to this,
found most of the prominent and expe-
.ienced teachers engaged in other and more
lucrative employments-leaving the schools
IN this respect, eveHedn a worse condition
han they were before the establishment Of
he County Superintendency, and to be sup
,lied by those who were inexperienced and
poorly qualified. The necessity of qualify |
ng them for their position was obvious, and |
lcting upon this thought, | opened, on the |
.th of June last, local Normal School in |
Jurwensville, which continued for II weeks. |
was assisted by Rev. A. 81. Sembower.
twenty-five students attended, of whom
20 taught last winter with few exceptions,
ii of these, l am glad TO say, met with en-
ire success. From these results / was in
uced to open another school this spring to
ontinue twenty weeks. secured the ser
ices of Prot. |. s. Geist, late Prof. of Nat
ral Science in the State Normal School, at
iillersville, Pa, who has proven himself
ne of the finest educators in the State; and
~ the deep interest he has manifested in
ehalf of the teachers and the public schools
e has gained the esteem and appreciation
+ not only the teachers but of many of the
eadlng educational men of this county.
)ver one hundred students are in attend
nee, nearly all of whom purpose teaching
he coming winter. The earnest and zeal
US endeavors of these to improve them
elves afford prospects full of promise and
may bespeak, that ere long all of our
chools will be supplied by such efficient and
ealous teachers. Then, and not till then,
ill the ball of education of this county,
oil on, acquiring increased momentum
t each revolution. A movement in the