The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-11-21
Institutes.

The time for holding another Institute
having nearly arrived, 1t may not be out
OF place to call attention to few matters
connected Herewith The Importance
of Institutes ought to be more tully
recognized Too much Importance can
not be attached TO them as means tor
cultivating a professional feeling LOT
stimulating teachers to prepare more
thoroughly tor their work, and for solv-
ing the real difficulties and questions that
perplrx the teacher.
That there are defects in our Institutes
and that it is possible to inaugurate re-
forms is we'll known to all. What, then,
are some OF their defects, and what, the
measures for improvement In the hrst
place they fail to secure the attendance
requisite to their highest success. Many
OF the teachers seem to conclude that the
holidays can be more pleasantly and prot
tably spent, than in attending the 1nsti
tute. Perhaps this may be attributed
partly, to the facts that the exercises are
not made sufficiently interesting, and
nartlv because the idea prevails that the
low wages received for teaching will not
iustity their attendance. The plea Is that
considerable expense is incurred during
q weeks attendance at the Institute, that
the exercises are not instructive and that
there is no inducement to attend. Slhce
there is almost an universal reduction OF
wages throughout the county, ana as
Institutes are established, more especially
to increase the efficiency OF our common
schools it looks reasonable that some
provision should be made to defray, at
least part OF the teacher necessary
expenses while attending the Institute.
The law enacted tor that purpose was
necessarily, in that form, dead letter.
If the object to be attained by that legls
, lation was good one, why not secure IT
by the adnption OF some measure that
will provel more effrctual? Institutes
should be held at IA more favorable season
OF the year and con ntlnued Tor longer time
f In the tall before schools open would be
"A good time. Teachers would then enter
their schools with the lessons learned
fresh in their minds, and would conse
uuently manifest greater interest," aho
t enthusiasm in their work
! The instruction impaired should o'
/ better adapted to the character OF tn
n schools Instructors are frequently EN-
| pIoved who appear to know but very lit
q tie about the true condition OF our com
J. mon schools Their theories will perhap
t. work we'll enough in schools that ar
o under system of supervision, but WheI
d tried in our common schools, the essen
IS tiai principle of practicabillty is wanting
d Thorough and systematic drills, in tn
e subjects to be taught, should be made
e prominent feature of the Institute. Dril!
IT successfully conducted would ena6l
ID teachers to acquire the best methods &c
ID presenting, illustrating and applying tn
W principles of a subject Teaching powt
OF and ability would be developed, an
r. teachers would place higher value upo
Institutes
The question of Institutes should
thoroughly studied, and the best sugge
y, uous carried into execution, that tt
standard of common school educatlo
may thereby be raised.
STEPHEN MORGAN.
- BERLIN, Nov Is, 1878.