Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-11-20


NJ No Grauuates last year 10
Iotal NO, graduates from such schools
III, in the County: .......... ZIG
Whole amount paid for instruction. :. $3.50
Amount received for tuition. .... 39i
TEACHERS WAGES ETC.
No of Teachers required to teach the
:, schools ,...,....,. ,....;...-....... $50
No male teachers employed during the
year .-......................-. =. 65
No female teachers employed during the
year ......,.... .............. BIZ
No different persons employed during the
year .:.............. .................. ssa
Averagelwages of NAL etea chers per month 44'o3
Average wages of female teachers per
:, month -. :.............. PASS
No applicants enrolled. ...... ..... Gao
No certificates granted dnring the year. 1902
First Grade II; Second grade 90; Third Grade
352.
REMARKS AND SUGGESTIONS.
The number of graded schools of two or
three departments is seventeen. Twelve of
these and seventeen ungraded schools have
adopted course of study. There are MANY
advantages to be derived from this action.
Pupils are stimulated to put forth moresde
termined effort to maintain their class posi-
ton, and to complete the work assigned for
any particular school. Pupils are Classified
and the number OF classes regulated bv this
method much better than by any other
method or lack OF method; and each pupil. on
entering school, can know the work to be
done, and the time ordinarily required TO do it.
Examinations, having in view the grading of
our country schools and the adoption of some
regular course of work for the pupils therein,
were held last February. -Four hundred and
fifty-five pupils tried DETERMINATIONS. Of
this number, ninety-seven were granted a
common school diploma, certifying that their
work had been creditable. Many of those
who attempted -the examinations, but who
were not entirely successful, are worthy of
commentator, and with well directed efforts
during the coming winter, may expect success
in the next trial Any person securing, fdirly,
common school diploma, should have no
difficulty, after an additional years work, in
securing third grade certificate of good
standing.
Attention to this work Of grading and class
flying our country schools is earnestly recon-
mended to teachers and school officers
The toofrequent change of teachers IN many
OF our districts, is to be deplored. In some
instances, no doubt, changes should be prompt
ly made, in order that the best welfare of the
school may be maintained; but when teacher
is doing ,gooa work, n change, even though it
saves few dollars, is poor economy A dis
trict that engages new teacher for each of its
two or three terms, usually makes slow and
unsatisfactory progress. The reasons for this
are plain TO ALL Good teachers are not always
easily secured and when one is found that is
well adapted to the wants of the district, the
ACCESSIBILITY OF retaining her, even if fair wages
are necessary, can not be questioned Inefi-
Gent teachers are always dear, at any price,
since school coming from under poor man
agement, will, for time, battle the best eff
forts OF good teacher, and consequent loss OF
valuable time, is the result.
Quite number of our schools, too many,
IN fact, are still without suitable furniture and
apparatus. Ajudicious expenditure of money
to remedy this lack of essentials for comfort,
eealth and progress, would be highly profit
able, and, in the end, satisfactory. Not very
much is needed and when once secured, will,
if properly cared for, do good duty for fifteen
or twenty years.
The lack OF uniformity Of text books means
multiplicity of classes, and consequent hurry
and rush of work, on the part of the teacher,
In order to meet the demands OF the district.
All well understand that hurried work, is
rarely good work, and that good work is what
all desire and the best interests of the rising
generation demands. Favorable action on the
part of the School Board and patrons in regard
to text books, viii undoubtedly do much to-
ward making 1t possible, through better class
ihcation and the diminished number OF classes,
for both teachers and pupils to make more
satisfactory progress. May earnest thought
be given to this subject.
Many Of our teachers and pupils do far too
little general reading, simply from the fact,
that they have not access to suitable books. A
petition will be presented TO our next legisla-
ture, asking the passage of law relating to
district libraries, somewhat similar to the law
found in the State Statutes Of 1888, and which
was practically lost sight of during the Civil
War. The design OF this law will be to place
a number Of carefully selected volumes within
easy reach of every man, woman, and child in
every district, at very slight expense to the
people.
The benefits to be derived from the passage
and application of such law, are plainly APP
parent. May petitions looking to its passage
meet with hearty response from the people
Of this county.
School work can lay the foundation for gen
eral intelligence, but general intelligence itself
must come from general and judicious reading.
Our institute work and teachers meetings
have been well attended, and | sincerely trust,
profitable. Uniformity of methods, inter
change of ideas among teachers, and general
discussion and review of school work. were
the objects in view Renewed interest and
consequent improvement in teaching, Is usual
iy the result on the part of those who are in
frequent attendance; and to the young and in
experienced, these gatherings are certainly
welcome and valuable help. | wish, in this
connection, TO thank the older and more ex-
perienced teachers for the hearty help and
interest they have given to these meetings
They have done much to make them profit
able. In nearly all of the one hundred and
seventy-one different schools visited by me
during the past year. have found the teachers
and pupils doing commendable work. The
fierce weather last winter, interfered some
what with the attendance in many districts;
but with all this, the per cent. Of attendance
IS still more creditable, and so far as | have
yet learned, IS not exceeded by any other
county in the state.
The steady improvement OF the teaching
force, and the interest and industry manifested
in Educational work, are encouraging and
gratifying. The Educational outlook is good.
The field IS large and worthy, and my chief
regret is, that my efforts are limited for want
OF time to attend TO all the different duties de-
volving on me. My work has been uniformly
pleasant to me, rendered. very largely so by
the hearty cooperation OF Teachers, Parents
and Pupils.
In conclusion, gentleman, ask permission
10 express my gratitude to the people OF this
county for the many cordial greetings and
welcome kndnesses that have been extended
to me on every side. s~..a
Respectfully submitted.
THAS. L. HARPER, n
-. ii. ". County Superintendent.
The report was read and adopted.
Mr.. KIDD. chairman of committee.
then read and Submitted the following
Ranort If (,or,n,;ffaa IN Einauca.