Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-17
Educational.

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The WAToHMAN expressed the apprehen
sion last week that the public attendance
upon the meetings of the state teachers
association at Northfeld would be, as com
pared with the attendance upon an "agri
cultural horse trot," inversely as the relative
real Importance of the agricultural and the
educational interests. Events have justified
the apprehension as to the public, and the
prophecy might have been extended to in
clude the teachers themselves. OF the gen.
eral public there was present very small
sprinkling, and of the two thousand five
hundred ninety-seven teachers which the
common schools of the state require, less
than two hundred, mostly young women,
were present. The faithful workers, the
leading teachers, that class which least
needs whatever of benefit or inspiration
may be CLEANED from these meetings, was on
hand, but the rank and file Of the common
school teachers of the state, the superintend-
ents, committee men and laymen were la
mentally conspicuous by their absence.
Numerically the meeting doubtless gagged
the high water mark of popular interest in
education in this state. In the general
character of the subjects discussed, and in
the personnel of the leading participators,
the meeting represented the academies, high
schools and colleges rather than the common
schools. State Superintendent Dart ap-
peared as the chief representative of the
latter. A sort of clone fisherman from
Rutland, j. j. r. Randall, the veteran school
superintendent of that town, and its sole
representative on this occasion, made bolt
from the subject of academies presented for
discussion by Mr.. Conant and got before
the meeting some very disagreeable facts re-
ing and management in that part of the
state. Mr.. Randall seemed to feel that con-
fession is good for the soul, and he should
not only not be impeached for his self-con-
fessed derelction Of duty, but for the light
he has thrown so sharply and with so much
frankness upon what is undoubtedly the
actual condition of most of the common
schools of the state he deserves public thanks.
The facts about our public schools seem
to be briefly these The academies, high
and graded schools are either well enough
or are abundantly able to take care of them
selves. The ungraded schools, the "dstrict
schools" whether in the outlying or in vii
lage precincts, seem to be afflicted with a
species of dry rot. The charge is that
these schools are ineffcacious, fall short of
accomplishing, even with reasonable meas
ure Of success, the purpose of schools. The
responsibility for this state of things is va
riously located with the superintendent,
the committees, the teachers and the people.
1t is said that the superintendent are re-
miss in their examinations of teachers that
through favoritism, indifference, or fear, GER
tifcates are granted to persons whose book
knowledge alone, say nothing of other re-
quirements, is utterly insufficient for even
primary school teacher; that committees
are influenced in hiring teachers by consid-
erations of avarice and meanness, rather
than by a reasonable regard for the welfare
of the scholars and the efficiency of the
schools; that the teachers foisted upon the
common schools by such methods of exam
ination and contract are largely young boys
and girls, who will teach for any sum, who
could earn practically nothing in any other
avocation, or are too lazy to "bone down"
to hard industrial work, and that good
teachers are driven out of the market by
this kind of competition; and finally that
the mass of the people regard this state of
things either with indifference or tacit APP
proval. This is severe indictment of the
common school system of the state. They
who make it are not set of soreheads or
impracticable theorists. They admit the
existence of many shining exceptions, but
their inner knowledge of the workings of the
system as whole entities their statements
to credit, and we believe the facts will be
found to be substantially as claimed. The
details of the defects and abuses of our
common school system, as they were pre-
sented at Mortified, will be found more
fully stated in the report of that meeting
elsewhere in this paper.
In the matter of reduction of court ex-
penses and tax reform the state has done
laudable and thorough-going work. The
reformation of our common school system
imperatively demands the continuance of
the good work. The towns of the state are
spending annually nearly half a million
dollars for school expenses. This sum is
not extravagant 1t might be largely in
creased for good schools without reaching
the boundaries of extravaganza; but for the
kind of schools we have, five hundred thou
sand dollars year is very high price in
deed. If the people fully appreciated how
small the results are for this outlay, they
would not rest content day with the COM
mon school system of the state.
A school system SO inefficient and which
admits of such abuses as are charged against
it, is radically wrong aud must be changed
before reform is possible. If town supern-
tendents neglect their duty, or unwarrant-
ably grant certificates to teach through favor
itism or fear of losing their official heads if
they refuse; if avarice and meanness or in
capacity and indifference control committees
in the selection of teachers, the powers of ex-
animation and Of hiring teachers should be
removed beyond the reach Of local influences
and placed in hands that will judiciously
exercise these duties. "Local option" in
word, seems to be the source of the ineffi-
cheney charged upon the common schools.
The remedy would seem to be in county or
state instead of town supervision Of schools
and in placing the power to hire teachers in
hands that will judiciously exercise it for the
best and highest interest of the school. State
Superintendent Dartt shows good sense and
practical wisdom in his ideas, and has clear
conceptions of the needs of the common
schools. He is disposed to labor earnestly
in their behalf. The press of the state can
do much to help him aud should come
heartily to his assistance, and endeavor to
awaken public interest and to create a cor
rect public sentiment in regard to our
schools. The difficulties to be overcome are
great and manifold. He will need all the
support and encouragement he can get from
the leaders of public opinion, and will cor
daily welcome allies from every quarter.
Brethren of the press, lend him aud the
cause helping hand.