Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-06-17
GENERAL CONDITION OF SCHOOLS.
The year 1869 was one of general pros
naritv for tho schools of tho cOnntv

GENERAL CONDITION OF SCHOOLS.
The year 1860 was ore of general pros
perity for the schools of the county.
During the year "a School Houses were
erected, many of them good substantial
buildings, pleasantly located, conveniently
arranged, and furnished with patent COM
bination desks, ample black boards, maps,
globes, charts, &c. and nearly all of them
provided with suitable out-houses. But
Iregret to add, that, in many sub-districts
in the county, the absence of out-build-
ings or their dilapidated- beastly-
condition, is burning shame, a standing
reproach to our civilization. The sub
director may plead want of funds,
or the fact that he receives no pay for his
service, in excuse for his negligence in
this respect; but, for the teacher, who,
not only quietly submits to the personal
insult, but as quietly witnesses the blight
ing effects of such surroundings upon the
moral natures of the children under his
care, can think of no apology.
Many sub-districts are yet to be sup
piled with school houses, while the rapid
increasing population of the older districts
begins to demand more spacious, conven-
lent and healthful accommodations; in
deed the work of rebuilding has already
commence in some parts of the county.
To prevent the further squandering OF
public funds by the erection of defective
buildings, ! would suggest the propriety
of securing set of approved school
house plans, with specifications and esti-
nf e,1, ode Nf a
to the wants of both rural and indepen-
dent districts. These with blank building
contracts should be furnished, on appica-
ton, to AL school officers.
During the year the average length of the
school term was increased from Il. to IL
months. The aggregate attendance was
increased by SO, and the average attend
ance by 1S0; the number enrolled being
less than 20 per cent. of the number
entitled to schooling, and the average at
tendance being but G2 per cent. Of the
enrolment.
The standard Of qualifications necessary
to obtain a teachers certificate, was some
what advanced during the year and a few
incompetent teachers We're discharged
before the completion Of their terms.
The annual County Institute of Noyem
Der last, was the largest ever convened
in this county, and its good results were
noticeable in most Of the schools of the
county. Monthly meetings of teachers,
for mental Improvement, were held,
during the winter, at Quasqueton, Win
throp, Mudville and Jesup. These meet
nrs do much to stimulate thought,
awaken enquiry, keep up the enthusiasm
and improve the methods of those who
attend. The general introduction of i'm
proved methods of teaching and the
present approximate uniformity in dis
cription and general management Of
schools is largely due to this agency.
The increasing demand for first class
teachcrs-Whch for the last three winter
terms largely exceeded the supply-indl-
Gates growing desire for better schools.
and has resulted in calling to our county
many excellent teachers from the counties
adjacent.
And although the limited supply OF
competent teachers, the strange policy OF
directors in changing teachers every
quarter, irregular attendance, diversity of
text books, defective classification, poor
school buildings, and the almost universal
want of sufficient black-boards and ap-
paratus, greatly retard the progress oil
our schools; yet we may find much OF
encouragement and promise in the present
condition of our educational interests.
The great educational want of our coun-
ty to-day, is corps of well qualified
teachers, and no permanent improvement
in the condition of our schools can be
effected until this want is supplied. so
great is the necessity, so general the de-
mand for higher order of qualification
for teaching, that l think the county
should at once take measures for the
establishment of county Normal school
under the provisions of chapter ia, OF
acts of the last General Assembly.
The ability to successfully organize,
govern and instruct school is not a
natural gift, but must be acquired, either
by course of professional training in a
Normal school or by actual experience in
the school room. In either case the
teachers skill is acquired at the expense
of the county. The expense OF Normal
school being met by direct taxation, while
the skill acquired by the experimental
process costs the district nearly the full
amount of the teachers wages during the
first two or three terms of his experience.
We cannot, if we would, avoid the cX-
pensc. The Normal school method would
seem to be the least expensive, and con
sidering the interests of our schools, vast
ly the better way of educating our teach
ers for their important work.
Again, to bridge the immense gap be
tween the common school and the college,
we need central High School which
shall be open, tuition free, to the adyanc-
ed pupils from all parts of the county.
In the absence of such a school, tho
ambitious pupils of our county, who arc
not content with the limited range
of common school studies, crowd to its
utmost capacity the higher department OF
the excellent school at Independence, OF
are forced to seek similar advantages il
the more fortunate counties around us
condition of things in no sense credit
able to our public spirit or intelligence.
A county high school established, undcl
the provisions of the act above referred
to, by combining in one institution tho
advantages of the normal and high school,
would fully meet both OF these grea
wants, and while greatly increasing The
efficiency of our common schools Woult
bless hundreds of the future citizens o.
our county with the unnumbcrcd advan
tagcs of more liberal culture, who, with
out such facilities, must graduate iron
the elementary district school. ! hope
gentlemen, to be able to present to you
honorable body, at its next regular ses
sion, a petition signed by the nccessar.
number of electors, asking that such ;
school be established in the city Of indie
pendencc.
In conclusion, let me gratefully ac
knowledge the uniform kindness wit
which have been received by the peopl
during my school visits. l am happy t.
bear testimony also to the earnest, faith
full and efficient labOrs of large majorit