The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-22
Our Common Schools.

~.AAA~~~sAOAA VI
common schools, written by an in
telligent gentleman, who has given
the matter considerable attention.
He does not condemn the existing
system, but suggests that it mi ght
be improved, and calls attention. to
three prominent faults now existing,
viz: first, it is too expensive; sec
ondly, the educational course re-
quireo too much time; and, thirdly,
in the graded schools especially, it
discriminates against such children
as are most apt and most capable OF
rapid progress and thorough educa-
ton.
1t was expected that these mat
tiers would be brought to the atten
ton Of and discussed by the State
convention Of teachers recently held
in this city, but the time of that as
sembly was so entirely occupied
with ventilation" and invectives
against the legislature, that no op-
portunity seemed to be afforded for
the consideration of these equally
important and legitimate topics;
therefore, in order to be enlightened
concerning them, the public will
have to direct their inquiries else.
where. The press is, of course, a
proper medium through which to
carry on the discussion of this and
every other subject Of public inpor-
lance, and we had hoped that our
correspondent would follow his
brief communication with others,
setting forth the Objectionable fea.
tures of the system more definitely
and suggesting practical remedies.
The first fault he points out is the
~xpensiveness of our present educa
tional system. Now, We are at a
loss to know what he means. Is it
that the teachers are paid too much?
That the school houses are too cost
ly? Or that the furniture and appoint
ments of the school rooms are too
elaborate ? We can hardly believe
that he intends to find fault with any
Of these expenses. 1t may be true
that, in some instances, the teachers
are paid too much salary for the Ia
Dor they perform, but the average
weekly pay of teachers of country
schools in this county is only about
$3.50 for women and 5000 for
men. If they are such teachers as
they ought to be, this is none too
much, but that there are those en-
gagged in the profession who do not
and cannot earn this much we have
no doubt. The remedy, however,
does not liz: in diminishing the
general salaries, but in wedding out
the incompetents. AS for our school
houses and their furniture, &C., they
are none too good nor too costly.
1t becomes important to know,
then, in what manner the expenses
ct the system can be judiciously |
In looking over the lat
est report of our county superin-
tendent, we find that there are
6,991 scholars enrolled in this coun-
ty; and that there are 100 teachers
during the winter, or an average Of
about a. scholars to each teacher.
Now, if the average weekly pay of
100 teachers is $40, that amounts
to $1,000, and the average weekly !
cost of tuition per child would !
amount to about 70 cents, or to
$40. 2 per year Of ~ weeks, if all the
children enrolled attended school
the year through. But
the average attendance is shown by
The report to be only about $500 in
winter, or an average per teacher
Of about % scholars; hence the
real cost per scholar taught is about
Sac for ~ weeks. This is for tut
ton alone! Again, on referring to
The renorf wa find this ;+an, viz