Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-12-09
SCHOOLS.
REPoRroF COUNTY sUP'T-r

rfks st2 - thNOASALAE' Ac'n,
j, December 8, 1859.
! Before bringing the results of M,
official labors before the citizens Of tn
County, respectfully ask the priv
ilege to inserta few PREDATORY remarks
The first duty of the County Super
intendent is the examination Of Teach
ers. But as this can only enable hin
to determine their scholastic attain
ments and theoretical knowledge O
the art of teaching, the next step is thu
visitation of Schools, TO ascertain th'
Teachers skill and success in the prac
tiee Of his profession; both Of which
are essential TO the granting Of Ger
tifcate that shall be, in all respects, I
true criterion OF the holders profes
sional qualifications. The necessity
for this, or some equivalent agency, III
the proper administration Of State
System of education, embracing such
an extent of territory and population
as our great commonwealth, must be
evident to all.
Every department of the fabric OF
our Government must have, and has,
its head. To build up, sustain and in
yigorate the colossal fabric of our
Common School system, every link in
the chain of executive and supervisory
officers mnst be complete and properly
adjusted.
Our Teachers, during the past year,
have met the anticipations of their
patrons generally. Of the 179 Teach
ers, but one rendered himself liable to
have his certificate revoked. Many
Compare favorably with the Teachers
OF. other and older Counties in the
State. True, some are still employed
whose places it may be wished might
be supplied by ADLER instructors. tits
to be deplorcd that so few, coinpara-
lively, who engage in this vocation,
seem inclined to make it their perma-
nent profession. The first favorable
opportunity that presents itself is usu-
Fl e.
ally seized to enter more lucrative and
steady employment; and Teaching is
too often resorted to as stepping
stone to more palatable and more
productive occupation.
The most efficient remedy to remove
this evil is to increase the wages. Then
will Teachers not only qualify them
selves better, for the discharge Of their
duties, by the acquisition of more
thorough knowledge of the branches
required to be taught in our Schools,
but what is of great Importance, seek
in various ways to acquire skill in the
art of Teaching. ~
A greater uniformity of textbooks
is very much needed, throughout the
County. The Directors in some Dis
tricts have adopted sets of books to be
used in their respective Schools; and
has been accomplished in
few Schools; yet great diversity ex-
lists in many of them. 4,4
Better local supervision is also need
ed. The law imposes this duty upon
tho Directors. But these, though aware
of the fact, and sensible Of the impor-
lance OF the proper discharge, plead q
want of time, as the law allows them
no compensation for any service rem
dered. There can be no doubt, if the
fathers and mothers would OCCASION
ally VISIT the Schools where from day
to day their children attend, the influ-
ence which their presence would exert
would be seen in the greater efficiency
of Teachers, as well as the advance
ment of their children, and our Com
mon Schools assume that lofty posi-
ton among the agents OF, prosperity
and happiness which their Importance
so richly merits.