The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-04-05

d
one acquainted with the work and in
duence OF the school mentioned, and
honest enough to do justice, will deny
that it has done service to the state
tar above what it has cost. But the
first requisite in adapting our agencies
is to determine definitely the work to
be done by them; if, therefore, the
chief function Of the normal school is
that named above, our people ought to
so understand it, and have it SO clear
ly set before them that they will de-
mand adequate provision to meet the
want, at least in some good degree.
There is, however, another view of
the function Of a normal school which
may be worth considering, to meet
which would require but q single such
institution in such state. This view
is that which makes the normal school
purely a professional school, designed
for giving professional knowledge and
training to the higher grades of teach
ers. The requisite for such an institu-
ton would be: /. That it should be a
complete museum of appliances for
teaching work of all grades. Ilustra-
tive apparatus, from the lowest kinder
garten work to the full equipment of a
high school, at least, should be found
there. Museums of natural history,
adapted to the same range, and put up
in the most approved methods for use
fulness in teaching: models and plans
Of school buildings, school furniture
maps, charts, books, - whatever any
one engaged in any department Of our
public school work may need to see in
order to acquaint himself with the
best known thing of the kind, should
all be found in this collection. 2.
There should be corps Of instructors
competent to give instruction in such
subjects as the history Of the public
school system in our own and other
countries; the school systems Of the
world; school legislation and school
laws; school architecture; school SUI
pervision; the management of our gra-
ded schools; the entire realm of peda-
gogics; and whatever else is conducive
to thorough professional training for
| the teachers work 3. Buildings
and ground should comport with the
character of the school, being models
of their kind and an inspiration. 4
For certain purposes of exhibiting
principles in application, a model or
practice school might be necessary. 5
With these appliances, let there be
held four months session each year,
the instruction being given mainly by
lectures, in connection with which the
students should be directed in theil
reading. Let two courses, followed by
thorough examination, complete the
course. 6. For admission to the course
at least good, thorough, English high
|school course of training should be re-
quired; and the character of the in
structiOn should be such as to attract
college graduates, and men and women
of mature years and culture.
Such an institution would RAPIDLY
fashion the entire school system of a
state, especially if it's. powers and
prerogatives were literally and wisely
determined and ensured by law. But
there would still need to be provision
for the professional training of the
great mass of primary teachers.
For this purpose, let there be held q
two months, normal institution in each
congressional district, each year, under
the control Of the faculty of the normal
school. For example, in Michigan
there would be nine such normal insti-
tutes held each year. If the normal
faculty consisted of six members, this
would allow that two of the faculty
should be present at each institute most
of the time.
The function of these normal insti-
tutes would be three-fold; 1. TO allow
the normal officers and other examin-
ers, if others were thought necessary,
to become thoroughly acquainted with
all candidates for places in the primary
schools, and thus to grant certificates
which should mean something: .. e.,
they would be the examining agency,
2. They would afford q review Of the
leading studies taught in the primary
schools. 3. They would give special
professional training.
These normal Institutes might furn-
ish three grades of instruction, requir-
ing different qualifications for entering
each, and a three years course 1.-TWO
months in each Year, to complete the
entire course. Those who had taken
the first course only could be granted
certificate to teach in a certain grade
OF the primary schools those who had
completed the first two years, a certifi-
cate allowing them to teach in either
OF the first two grades Of schools: and
those who had completed the entire
course, q general certificate.
While. it would be impracticable to
withhold certificates from teachers who
have already established reputation,
or received certificate Of good grade.
all new candidates for the profession
could be required to enter it through
this door.
We have thus briefly sketched q
scheme which we have been revolving
III our mind for years. We are not
confident of revolutionizing the estab-