The Republican journal., 1885-11-05
School Supervision.

The following is to be found in the report of the
State supt. of public schools for the year 1884, I'M
der the head of "Needs of Legislation"
To secure vigilant, prompt, intelligent fearless
and effective supervision of the schools, towns
should be compelledto elect school committees
slstlng of three, siX or nine members they may
desire, instead of being allowed to choose super
v1sors as they now may do, which committees
should serve without pay: These committees
should be compelled to elect annually an inspector
or schools, who should perform the regular routine
duties of supervision, and who should be paid for
his services a reasonable compensation from the
regular school revenues.
In connection with the above the State Superin-
tendent frankly admits that his recommendations
are probably somewhat in advance of public opin-
Ion, and that without the sanction of the public it
would be nexpedient to enact such law. The re-
port further shows that the actual annual eNpendi-
ture for the support of public schools in this state
aggregates more than $l,l00,o00. 1t is admitted on
all sides that school system falls far short of
perfection or of accomplishing what might be rea-
sonably expected from SO liberal an outlay. 1t is
the writer's conviction, based largely upon person.
al observation. that the present style of supervs-
ion, measured by its results visible benefits,
aside from examinations of teachers. is but little
better than no supervision. We allude to the svs-
TEN, not to the individual supervisor or committee
it would be at least safe to consider it carefully be-
fore urging Its adoption; but in several States the
proposed plan is an established and pronounced
success and, therefore, is beyond the experimental
stage As the law now is Supervisors or 5. 5.
Com are required to visit each school at least
twice in each term. These visits are usually very
brief, and it is rale that more than the required
number are made. At the close of the year the
dion and character of the schools reported not
altogether from what the Supervisor has seen and
knows for himself Int partly from popular rumor
or the general reputation of the teacher. The oil
cial can hardly he blamed for this unhusinrssike
method of doing business, because our cities and
towns do not feel willing to allow reasonable sti-
pend even for that kind of service. Another Oh
Jectlon 70 the Supervisor system now i'll is, that
the primary caucus too often dominates man for
the Office, because "he will run we'll" and
strengthen the ticket" and not because tie is fitted
for the position by training, education general
illness. experimenting School Committee may
he objected to ON the same grounds ami further.
more when matters go wrong il is difficult to justly
lodge the responsibility where it belongs The
change which the State Supt. recommends takes
the office of Supervisor of politics AS much as
Is possible and at the same time surrounds the OIL
Ger with sufficient counseors who would be able
to exercise wholesome restraints if needed. The
clause which provides for his remuneration out of
the school revenues, would relieve the towns of
what they now pay for Supervisor and with more
and better service would cause no greater burden
"eoellevethat at present. Supervision is doing but
little to improve the daily work in our schools that
much might be done and needs to be done in that
direction and that the importance of education and
the money we are expanding therefor, demands
that something should be done