Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-10
Watnhman Sc journal.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878.
For the watchman.
The Board Of Educatlon---Again.


McsrS Editors / observed in one Of your
recent papers an article from the Board Of Ed.
ucation, which, it seems to me, needs some ox-
animation. That article attributes the dis.
content among the people relative to the change
Of text books to articles in the papers which
disaileced publishers had caused to be inserted
But neither the name Of the Hon. Governor, or
the President Of Burlington college, can pull
the wool over the eyes Of the people, 70 that
they will be generally satisfied with the chang
ing at once Of 80 large part Of the books used
in our schools
The books recommended, or perhaps | should
say authorized by them may be good, but
many Of the families are unwilling to be sub
iect to so large an expense, since 70 many Of
them think it unnecessary.
How much complaint has there been among
teachers about the old books2 It is problem
which needs little to make it evident, that the
progress in all departments Of what is taught
in schools depends, not so much on the books as
on the teacher. Good teachers will make schol-
ars improve faster with the books We have
used, than poor teachers with the hooks newly
introduced. ! suppose we had board VI com
petent men who selected the books We have
used the last five years But the present board
have lived five year. longer, and, 10 this age Of
progress, they have arrived at the conclusion
that the schools will be sufficiently benefited
by the changes, SO that the expense should be
of no account II is an age Of improvement
still and when the next Eve years are passed,
the present board will be likely to become old
fgcs, and others will cast to the winds the
books they have recommended and other books
will take their places If they had left a part
Of the books, would not that very act have
tended to gain the end they propose?
There has been a difficulty in regard to the
uniformity Of our text books Of vast import
lnce to our schools While an publishers
were allowed to send their agents into the
State, the time of many classes aud many
teachers in small schools was taken up usclcssly.
That difficulty has been obgiated, and there is a
general uioiormity OF text books throughout
the State which + desirable. But will this be
continued When new books have been in
troduccd, the uniformity which has existed will
be destroyed, and already there are complaints
lf the multiplication of GLASSES And these
will continue until three or four years have
,mn-pirei, for there is almost uu impos-iblity
q making complete changes n less time, judg.
ing from The post. But the honorable board
would try 60 make The people believe that they
must submit 20 be taxed 20 largely, because IL
is law. They DO not say 1t directly, but 81
| .hcir language should be subjected 10 the usua
avs of Interpretation, il l. intimatcd, com
uenting at the same time on the remark @
Judge Steele. But what is the difference be
tween saying that the State could not make th
law relative g. books binding-1niy advisory
or saying If scholar demanded TO be taught il
.he oii books il must be done Why was no
4 suit Instituted by somebody because Guyot
geography was introduced into common school
during the last five years, when that was to b
used only in academies? viii any one 0
those in the State in authority dare TO send ou
an order that teachers shall reject from tn
schools the books authorized five years ago
1t is best that there should be uniformity it
books but il the pulse Of the people indicate
the true nature Of the disease, it will not b
gained by what has been done by the board
And as there are 80 small majorities in tn
legislature in favor of the measures Introduce
for the improvement Of our schools, wisdom
would dictate caution.
The writer is friend Of education, and spen
time to have the books, recommended FIVE year
ago, introduced into our schools but there j
little cencouragemeutto to attempt the same again
even at the prices Of exchange, for there is to-
much to be done. OLD TEACHER