Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-24
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL INTEREST.
\ General Review of the Workings OF the
System.
OFFICE SUPT. PUB. INST. KNOX Co.,
KNOXVILLE, Dec. Is, 1873.

EDITORS CHRONICLE: / have completed
one series of visits among the common
schools of Knox county, and feeling that,
besides being of general interest, it is
matter of importance that the working of
the system and the educational condition
of the county should be made known, I
beg leave to submit through you to the
people the following: .I#s.. ..H
PREVIOUS CONDITION. ..
At the passage of our new school law
Knox county was in better condition TO
accept the responsibility of its execution
than a majority of the counties of the
State. Under the former law an organiza-
ton had been effected and schools taught
in most of the districts for two years. A
moderate number of comfortable school
houses were in existence and much
good work had been done. Yet, owing
TO the imperfections of the county
SYSTEM" that thorOughneSs which is in
dispensable to complete success, was not
obtained. No county officer having been
provided, a serious lack OF supervision was
felt-just such as would be experienced by
the State, were the machinery of her gov
eminent left to run itself without the di-
recting agency of a Chief Executive To
remedy this defect is one of the main re-
deeming features of the new system.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
The new law found a healthy and wide
spread public sentiment in favor of schools.
Notwithstanding the failures of the past,
the great body of the people had not lost
faith in the possibility and necessity ofan
efficient system of common schools. Church
sects and party politics in general were ig.
nored and, with few exceptions, there was
determination to stand by the law and
make one more vigorous effort to place the
system on sure footing.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
The examination of teachers was
| begun in July. One hundred and
| fifty-four examinations have, at the
present date, been made, including elev-
en- denominations of those who had
| failed TO pass or wished to raise their
grade. One hundred and eleven of the
| applicants were white males sixteen
white females; ten colored males, and six
| cOlored females. OF these, one hundred
and one white males, and sixteen white
females, three colored males and two col
Ored females passed the required standard
| of grade, and received certificates to teach.
| Ten white males, seven colored males and
| four colored females failed to pass the
| standard, which is out of a maximum
grade of 10. Every white female passed
| From the fact that qualified teachers could
not be obtained to teach. all the colored
4 schools, it became necessary to grant spe-
cial certificates to one white male, seven
colored males and three colored female
| teachers who were not qualified TO re-
ceive regular certificates. 1t Is to be hoped
such a necessity will not again arise, as no
teacher, however rudimental the work
| should, If possible, be allowed to teach
without regular standard qualifications.
Although some teachers have attained
excellent grade, the majority are too def
cient, by far. The highest grade
reached is nine and one-eighth
The number reaching above eight is
small. Many go but a fraction over five.
These latter, unless they improve, must,
in case Of a more rigid examination and
higher standard of qualification, next year
be rejected. There is no scarcity of teach
ers for the white schools, and it is necessa-
ry that the standard Of qualification be i'm
| proved each year until, as nearly as posi-
bic, teachers of the first order, who shall
make teaching their profession, are placed
| in charge of the schools.
have found the greatest deficiency of
teachers to be in the theory and practice of
penmanship. There is growing tenden-
cy among them to neglect this all-impor-
! as regards qualifying themselves and
teaching it in their schools. 1t is desired
That those who propose teaching another
| year shall, at once, set about thorough
preparation for this branch of their work.
The Spencerian copy books, which have
been adopted for the schools of the county,
| will, if properly studied, give the required
| information.
Some districts pay their teachers accord
ing to grade of qualification, other things
! being equal. 1t would be better if this
plan were adopted by all, since, besides
being the only true method, il will be an
| incentive to industrious teachers, and tend
| to the securing of none but a well-qualifi.
! ed instructor in every school.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
The election for Directors In August was
! attended with more than usual interest
not one districtin the county falling to elect
| The officers chosen were, for the most part
/ well qualified and wide-awake men, as
their subsequent discharge of duty has
| shown. Immediately after the election a
! convention was held at Knoxville, when an
! organization was effected and q concerted
! plan Of procedure in some measure agreed
| upon. The first work was the taking of
the scholastic population the returns OF
| which showed that schools must be pro-
vided for something over ten thousand
! children.
| SUE-DISTRICT DIFFICULTIES.
! Atthe very beginning of their labors Di-
| rectors met with serious difficulty in lay
| ing off sub-distrcts and locating schools.
! The law is very indefinite as 10 their duty
in this respect. and consequently there was
a want Of perfect uniformity of action. AS
was naturally TO be expected there were per-
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