Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-11-27
VIE ROaId of Education.


PRODUCED by Senator Kellogg Of Rutland
county, who was chairman Of the joint com
mittee appointed to make the investigation.
Considerable dissatisfaction exis ed on the
part of several prominent teachers IN the
State with the list Of school-bOoks recon-
mended. This list contained but three
books in the list now authorized, viz, Hill
lard's Sixth Reader. GuyOt's Common School
Geography, and CIR .enIeafs Algebra. The
other twenty books are unlike those now IN
use.
At the several meetings of the committee,
the members Of the Board and the Secretary
have been present and several well-Inown
teachers in the State have appeared before
the committee and given their views as to
the textbooks recommended. The teachers
present generally preferred different set Of
readers than those recommended and some
of them were also of the opinion that no
good would result from change in arithme-
tics. There also seemed to be some feeling
that the Secretary of the Board had re-
flected upon Vermont teachers, by bringing
?
Institutes.
The investigation has probably disclosed
nothing more than that there IS a difference
among teachers and educators as to text
books Probably the fact that the Board
selected series of arithmetics Of which the
Secretary of the Board is the author, gave
rise to remark but the investigation has
shown that noe improper influences were
used to procure the introduction of Mr.
French's arithmetics, and that the arithme-
tics are probably good as any to be had.
This investigation and the discussions
growing out Of it, have sharply brought
forward various objections to the present
State management Of education. Whether
wisely or not the people of the State have
some reluctance in submitting to much
dictation in matters of education and #
that dictatIon inclInes parents to turn over
their children, without thought, OF with
sense of relief to such education a may be
furnished them, there may be some doubt Of
its value in the long run. Indeed. Is It
quite certain that more individual response
bility is not better than more State control
We print below communication respect
ing the investigation
On .nday evening at o'clock, the joint
committee to investigate the proceedings Of
the Vermont Board Of Education, held IN
adjourned meeting, in the Senate Chamber,
to hear the opinions Of prominent teachers
who had been summoned by the committee
for examination.
The members of the Board, excepting Dr.
" ebber, were present; also Secretary
French.
The gentlemen who responded TO the
summons were Judah Dana, Principal Of the
Rutland Graded Schools y. NJ Butler, of
the School Board of Essex J. ; CiIley,
Principal of Brandon Graded School and
Abel E. Leavenworth, Principal of Beaman
Academy; all of whom were examined
under oath, and at length.
They all testified that they were not there
as accusers, but in obedience to the summons
Of the committee, and were ready and Will
ing to answer any question that might be
propounded to them.
The exam nation was very free and full,
opportunity being given to the members OF
the Board to question those examined, and
to the latter to question the Board in turn
The following points appeared to be
elected
l. None questioned the right intentions Of
the Board OF its individual members.
O. There is among the teachers much
complaint.
First. That their wishes in regard to ex-
change of Readers five years ago, were 50
clearly disregarded.
Second Because of the appointment Of
DR.. French to the Secretaryship. Most,
however, were disposed to submit after the
fact, and to cooperate with the new Secre-
tary, but this had not been hearty on the
part Of all.
Third. That the recent recommendation
Of textbooks is generally satisfactory, ex-
cept in regard to Readers. Many of the
principal schools have adopted the AnalytI-
cal series, and will cling to them. One,
Mr.. Leavenworth, objected very strongly to
the New American Series, because, although
all illusions to the events of the last ten
years. All but one. DIR. Spaulding, very
much preferred the Analytical series.
The questions were very close, both on
the part of the committee, the Board. and
also the teachers. The courtesy which
should mark the intercourse of cultured
gentlemen was strictly observed. The state
ments were frank, pointed and direct, for
the most part.
From the remarks of the educators pres
ent, among themselves, outside the COM
rnitteee rom. it was evidently their purpose
70 meet the questi ming with no bitterness
but with the purpose of promoting harmony
in the future, so far as they could, and main
tain their self-respect. The Board, too,
seemed to court the fullest exploration Of the
reasons for complaint against their action
It was evident that there has been an IN
happy want of sympathy and cooperation
between the Secretary and several of the
prominent teachers of the State.
Its to be hoped that the result of this inves-
tigation will both strengthen the confidence
Of the people in the integrity of the B ard
and also secure from them more regard for
the opinions of the leading teachers, who,
from their connection with the higher schools
and with the teachers OF the common schools.
necessarily lead the educational sentiment OF
the State.
Edward Conant, Principal of the State
Normal School at Randolph; &. d. Mead
Principal of Middlebury Graded School, and
DIR. j. S. Spaulding, Principal of Barre