Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20
Our Public Schools.

NJ J. 2. WILLIAMS, COUNT sCFE"'N1ENoESF'
Having completed my visiting tour
among the summer schools, perhaps !"
brief statement Of their condition may
be of interest to your readers. Sixty
two schools have been in session during
the summer term, taught by 3 male
and 50 female teachers. While visit
ing these schools I,found enrolled 1900
names, and present 100 pupils. Taking
this for the basis of general average OF
attendance, it is 73 l-3 per cent, leav-
ing over / of tho actual members OF the
schools absent every day. Many dis
tricts have not had summer schools for
the want of funds. The progress ofour
schools compared with those Of last
summer is as follows: General average
of pupils in their rccitations OF. the scale
Of 100, last summer SO, this summer II.
Teachers were marked in the theory and
practice of teaching on the following
points order, manner of conducting
rccitations, correcting mistakes ofpupils
and illustrating the subjects taught.
General average last summer 81, this
summer IS. There is one in Racine
and one in lie Roy marked 50, and IL
marked 80, one in Frankford, one in
Racine, two in Pleasant Valley, one i'll
Waltham, one in Lansing, ono in Austin,
two in Lyle, one in Nevada and two i'll
Le Roy. The lowest marked 25. One OF
the greatest hindranccs to our educa
tionul interest, is the idiffertnce oi
parents, from this comes SO much tardi-
ness aud absenteeism, and the general
want If interest on the part of'the chill
dren.
On tho sixty.two registers kept this
summer in the county, not one hundred
visits trom parents are recorded. Far
enty should visit their schools, at least
once month, encourage the teachers by
their presence, cheering words and kind
suggestions, and stimulate their chill
dren to perseverance and e1cellency.
Another great detriment to our schools
is the incompetency oftcachers. They do
not have a clear understanding Of what
they teach. We cannot teach success
fully that which we do not comprehend.
But our ability to excite the intellectual
activity Of our pupils, is the true meas
ure Of teaching power, to do this, certain
conditions are necessary. In the first
place We cannot exert much influence
over our pupils without their confidence.
Children must have faith in their teach
er. Confidence in leadership is one of the
great moving powers of the world, and
nowhere is it of moro Importance than
IN the school room. We cannot deceive
q child to gain his confidence and to
keep it, these things are required,
ample knowledge, entire honesty, and
warm sympathy. Equally important
with the attainments Of their confidence,
is the possession Of their Affections
This will enable Us more easily and sue
ccssfully to govern our schools, as it will
give us strong influence over ou: pu-
pills which VIC cannot have unless we
secure their love, and children will lcar,,
much more readily under teacher whom
they love. TO win their love there arc
two requisites: Love for children, and
enthusiasm for our work. Let US strive
to be more efficient by being moro kind
and faithful in the discharge IF our
duties.
am becoming more fully persuaded
that Two months school in year, taught
by competent teacher, is Of far moro
service than eight months labor of an
indifferent toachcr. Eight months of
routine recitation, in which tho intelli.
gencc Of the pupil is seldom, if over
aroused, may leave tho child with an
older intellect, but it will not make him
a thinking, reasoning, and intelligent