Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-12-30

This neihciency arises partly from a lazy
indifference on the par, Of committees, partly
from poor remuneration BY the town. and
lastly from positive Ignorance and total
incapaci,y to I'll the office of school inspce-
ton
In his Report of 1873. he declares Ell
Glen, School Supervision is still the weak
feature of our public school system. Wise.
intelligent. clear and clean inspection are
the exception rather than the genera! fact
at present"
In an able article by II. Woodbury.. of the
State Normal School at Pennington on "why
We have so many poor schools" he says, "A
different method of examination and eer,if-
cation is imperatiyely demanded. In vast
majority of cases the examination of teach
ers is pcrfec; farce.
There are many noble men and women
engaged in the work, but the boards change
so often. those fit for the work have enough
to do TO serve as salt to preserve. without
acting as leaven to leayen the whole lump"
In the State School Report of 1873, the
same subject is discussed al some length. and
the following suggestions made. ''ln order
TO have Git teachers then We need a revolution
in our system Of employing, examining and
certihca,ing them. They should be employ
cd by town committees or supervisors. MARX
the following and see how happily j, blends
in argumen, with the foregoing) Their gen
eral fitness as to extern; Of knowledge. pro-
fessional skill, and moral character, should
be determined by some agency as far as
possible removed from any tendency TO per-
sonal favoriiism." Marx the latter clause
and apply the same argument to employing
tcaehers.) "Sueh an agency" he adds, "In
county or state boards of examiners" These
extracts serve TO indicate the general opin-
ion Of our State School Oficers and Promi-
men, educators in regard TO the manner in
which town committees and supervisors have
discharged their duties, and We, these same
gentlemen have and are asking for an in
crease Of their power.
The old Bible doctrine holds true and is
in harmony with the voice Of experience
and obscry alton. "lic tina, is faithful in little
will be faithful in much. and be that is nm
faithful in little ~illbe uafaithfal in much"
and | should hesitate sometime. with these
testimonials against town committees and
supervisors. before enlarging their sphere
Of duty aud responsibility In my judy
men,. Of the two classes OF persons. the
district agsnt and the town committee. the
agcn, Is most independent, and tina, the
charge Of ncpo,ism and fsyoriijsm that j.
urged agains; the agent would be applied
with ,enfold force against the town commit
tee. In a vast majority Of eases the com
mi,iee or supervisor !. the slave and servant
Of the popular sentiment, or YOU might add,
| pfcjudiocs Of his town.
His object is 10 give satisfaction. and w. hat
j. generally mean, by that. no positive Of
| fense to hi- ,o~nsmcn. rather than make a
bold adv ancc in the cause Of public educa-
/ ton. His desire TO maintain or increase the
| good will and confidence Of his ,ownsmen,
too often prevents him from making an ef-
fee,iye attack upon old time prcjudiee., and
an Independent, course in the matter of ex-
animation Of teachers. and inspection Of
schools subjects him to loss OF friendship.
/ misrepresentation and abuse.
| II the committee fails now for want Of
| educational interest, moral courage and
manly independence, what will be his fate.
what will be the fate Of our public schools
when tho multitude Of claims from his own
town and elsewhere. shall be pre.scd upon
him from motives Of personal obligation. pri-
waite interrs, and friendship.
The la~ now. in my judgment. invests
town committees and supervisors with the
authority TO exclude from our public schools.
| every teacher who has no, the requisite edu-
| cation, faculty TO instruct, power 10 govern.
| and good moral character. His knowl-
| edge and examination Of candidates should
cover all these points, and hi. duty in this
regard should be discharged with scrupulous
impartiality. Experienced teachers who are
unknown to the committee personally, or
| BY reputation. should furnish the strongest
proof Of their adaptation to and success in
the work. aud beginners should be put on
trial or show physiological and mental reas-
ons why they should be admitted as laborcrs
in the school vineyard.
would make il necessary for the teacher
to be examined and ecrtiheated, prior TO his
engagement BY the agent Lastly. admitting
even, tina, the average committee is better
| qualified TO employ teachers than the average
| agent, what great revolution would be eff
feered under our present system Of prepar-
ing teachers
If we had a surplus of good teachers who
were forced out Of employment, by the poor
material tina, is constantly coming into use,
then there might be some excuse for the
change. il the argument in its favor rested
solely on the ground Of merit. Blu, my Oh
ilis iaNs NAit4t ~ hDt
one-four,h par, enough frs,-class teachers
to supply our schools, and in nearly every
case, such teachers, especially females, are
worked beyond their strength.
The demands for their service are mum err
Gus and pressing and none of them 60 abou,
the streets begging for work, and of teachers
that are reckoned passable, there are no
more than enough to supply our schools.
Poor teachers are becoming Disguised
with the occupation. and are seeking other
fields Of labor better suited to their powers
When the supply of teachers becomes so
immense that We can have enough of the
| choicest and best to fill our schools, then
discussion OF the change might be in order
| Penobscot. H.
State News.