Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-10-09
state Board of Education.


What is the good Of III Thus far, after
close observation Of its operations for many
years, VIC arc decidedly puzzled to answer
the question. We are not aware that the
Board has ever had or inaururated a solitary
idea on the subject Of education Its Secro-
tary has been q valuable officer, has circulated
among the schools, communicated information
aud ideas to the people, and made merio.
rious report, embracing the school statistics
csch year. But what has the Board of Edu.
cation done toward the Improvement or ad.
vauccmcnt Of the cause entrusted to them ?
Where is the one sensible recommendation
the one useful idea; the one real improve
mcat suggested by them
They have taken in hand, mainly, as their
/ chief business, the Introduction Of new books
OF study to our schools. These books arc,
ror the most pari, less desirable than the
hooks they super,cde They are foisied upon
the Suto by the great publishing houses Of
Philadelphia nnd New York, through the
agency Of the Board Of Education Their
list Of books is binding on the schools by
law. and while the scholars are thus subject
to constant expense IN the change Of books,
they derive no earthly advantage from it. In
fact. we have no doubt that If these changes
70 on to a much larger extent, our scholars
will cease to know anything at all. Most Of
the improvements in the text book. are no
improvements. They are shallow and super
+, 6cial The Ariihme'ics are designed 10 rem
der hard study unnecessary. The Geogra.
phies are made to convert the memory into a
mere lumber room of useless knowledge, The
Readers and Spelling Books are constructed
upon the principle Of coucealing the elements,
the principal, Of the English language, aud
rendering the scholars incapable Of writing It
or using it, except mechanically or formal y
In the new system Of books and instruction
very little is left to the judgment, the under
standing the reason of the child; but the
D whole burden Of education is thrown uptn the
memory It is a miserable system whicl
W aims at the accumulation Of 'u'oi'"u''ou "''
p. ''c's IN the m'ud Oh q 'n'''' '''"'I '"'" a
the culture and development Of the judgment
, the reason, the fancy, the Imagination auC
b. AL 'he mental powers r'uo''O"' ~ ~
genuine, ought not to pie up material in The
-, m'nd oil Iup'' out 'r"ln anu p'ooueu "n'
~ c.lrr,a tho mind itsalf hv spftinr if 10 do tn
i e"'A'so inc n'''u ''''l' d! S''''"s u w W. Wv
. Wolk "hlch our hloueIn sc"oo' pooNS "o'
n, a'os''h'r DO 'or IT,
20 Aud we are not aware 'n"' our ''a'' Do"'
L mas ever announced s'"g'e "u' P'"''i'0 u
=. connection "'n inc eu"'a''on OF our y'u''
- Its l"e ha' nee" occuP'o'' MOI J" "'s's' u"
and pronnIg"'ing correct lucas III rosn'o
p discipline ana instruction. but 'n cous'leF'"
:, the claims OF new books auu adjusting tn
IN mere mechanics OF our scnoo' system II
90 not worm TO tue STATE penny "hc'o 1t va
i. cost it hundred dollars 1t Is a cumorou'
expensive needless machine devised IN IN
best manner to involve the districts III expens
without giving any advantage TO the schooi
We hope 1t VIII be swept out 81 existence
The Legislature could easily appoint Se
rotary OF Education Tor the state uehne h
duties by law and under Tue suggestions
=, might make from time to time ana IN u
- light Of facts he might communicate 1t woul
% able TO reconstruct ana perfect our scno'
|urg Va la "a