Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-02-07

When We referred las, week, to the bin
for the establishment OF q normal departs
men, in each county. introduced by Mr.. VIII
cox we supposed ii to be comprehensive and
practical in its scope and character; but an
examination Ct q copy Of the bill, since re-
ceired, compels the opinion ,ha, it is one Of
the crudes, and most lily diges,ed schemes
for the proper education Of teachers which
could possibly lave been presented to the
Legislature. Itproyides ,ha. there shall be
established in connection with one graded
school in each coanty in this State, having
such graded school, a department to be call
ed the Normal Department The Prin-
cipal Of the school, and the Board of Diree-
tors Of tie district ia which the graded school
is located. are to constitute the Board Of Di-
rectors of the Normal Department, aud are
TO furnish for il the necessary room. The
Principal Of the graded school, j, is suppo-
sed, would take charge Of the Normal De-
pArtmeut. The State to appropriate Ger.
tail sum to the graded schools having a
Normal Department, aud persons studying to
teach, admitted free. The bill also provides
for yearly convention Of the Principals Of
she graded schools. This is the substance
| Of the bill which is sought TO be forced upon
the people Of Iowa as a suitable provision
for the education of teachers.
Let US look a. tie question practically.
Graded schools are established for the bene
ct Of the school districts In which they are
located. Their Principals, in nine cases out
Of ten, have an abundance Of work on their
hands to attend properly to their legitimate
duties, without heing burdened with the on
erous duties appertaining to a normal class
which should have not alone the attention oi
| one teacher but Of several. Again, the
Principals Of ihree-fourths Of the graded
schools this State are not competent te
furnish the kind Of instruction required t.
properly Fl, scholars fer teaching. This is 9
lamentable fact, but nevertheless is fact
which is none the less true because lnde
pendence, or Manchester, or Dubuque, ma,
be an exception. Apply this act to our ow,
schools. Mr.. Palmer, the Principal, is ever
way competent to give normal instruction
,aut his duties as Principal Of the schools, a
they ,ov exist, require all his care and q,
,entiou. J. would be the grossest injus,ic
10 the scholars v.s the district to wiihdra,
the care and talents o. their Principal to b
devoted to o district normal department.
must be . very shallow comprehension
of normal instruction which would imasin
il possible that even Mr.. Palmer could d
Justice 10 both schools. Again, we have D
accommodations fer such department. ]
i. supposed that this school district is to pu
. up another building for the Accommodate
OF normal department which is to benef
the whole county? How would that satst
the ax-payers here? Whatever benefits Il
whole county should be maintained by Il
J whole county. These objections may |
even more aply urged with reference
y nearly all the other counties Of the Stat
!. 1t would be money thrown away to atsem
8 thus to conplicate our school system,-un
ting disiric. and county interests under 0,
/. control. One or the other or both would j
evilsbly be slighted. On the other han
establish distinct county High Schools, viii
y shall admit free Of tuition all scholars in Il
county desirous Of securing their bene6
and capable Of passing examination in i
= quired grade, obtain the best talent possik
t 10 conduct them, making the theory al
r practice Of teaching prominent feature
). the schools, establish also State Norm
. School Of the very highest cast whose ben
FITS may be extended to graduates Of 4
High Schools, and whose graduates won
become tLs competent teachers Of the Hi
Schools, and you will have secnrsd perfe
normal system by which every teaehos in 4
4 State might b., suitably prepared 10 ii
Y par; instruction in oM commen SCHOOLS,