Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-24
A Higher Grade of Normal Schools.

Among the excellent papers presented at
the session of the American Institute, that
Of Larkin Dwton, A. NJ. principal of the Nor
NAL School, Boston, on Professional Schools
for Teachers" has attracted our attention
rs urging not any new departure or the
adoption of any new principle, but the
wider application of one already approved.
In opening his subject Mr.. Dunton discussed
at some length the defective methods OF
teaching formerly practiced in all grades OF
schools from the primary school to the uni
versity. He then showed that the methods
of instruction had been much improved dur
ing the last thirty or forty years, but main
tanned that the improvement had been much
more marked in the elementary than in the
superior Schools and that this difference
was owing to the fact that the influence of
the state normal schools had been felt
mainly in the lower grades OF public ill.,
struction, that the high schools and colleges
required similar influence to that already
exerted upon the lower grade of schools, and
for this purpose there should be normal
schools of higher order than any we now
have in the country-a grade that shall sus'
tain the same relation to the colleges and
universities that the present normal school
does to the primaries. In these the princi-
pies of educational science would be so dis
cussed that they would be better understood
and applied in the colleges themselves. And
this the writer regarded as an important
point 1t was not wise to assume that
every learned professor must be a good
teacher; or that his teaching could not be
improved by little attention to the princi-
pies upon which it should be based. One
able, earnest expounder of educational
science and methods in college would in
luce all the professors to take an occasional
scrutinizing look at themselves. Mr.. DuntoD
thus maintained that school of pedagogics
ranking with or above schools of law, med-
cine or theology, thoroughly endowed, and
therefore independent, and having its repu-
tation bound up with that of great univer-
ty, would be the browning glory of our edu'
eational system. From it would go out an in
fuence that in two generations would reyo-
utionize the instruction in our academies,
high schools and colleges that would intro
iuce new era in school supervision through
out the country, and that would raise the
business of teaching to the rank of a noble
professor.
The subject so clearly opened and ably
| tod ly i'm FIN bar
some of the ablest and best qualified mem
bers of the Institute, among whom we note
General John Eaton, United States Commits
sioner of Education, Washington; Rev. DIR
Education; Miss Scofeld of South Carolina
and j. w. Webster, Esq, of Boston. TIT
discussion of this question relating to tn
higher and better instruction in our eduoa
d tional institutions, particularly in the Col
i lege and University, turned on the alread
T. admitted fact that both the acquisition o
; knowledge and the result of knowledge o
u the part of the taught turned largely on tn
methods OF teaching by the teacher. 1t
. on this generally recognized fact that on
s. medical, law and theological schools hay
B. been founded, and the highest succe'
= achieved by those that have resorted to thel
~ to learn their art, and how most successful
~ to practice it. Skill in teaching as well
W disposition to teach is necessary for the mo
W successful teaching. Training is necessa
VI to supplement and perfect the best natur
" ability, and our colleges afford rich opport
d. mites for culture. If tutors and professo
ne should receive special training for the
he work, results of higher education would
more valuable. There should be spec
be courses of training for teachers in our C
&C. leges and universities