Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-08-07
CONTINUED FROM rInsr PAGE.


strictly adhered to it, with such good
results that sincerely hope every
district will adopt n uniform system
of instructions. Any ono familiar with
the workings of our common schools
will acknowledge its feasibility, es.
pocially when young and inexperi.
onced teachers arc called upon to sny
what and how much pupils shall study,
without even an outline to follow.
Tho sad results of not adopting such
a course is best known TO teachers
of high schools academies, &c., who
are compelled 10 spend weeks and
oven months, in correcting mistakes,
when they should be building a super
structure upon the foundation laid in
tho common schools. Directors, con-
slider well the important subject,
m MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT.
Ihavc no new suggestions to make
with regard to changes or improve
ments in the school law, but expert.
encc confirms my convictions of the
necessity of such changes as | have
heretofore recommended. The num-
bcr Of directors should certainly be
reduced to three, as tho business OF
the district would be as well attended
to as it now is, and these should be
paid a reasonable compensation for
tho time actually spent in the dis.
charge of,thoir duties.
Length of lime,-This is now five
months, according to law, instead of
four, and should be six. The addi-
tional month is generally received, in
this section, with appreciation. 1t
will be decided advantage TO n
Superintendent in this county. II all
the schools have been visited once,
during four months term, spending
nearly half day in each, sixty.six
can be visited the second time, by
visiting three day, during the fifth
or additional month. E
Rules and Regulations Directors
should adopt code of rules and
regulations for the government OF
theirschools. No one movement would
/ think accomplish more for the
benefit of the schools, decrease tardi
ness and absence, and have a greater
tendency to awaken pupils and pa
rents 20 tho true interest Of school
affairs. Impartially and wisely en-
forced by teachers, in due time pa
rents and friends of education through,
out the country would endorse them
Non Attendance.- About five hun
dred children, Of proper school age
did not attend school during the year
or so seldom that it was Of no practica
advantage, but great disadvantage
to those that did attend. That there
should be so many children growing
ap in ignorance, some OF them IL
sight of school houses, and nearly al
in reach of ample school aecomoda
tions, provided for their advantage
is a subject that should receive the i'm
mediate attention of every true frienC
of education. nH tsrH
Fault Finding In a few sections
the schools would be more successful
if citizens would take more interest il
cooperating with and assisting tn
Superintendent and teachers in the
duties. Some, who are never seen il
a school room, are continually findin,
fault Their knowledge or opinion
are generally obtained from thei
children, who are invariably honest
but often mistaken; consequently th
efficiency of the school is seriousl,
interfered with by unfounded report:
Let all persons, who have an interes
in the welfare of our schools, visit th
school room more frequently; and
they see errors in the teacher or dc
fects in tho methods of teaching, the
then have, and not until then, th
legal right to remind the teacher
notify the directors and superintcr
dent.
School Examinations were held a
the close Of the term, by largo nun
Der of teachers. A few held MONTH
examinations with good effect Th
houses were crowded by anxiou
parents and friends Of education, an
the exercises were generally thorough
They are commendablc, for they cor
tribute much to the interest of tn
school and practical instruction.
few conducted theirs on the parrc
principle, which was degrading, an
certainly proved injurious to the chi
dren. There should be distinction
however, between tho abuse of
thing and the thing itself.
ConcluSion.-My last election ha'
ing been declared illegal, on accour
af an oversight in law by the Alto
ney in the organization Of the Bridg
port Independent District, and nj
being an applicant for appointment
This report will close my official CO..
nection with the schools of the count
shall ever cherish and remember ii
honor that has been three times col
ferred by the directors Of the count
and for the many acts OF kndne
received at their hands. To Il
teachers for their confidence and su
port to the children for their mar
little tokens of regard and to Il
many friends all over the countr
whose hospitality | have so often Q
joyed, | return my most sincere al
heartfelt thanks. | have enjoyed h
labors of my position more than tho
of any other to which ! was ev
called. / labored earnestly and di
gently, with but one great object
view--the best interests, morall
socially and intellectually, of tho sew,
thousand children under my charl
That failed in some particulars
meet the requirements Of all, / o
quite willing to admit, as lay
claim TO the rare gem of perfcclio
But if | did what might rcasonab
have beon expected to elevate {
standard and awaken a deeper educ
tonal interest, shall feel that q
labors have not been entirely in va
How far have succeeded in perfor
ing my duty, however, it is now
an unbiased public to Judge. Int