Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-07-27
educational.
Annual Report of the County superintend-
ent of Clearfeld County.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

| Decatur, one, and Huston, one. Nearly all
these are rst-class buildings Anumber OF
old ones have been SO remodeled that they
now present both the comfort and appear
ance OF new ones. One hundred and fifty
| seven schools, and one hundred and fifty four
houses in the county. Eighty of these are
classed as good; fifty one as middling, and
twenty-three as very poor. Many of the
last are injurious to the health of pupils
They should, and no doubt will, soon be re-
placed by good ones. 4 few of the new
houses have been built without any fore
thought or plan, and are disgrace to the
districts. Directors should examine plans
visit some Of the best houses in the county,
and hare such houses built as they want, in
stead of being influenced by contractors, as
is sometimes the case, and allowing them TO
erect such as may be most profitable to them
FURNITURE will class very nearly with the
houses. \ good house, occasionally, has
poor furniture, but more frequently the fur
niture is better than the house. Those class
ed as midiling have insufficient furniture,
and those very poor have none fit for use
APPARATUS. Eighty complete sets of
outline maps are in use, and number of
schools are supplied with charts of various
kinds, such as OsgOod S, Sanders and the
National. In addition to those reported last
year, the directors of Decatur Jordan
Woodward, Penn and Guelich, have sup,
Piled their schools with Globes.
TEACHERS. We have a few competent
and well qualified teachers, but large ma
jority lack In qualifications and experience.
The scarcity of good ones is natural con-
sequence, so long as there is 10 distinction
made IN wages and when rhe salary paid.
III many districts, Is inadequate to assist
them in their self sacrificing efforts to be-
-. Eal IA.
know, however, that We are much better
provided for, in this respect, than We were
few years ago.
MODES OF INSTRUCTION were about the
same as the previous year except, few
teachers forced their pupils, two or three
times, through the different books in sin
gle term or tour months. Few, if any, of
the pupils comprehended the elementary
principles, and the teachers gained consid
cradle popularity in the profession, and were
set down, by patrons and dl' ectors, as model
teachers. How long they will be satisfied
TO he thus agreeably and satisfactorily de-
ceived, remains 70 be seen. The motto
should be, mot how much but how well.
ELEMENTARY INsTRUCTfoN.-It is a mis-
take to suppose that any one, who has only
studied the simplest English rudiments, Is
fitted to Instruct IN primary school, The
iir,t steps are the most diff cult as well as
the most important therefore, the very
best teachers should be employed for such
schools. a. the highest skill is needed
From the bnnglIng processes in the prilna-
~ schools, often springs lasting dislike to
study, and the choicest talents lie motion
less and inactive for the want of skilful
teachers in the primary schools,
parental Co O-OPERAToN.-On the part
of many pareuts greater degree OF lndIt-
ference is manifested, than is consistent
with their relation 10 school matters. Ties
OF the tenderest sympathy should be formed
between their homes aud their schools and
a common interest !nterwoven. This accom-
piished and our schools would become more
extensive in their scope, more complete IN
their departments, and more thorough IN
their efficiency. AS Is the school SO will
be the people, is as true 'as is the teacher
so will be the school. Our most pressing
need TO day, therefore, is good teachers
eachers who will not go by the printed man
uals, asked the printed questions, and hear
the printed answers but living ones, that
will present things before their names and
ideas before words.
DIRECTORS A number of these officers
are active aud perform their duties well We
have few, however, who are opposed to
the system, and others to all measures OF
Improvement More care In the selection of
teachers is necessary on the part of directors
The movement of the whole school is entire
ly dependent upon the teacher. 1t is not to
the incapaclty OF our children, but to the
teacher, that We are to trace want OF pro-
gress in some OF our schools; therefore,
special discrimination and prudence should
be used in selecting teachers, on whom the
welfare of our children SO much depends.
EDUCATIONAL WORK.
ExAIINATIoNs.-Held twenty three pub
lie and large number of private examina-
tions issued one hundred and sixty three
provisional certificates and rejected ten ap-
plicants. Forty directors and eighty
five citizens were present, and appeared
much pleased with the exercises Travelled
one thousand six hundred and seventy miles,
wrote three hundred and fittyfour official
letters and taught eight weeks In the Nor
NAL Institute.
VIsITATIoNs.-With five exceptions all the
schools of the county were visited, and
few the second time; spending, generally,
from two and half to three hours IN each.
In twenty five districts one or more directors
and citizens accompanied me, and in all 20
directors and 95 citizens.
4 NORMAL INSTITUTE was opened III
Clear6eld, on the I'd of May, and continued
in session eight weeks; although small com
pared with former ones, it is believed that
it did some good.
HI.-woRK BY OTHER AGENCIES.
''Clearfeld Academy" conducted by Rev.
p. l.. Harrison, A. NJ, School for Girls
conducted by Miss Hattie Swan, and num-
Der of select schools throughout the county,
assist more or less directly or indirectly in
advancing the cause of education.
DISTRICTS SUPERINTENDENTs.- a num-
ber of districts, the Secretary acted in this
capacity. Where the duty is faithfully per-
formed, by one who has been practical
teacher, the beneficial results are plainly
visible, 1t seems to me this position should
nerer be filled by any other, as the changes
often suggested by an inexperienced one,
only cripple the usefulness of the teacher.
COUNTY INSTITUTE was held in Curwens-
Vile last October, and in many respects, was
a decided success. Valuable information
was impaired to the teachers, by the Hon.
J. p. Wickersham, State Superintendent,
and Prof. G. +. Cady of New York. Some
of our own teachers took an active part.
The election, for our State, being held on
the same week, detained many persons in
terested in the cause of education,-hence
the attendance was not so large as the pre-