Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-29
NO.. 25.
Dailu Kennebrr Journal.
System in Education.

Division of labor, skilled workmen and in
telligent supervision. are the three elements
prominent in the progress of the last quarter
of a century. Many can remember when the
country cobbler made his lasts, cut his leather.
sewed and pegged his shoes. Labor and su-
pcrvision combined in one man. The product
was small in quantity, and rough in appear
ance. though generally durable.
Not many years ago, watches were made
by hand, a few persons doing all the work.
They were necessarily expensive and with
rare exceptions. in the lower grades. poor
time keepers. Had hand labor continued to
be the only means of supply, as population
has increased, shoes and watches would be
beyond the reach of persons of moderate
means. But factories have made a division
of labor possible, SO that persons of ordinary
ability become skilled in one department of
labor. and the results of skill in all depart
ments are combined in product almost per-
feet, because of the general oversight Of
trained superintendent.
What is true with regard 10 shoes and
watches is equally true of all manufactures,
and applies with equal force 10 school man
agement. In the choice of a superinten ndent,
companies are guided by the fitness of
things" Men trained to the business, with
experience in all its branches are selected.
Then constant oversight is demanded. In
our cities schools are so classified and graded
that it is possible to select teachers with
special fitness for certain departments. but
for lack of supervision the right teacher is
not always in the right place, and there is
great lack Of unity and progress. Without
supervision there may he individual schools
of excellence. but there can he but little har-
mony and strength in a system of schools in
town or State. The best teachers have some
faults, the poorest many. Supervision aids
the best to improve. removes the incorrigibly
bad. and lifts the medium class to n higher
plane. The elements of power in one good
school are infused into all others through
the medium of supervision. Efficiency
in this work must come from experience
in teaching all the grades of school super.
viscd. No other line of work prepares
man for success in this calling.
Throughout the country the efficient School
Superintendents are men who have had q
large experience in teaching. and of those
who stand in the front ranks in Mass. day
a large part were formerly Maine teachers.
Supervision. to be successful, must be in
tclligent and constant II must be possible
for the Superintendent TO be at any time and
as long time in any school as he is needed.
Such oversight has placed the schools Of
Portland and Lewiston abreast the best
schools of Mass.
1t was my privilege to spend several days
in the Portland schools short time since.
Superintendent fash is a man eminently
qualified for the position which he holds. A
teacher of long experience. n man Of excel
lent judgment and organizing power, with
happy faculty of securing harmony in his
army of teachers, he obtains happy results.
Nearly every hour of every day Of the school
wear finds him in the school room; observing,
advising and assisting the teachers, question
ing and encouraging the pupils. Out of
school hours he is arranging plans for the
Improvement of his work, and considera-
BILE portion of vacation time is spent in in
that Portland may have the benefit Of all that
is good elsewhere. This outlines the labor
of real supervision. IL must be evident to
all thoughtful people that such work is nec-
essary and invaluable, that the highest sue
cess is impossible without it.
The condition of the schools of onr State
imperativeIy demands reform in this direction,
and the cities and larger towns should begin
the good work. In Massachusetts, some
small towns, adjacent, are writing to secure
intelligent supervisors. This plan would sue
ceed well in Maine especially where cities
or towns are located as Augusta, IIallowell
and Gardiner are. 1t is time for the people
to take more interest in education; nothing
concerns US more.
G.. r. FLTTcUER