Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-02-21
NORMAL SCHOOLS.

3 II lloyd. Missouri
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The educational interests of this
state demand schools Of preparation
ior the teachers of our public schools.
Nst only this, but public sentiment
IN this instance undoubtedly accords
with the public need, and VIII not be
satisfied without decisive action on
;he part Of the General Assembly al
It's present session. Ii will not an
swer to cry expense /; for more
money is now squandcrcd upon worth
less teachers in one year than would
suffice 10 maintain a iirst-class nor
faal school ten. Far better araropri
i.;e the $4,000 proposed 10 be placed
il new capitol building toward the
establishment Of schools for the prop
II preparation Of teachers for their
work, than cry economy and permit
oar most important interests TO
sGtier for want oi preper support. We
have faith in the devotion of the
present Legislature TO our educational
Interests, and tia, some system of
normal Schools viii be established
before its adjour, ment The allin-
p,rtant question relates TO the l'lan
TO be adopted. The friends of edu-
cation throughout the State offer sew
eral propositions.
l. That the normal department Of
the State University be raised TO its
proper dignity, extent and impor-
tance.
.. That one normal school, Of
Large capacity, be established distinct
from the State University or any 9th
CT organization.
5. That tour or six normal schools
lie established in as many portions Of
the State.
4. That a normal department be
e..al l,shed in connection with some
graded school in each county.
5. That in connection with the first
proposition for improving the present
nornl-l department Of the State L nj
yersity, county l.igh schools. with a
thorough normal department be es-
tabli-hed in all counties containing
saf'ieient population.
Ia considering these propositions
let US bear il mind that the great OBJ
.ject 10 be attained is the elevation o.
our common schools through the i'm.
proyement ofour teachers. That plan
which will reach economically the
greatest number of teachers, and
suitably prepare them for their work
should Of course be adopted. We
propose TO consider the proposition.
in their order.
l. If bu. one normal school is to bs
supported by the State, il woult
seem TO be the more economical plar
II enlarge the present normal depart
lnent of the State University. insur;ns
its efficiency by suitable legislation
No new nachinary would be necess
AIRY, aud large expense in building
would be olyiatei, as comparatiyel,
small additions TO the present Uni
versi:y Accommodations at Iowa Cit,
would probably be necessary. Th,
present primary department eoult
be very economically Topped off, i
necessary to secure more room. TIL,
University conld then be made mor,
State and less an Iowa City affair
Especially would this first proposition
bs dc irai,le in connection with III,
estab is.nnent Of county high schools
Mlieli will be considered under th,
fiih head.
2. The cstablishn ent Of singh
normal sehoo. apart from the Stat
University, would be productive ofn,
greater results, and would be ten time
rs expensive. The only thing in it
iayor would be the isolation of i,
~ snagcment. rendering its sutordin
alton u other college interests i'm
possible. Bat should The Universi.
management exhibit hostility to Ill
normal department, it could be easil
changed, and all rings squelche,
as soon as formed. The great object
ion to . single school. without oihe
provision, and applying with equ.
force to the two propositions aIread
considered, is it's inadeqaacy to tb
work required. Not over four froi
each assembly distinct could be as
nitted each year. buchanan Co, ,fo
instance, employs a hundred teacher
We will suppose that the graduate
oi the normal school be required I
teach five years. AT the end Of 6v
years from the graduation Of til
first four there would onl, be twent
Of the hundred teachers in this cour
ty normally educated. CertainI
more tlian onc-i.lL of our teacher
ought to be prepared for this worl
Far better, however, have one-fift
than none. Ii netting better can I
adopted. let US have at least one moi
NAL school.
8. The establishment Of first