Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-08-09
OUR COMMON SCHOOLS.


Report Of the superintendent OF Clearfeld
county, for the year ending the 9Th day
of June, 1871.
The people are slowly but surely
awakening to the great Importance Of
the common school system. They
freely admit its claims and cheerfally
contribute to its support.
New Houses. es.-During tho school
year just ended eleven buildings were
erected, as follows: One in Bell, one
in Brady, one in Burnside, one in
Covington, one in Curwensville, one
in Ferguson, one in Karthaus, two in
Lawrence, one in Morris, and one in
Woodward. They are all large and
commodious frame structures, well sup.
piled with good furniture and ample
black, board surface. Those of Law.
renee and Curwensville are furnished
with Netherlands patent desks, which
have rendered entire satisfaction.
Neto DiStricts.-Two Independent
Districts have been formed. One out
of Pike, called Bridgeport, and the
other out of Lawrence, called West
Clearfeld. The Directors are all
energetic and intelligent men, hence
will discharge their duties faithfully.
New Legislation.--An Act to con.
solidate the common school property
with that Of the Academy of Clearfield
borough, erect large and commodi-
GUS buildings, and thoroughly grade
the schools, was passed last winter.
After due reflection, we are convinced
this is step in the right direction.
We trust, therefore, for the good Of
all concerned, that such an arrange.
ment will be made; that the consoli.
dation, upon trial, will prove satisfac.
tory to all and mark new era in the
educational history of Clear6eld Dor.
ough.
Om.buildings.-A number of houses
have been, during the year, provided
with the necessary out.buildings; but
much the largest number are not yet
supplied. Will not Directors see to
this important matterg
Tedchers.-We have our full pro.
portion of poorly qualified teachers.
Four failed entirely, while Others
merely "kept school," They have
not deteriorated, but some have failed
to keep pace with the educational
improvement. II is absolutely neces.
sary that portion, at least, become
better qualified, either by private
study or by attending some good
school, or quit the profession. The
time has arrived when all teachers
should be able to discriminate between
keeping school and teaching it; be-
tween bare words and learning ideas
between getting lesson to recite and
ono to understand between commit
ting rules and teaching principles
We have some teachers that are ar
ornament to the profession, who &C
outside and beyound the mere text
book, and have the children thorough
ly understand what they pretend tc
learn.
Graded iSchools.-In some of tn,
rural districts the Directors are agi
tating the subject Of graduation, ant
we hope soon to bo able to demon
strate practically its superior advan
tagcs. We greatly need moro care
full classification in many localities
than we now have, and tho best way
TO accomplish this is to establish, il
some central position, accessible from
all points of the district or districts I
school of higher grade, to which thu
most advanced pupils may be admit
ted. Such schools could be established
at Luthersburg, Burnside, Lumbcl
City, New Washington, and Gler
Hope with little or no opposition
and soon other localities would follow
the van of improvement. The iscreas
cd facilities which such schools woult
afford for complete and thorough
public instruction, would be a step
ping stone TO a noblcr and higher edu
cation.
School Examinations or Rcpe,c
have not been SO generally introduced
as was expected. A beginning, how
ever, was made, and we hope th,
Directors will require every tcache
in the county, the coming year, Il
hold one, at the end of each month
The chief aim now seems to bo TO 60
over as much ground as possible, re
gardless of tboroughness or accuracy
i Many scholars are unable TO answe
questions even in the elementar,
branches, which clearly proves the,
have very superficial and imperfec
knowledge of the studies passed over
There is no other agency that wi
promote moro thorougbness and nc
curacy in recitation and excite
greater emulation among scholars
than frequent public reviews or exam
nations. They should not be gotte
up for the occasion, but the teachc
should, in all oasos, allow tho Dire,
tors or q spectator to conduct then
IL being able to tell thing and I
give reason is a true evidence {
education, then I think IL must b
conceded that the theory Of public n
views is productive Of very importar
and substantial benefit. -.
|. Directors. Many boards descrv
special credit for what they have dor
and are now doing 10 advance Ii