Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-02-06
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6. 1873.
School Supervision.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY b. 1873
School Supervision.
1t is in this direction that any efficient
effort for improvement in our common |
schools must be made. Supervision and in
spection are almost the foundation of
efficiency in all kinds of business. The
more complete the work of supervision is
provided for. the more complete the organ
ization is considered. In the Army and
Navy it is carried almost to perfection.
There is a perfect chain of supervision
from the private up to President On
board ship, every man and every thing are
constantly supervised. In a cotton factory,
every department, every room, and every
loom are the objects of continuous, and
exacting inspection. II the simpler kinds
of business there is no lack of this super
vision. No farmer has ''hired hand" tina
he does not keep track of. that he does not
keep at his work.
supervision is neces sary to success in
business. especially where there are en-
it. Human nature is so constituted that we
are all more sure to be faithful, when we
feel that our work is being inspected con-
tinuously by suitable authority. \ wood
sawyer will work better under the eye of
his employer than in his absence. Many
failures in manufacturing business are
traced TO lack of watchfulness over en-
plOyees. Certain men are said TO have
faculty of getting good work out of their
men," Such men are good supervisors,
and their good supervision nets them more
than their personal labor would.
The same principles are applicable to the
business of education. Good School
Houses. improved books. and better teach
ers are necessary, but these without good
supervision will fall far short of making
good schools. Scholars will not study
faithfully unless they are constantly super
vised and their work inspected by teachers
How much study could be expected of
scholars il there were no recitations or no
other means of testing their faithfulness
in study: REGULATIONS are mainly work
OF inspection-abolish them and the school
may as We'll be closed.
Teachers need continual inspection. We.
VINO have been teacher. say it frankly.
Some few make teaching life profession.
and strive 10 excel. but even they work
better where they feel that their work is
Inspected and appreciated. Many resort
10 teaching as only temporary occupation
and they certainly need close supcrvi sion.
Teachers are a Il kelly to be unfaithful a.
any other class of laborers, and where they
are left to themselves Will slight their work
~ quick. The profession is a noble one
but II Is not above the usual imperfections
OF human nature.
Good supervision is necessary to good
schools. and it can immensely improve
poor ones. Do our schools have il? The
law provides that the School Committee
shall visit each school twice. What if a
factory superintendent should visit hi, fac
tory only twice in three months: What if
colonel should visit his regiment only
twice in three months: What If a ship
master should 20 on deck only twice in
three months: What if farmer should
visit his farm hands only twice in three
months: Could they expect any efficiency
in the persons thus scantily supervised:
The committee usually remain in school
about an hour. sitting in state on the
platform, and this is the time they give to
the work of thoroughly inspecting the
work OF one teacher and forty scholars.
The factory superintendent would spend
more time over one operative. and think il
lime proftahly spent. There is very rare
ly any personal examination of scholars
or classes and the committee makes IN
IL report from these scanty views Of the |
subject. The result is that neither teachers
nor scholars feel any supervision. and they |
tend TO deterioration, following the too |
common tendency of the natural heart. |
People see this result and loudly complain
that their money is wasted. More money /
Is raised. better school houses built. |
higher wages paid TO teachers. but the
schools do not improve in proportion.
They need better supervision. and the
question is how to secure it, We cannot
blame the men who are on School Com
mittees. If they should visit the schools
oftener, their towns would fume terribly
over the extra pay. If they should make /
a thorough supervision, the towns would /
be aghast at the size of the bills. They
render more service than they get pay for. |
N.r risrif
Committees must be librally paid, and
required TO make the work of supervision
and inspection. business like in complete
ness and thoroughness. 1t would require |
the whole time of one man to properly
supervise fifteen or twenty schools. He
ought to visit them every week, and al
times spend whole day in inspecting
single school. Such a supervision will
spur up every teacher and scholar who
are now Indifferent and unfaithrul.
BGs the laborer is worthy of his hire.
aud these supervisors must be paid. and
they should have good income. in return
for this devotion of their whole time.
Supervision must be made a business
$500 ''eA'S ." SA1AhN7s Haf. II Wv /
$1,000, school money would obtain better
results by giving $1,000 of it to an efficient
supervisor for his whole time. than BY
hiring extra teachers, or lengthening out
schools. The City of Ellsworth ought TO I
select man worth $500 a year in bust :
ness, and make him Supervisor of ]
schools, and pay him as much as he can 1
make in business. Any business man Z
other men, will say it would be
money well expended. il
Mr.. Matthews OF Hampden, made :
report from the Judiciary Com ;,
mittee at Augusta last week, and advo- :
Gated changing the law. so that attach :
ments Of Real Estate should not take
effect against third persons until they
were recorded. He supported his report =