Nebraska advertiser., 1877-02-08

they should do so, it Is not to be ex-
pected. But if portion will expend
the time and money necessary to
master fuller course of training,
these will prove constant stimulant
to others to do the same.
Its not as absolutely essential that
the State should make provision for
the training of High School teachers
as of those who teach the lower
schools. The former are so much
longer in the business, and so much
better paid, that they are more likely
to find a way than the latter who re-
main but little while in the work.
At the same time those who have TAX
en- an extended course of preparation
to fit themselves for teaching are more
likely to continue in IT than others.
~. There is a great advantage to
the school in having in it students
pursuing higher studies. They ele-
vate the whole tone of the school aud
stimulate the students in the lower.
grades to niger attainments. Expert
ence has shown, that in normal
schools where there Is no higher
course. the students are inclined to
overrate their attainments and to
think they have qualifications which
trial shows them not to possess. But
where they are all the time brought
in contact with students, their super
iors in education and culture, they ac-
quire more modest and just estimate
of their qualifications, and make
more satisfactory teachers.
(3). Again, wherever the graduates
of our higher course go they become
the eenters Of educational influence,
and their example tends to diffuse
better methods and juster views of
education among the teachers of
lower grade In this way, through its
better qualified graduates, the school
in time will.come 30 exert powerful
indirect elevating influence on the
whole educational life of the State.
Of course. these reas ons are based
upon the expectation that our gradu-
ates will generally engage IN teach
Ing. The fact that the course con-
tains large amount of study of 10
especial advantage to those not in
tending 10 teach renders Ii unlikely
that many will take this course who |
do not intend to follow the business
of teaching. This anticipation |
seems to be fully justified by the his
tory Of the school. There have now
been twenty graduates in all from the |
higher course; of these one is dead, |
one married and quit teaching. one is
studying in the University, and one
In Europe the remaining sixteen are
teaching, or were during the year.
AS regards those who, during tie
year, have completed the elementary
course-fifty-six in number-nearly
ell are either teaching or studying In
the higher course.
An important means of training
pupils in the art of teaching is the
MODEL SCHOOL.
which was organized in January,
1876, under the management af Miss
Josie Dowden, who is paid by the pu-
pills of this school, and not by the
State. In this school the teaching is
largely done by the pupils n the Nor
NAL School, who are directed, IN
structed, and advised in The same
general way that an apprentice is by
his master.
The model school is an important
aid to the Normal, ~ it enables Us to
teach practically what could other
wise be taught only theoretically. 1t
will be understood that this is not in
tended to he in any sense a prepara-
tory school, but purely school of
practice. TO furnish means of train
ing pupils in the model school are not
published in the catalogue. nor are
they counted In any enumeration
made in this report.
ATTENDANCE.
The total enrolment for year IS7e..... 26S
Average attendance per terrn-.... ......... l42
Largest attendance any one term (the
1876
Number studying in higher course.......... so
who completed the higher course
'' studying In elementary course. lss {
who completed elementary course So
1t will be observed that this attend {
ance is figured for the three terms of
one year, 1876. Comparing this with
the attendance on the State University ,
as shown by the last catalogue just :
it appears to be smaller.
which in fact it is considerably larger. ,
The names in the University Cata- .
logue are for one year and one term, t;
Or four terms. including two fall
terms, the fullest in attendance of the
year.
Our last catalogue contains the
name of l92 students if we add to
these all the new students of this fall ;
erm. we have total of 336 against :
,S2 in the University. This compari
ION is made for the convenience of :,
hose who are in the way of compar- r
ng our leading State Institutions. !;
The attendance upon a school is not :,
IN infallible criterion Of its usefulness; 4
here are other considerations ofmore
Importance. But the largest attend
lnce upon our State schools evinces
me thing at least that with all the
lard times our people are not so dis I
outraged as to give up the education
# their children.
WHERE OUR PUPILS COME FROM.
As is common in all schools. a con- 2
iderable number of our pupils come y