Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-20
y - z -
Maine Educational Board.
THrRp DAY-WEpsRspAY.

The question for discussion was Uniformity
of Text Books. This occupied the time until
the adj journment.
afternoon Sessioa-Mr. d. S. Glidden.
Supervisor of Lincoln county, spoke upon
the subject of County Supervision. He
claimed that the State was the parent and
guardian of her children, and was in duty
bound to educate them. In ease of war she
exacts from her sons service Before max
ing such demand, let these SONS be educated,
so that they may know the nature of the in
stitutions which they are called upon to de-
fend. 1t has been discovered that our schools
are not up to the mark of other things. He
referred to the great Improvement that had
been made in agricultural implements and the
means of transportation, and contrasted with
it the slow progress made in the common
schools. Accordingly the intermediate agency
of county supervision was established to
bridge the wide gulf between the State Super
intendent and the town committees. A vast
amount of apathy had been removed by this
fundamentally. The supervisors were obliged
to strike out upon untried ground, much as
did Columbus when he started out to discover
the new world. He meets with obstacles in
terrified teachers, jealousies of superintend-
ing school committees, and the prejudice of
the community. These things are being
rapidly overcome. He has hard and earnest
work in the school room. He had in his own
school committees and cooperated with them.
Much good had already accrued to the schools
by means of the county supervision. The
board of supervisors, with one exception, are
laboring men, and they are stirring up the peo-
pie to become more and more interested.
Mr.. Stetson said that one of the good offices
of the Supervisor was to pick up all the good
things and distribute them all over the coun-
ty. He had learned that the people were
anxious to have their children educated in the
best manner.
Mr.. J. B. Webb, County Supervisor of
Cumberland, spoke of the advantages of the
teachers institutes. An essay then read
by Mr.. Webb on Examination and Certifi-
eating of Teachers" He esteemed the office
of the teacher the most important, and would
place his qualifications above all others
knowledge and the ability to communicate
knowledge. Reading, which lies at the very
foundation of knowledge, was taught in the
old monotonous way. The child is called
vnrAa fbou m dor Il
ing the ideas. In the examination of teach
ers reading should be made prominent. Arith-
metic is poorly taught. Pupils are drilled on
numbers without the idea of objects. In ex-
aiming teachers in arithmetic he would place
them at the blackboard and have them explain
their system of teaching. Geography is
wretchedly taught. Pupils are confined to
the questions and answers in the books, with
out teaching by objects. He would have the
examination of the teacher in this respect
more thorough and practical. Grammar,
which should be the last branch to be learned,
is now one of the first brought before the
young mind. He would not have grammar
studied before the pupil arrives at fifteen or
sixteen years of age. But he would have the
child trained, at the earliest age, in the cor
rect use of language. Before granting GER
tifcates to teachers, he would understand
their proficiency in all these branches. The
teacher should be able to draw lessons of in
struction from the thousand objects of nature.
He argued in favor Of order and neatness in
the school room.
A paper on Home Cooperation" was read
by G. Z. Hicks, Supervisor of Knox county.
He said that the success of the teacher would
depend in great measure upon home inf1u-
ence No argument was needed to prove
this. We need an educational revival in ev-
cry town, in order to reach the ear and hearts
of parents. Fifty per cent. of the children
are in the streets. If the people understood
the great influence of home and parental
training, the present evils would soon disap-
pear. The teacher should enlighten the peo-
pie on these points, and gain their confidence
and cooperation. Drawing the parents into
the county and town institutes would have a
good effect.
Let the teacher constantly labor to obtain
favorable home influence; let him explain to
parents all his plans, and when they see that
he is really in earnest and interested in the
subject, they will become interested in him
and his school. His paper was confined prin-
cipally to the consideration of the claims OF
education upon the home circle and parental
influence.
Mr.. Stetson looked upon this subject as
one of the utmost Importance. He though,
that home cooperation could be secured by
diligent and persevering labor with the people.
Mr.. Millett of Hebron, an experienced
teacher, said that he had come to this meet
ing with prejudice against the system OF
country supervision, but concluded from wha,
he had heard of its practical working, that
the influence of the board had been salutary.
Adjourned to evening.
Erening Session.-The subject of the even
ing's discussionwas on "School Government