Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-01-03
Gard from Supt. Ely.
OFFICE OF Co. SUPT.,
independence, Jan. ., '73.

ED. BuLLETIN:-No argument is need
ed to show the necessity of cooperation
on the part Of school officers if we desire
to promote the best interests of our
schools, and secure the greatest amount
of culture among the pupils. Yet there
is a necessity for argument to show hoao
we may best work together, with the
teachers. for the promotion of this desir
able object 1t is generally conceded
that efficient supervision is necessary in
any work of the magnitude of that in
which we are engaged, if not, we have
but to look at the experience of other
States to be satisfied upon that point
The question then is how shall we secure
efficient supervision? it is impossible for
one man to visit the two hundred schools
of this county, widely scattered as they
are, often enough to be acquainted with
the wants. difficulties, or necessities of
all of them, in time to suggest a remedy
or to afford suitable aid. Generally
teachers are CHI nged each term, and often
Sub Directors each year, in either case
changing the character of the school so
greatly that it essentially differs from the
one taught in the same house the year
before
In order to remedy this difficulty, a
system of monthly reports has been pre-
pared and the blanks sent to each Dist.
Secretary, to be distributed by him 70
the Sub Directors, expecting. in this way,
to he able to find exactly what was being
done and hOao the work was progressing,
in every school in the county, every
month Now if the Sub Director would
visit the school in his sub district each
month, examine the register carefully,
and see that the reports are made correct
ly and mailed promptly. very much good
could be accomplished by their instru-
mentality. Among tie benefits arising
from this system, if thoroughly carried
out, we would find better classification
of teachers, because they could then,
very largely. be classified by their success
or failure in the real work Of teaching,
while now they are classcd almost entire
ly upon their literary qualifications
among which aptness to teach is not
found. Now mismanagcmcnt would he
made apparent in time to be remedied the
present term, or, at least, avoided the
next term of school, The Superintendent
would be able to map out his work, ma
king visits where they are most needed,
and by having some system about it, be
able to do very much more beneficial work
than is now the case.
Boards of Directors who desire more
elaborate system Of classification and gra-
dation can secure it by adopting the sys
| tenn prepared by committee appointed
for that purpose by the convention of
county superintendent, both at Washing,
ton and Independence. The necessary
blanks for this system arc published by
Griggs, Watson & Day, at Davenport,
Iowa, costing fifty cents for six copies. =
This system virtually grades the schools,
adopting it by securing uniformity of
classification, course Of study, &C, and
requires monthly reports to the County
Superintendent, including the standing of
pupils in classes. and In case teachers are
changed, the new teacher can ascertain
exactly what has been done, and may be
able to 60 forward with his work from
tho commencement of the term, instead
of consuming two or three weeks in or
ganiatng bis school. The State Superin-
tendent speaks Of this ayatem % fol-
Iowa,