The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-03-26

There are as yet orders in my hands
for Districts Nos. 81, %, So, 46, As, &c,
IS and IS, for the State apportionment
made last September, subject to the
order Of the Clerk of the Districts.
The schools have, during the year
just past, been in a very encouraging
condition, with perhaps a few excep.
tions where minor difficulties, and of
,alocal nature, has disturbed, to some
extent, the harmony that should exist.
The patrons should endeavor 10 keep
down discord, and aid ard assist the
teacher, not taking every opportunity
that presents itself to encourage an in
dolent, careless and refractory dispo-
sition in his pupils. Of all professions
school teaching is the one most desery-
ing Of the sympathies, and should
have an honest, liberal support, of a
moral as well as Of financial char
acter from the community.
One Of the greatest needs Of our
schools is a permanent class Of teach
ers. 1t is too often the case that our
teachers 60 into the sehool-room, from
the force of circumstances, not with
the intention or expectation of follow
ing it as a profession, from the fact,
that they cannot get employment in
the sehool-room more than six
months, on an average, in the year;
and this to some extent disqualifies
them for other labor; and the wages
are insufficient. A person who isqual-
ified to teach q good school can get
steady employment in some other avo-
cation at about the same wages per
month; consequently they leave the
school-room, and quit the profession.
This is the reason that our schools are
generally filled by inexperienced
teachers. This state Of affairs, if rem
edied at all, must be remedied by the
patrons of the school, All the laws
that wise Legislature may enact cam
not cure this defect. Those directly
interested must take a more active part
in securing good and efficient teachers,
and give them employment for more
than three months, as many Districts
do, just simply to fill the letter Of law,
i am well aware that In some instances
this would impose heavy tax upon
the patrons; but Tie tax is nothing
compared with the benefits derived
from good public school, in a COM
feel justified fl saying that during
the year Just closing, the great majori-
ty Of the teachers arc men that would
be On honor TO any profession and
equally intelligent to any similar body
II the state.
There Is, however, one evil that
would call the attention Of teachers to,
particularly. That Is, allowing the |
pupil to select one or more studies that
DIeases the fancy, ami purane il to the 4
exclusion Of llothers. Itisi,apossible /
ror them to accomplish what they I
,ught, By pursuing a one-sided coarseofl
studies. Every school, whether large .
,r small, should have a defined course .
If studies, adapted to the age and
lbiiity OF the student, with reference
o logical connection. The teacher is
he propes person to prescribe the
.tudies 10 be pursued
II Is also desirable that the monthly
n quarterly reports Of teachers set
orth the standing and accomplish
nents Of each pnpil, and should de-
ermine the pupils position at the be-
rinning OF the next. The towns and
-illages in this city are moving gradu-
lis forward-lhe rural districts ought
.ot 70 lag.
There Is q want Of a general system
4 education. This can only be rem
died by Teaehesrs' Institute. / would
81 the attention Of al that are con-
erncd ia the cause n edueatloni bus
lofe especially teachers, 70 lse neees-