Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-05
-. ALLEN,
Chairman Assembly Com. on Education

SACRAMENTO. February 1. 1885.
Hon. G. II. TIOmd and Hon. n. Allen
GENTLEMEN IN answer to your circular of the
% instant / beg leave to say:
Frst-In my judgment the school law of Cali
fornia is a wise and good one. 1t was originally
established by careful consideration of models,
which were deemed to have been demonstrated
TO be the best by the experience of other States.
1t has been subsequently modified from time TO
time, in Il conservative manner, not upon the
theory but by the demands of practical work
ing. | think it still requires improvement and
change, but not of a fundamental character.
Cur State Constitution requires the whole of
the fund contributed by the State to be expended
in the support of primary and grammar schools.
This fund amounts to nearly twothirdS OF the
whole fund
Our laws, made under this Constitution. re
quire the entire State fund-save 10 per cent
thereof reserved for district school Libraries and
apparatus-to be expended for the salaries of
leaves the purchase of lots, erection OF buildings
and the entire support OF High schools to local
taxation.
There is no longer any state certificates issued
to teachers. The whole matter of examining
teachers aud granting certificates is left by the
Constitution especially underline recent amend
ment in the hands of County Superintcndents
and County Boards of Education. But the State
Board of Education will adopt and have printed
by the State at its printing office uniform Sc
rieS of textbooks for the common schools
throughout the State.
The bulk of the funds for the support of the
common schools, coming as it does from the
State, is intended to secure the people in all the
counties from iiliteracy and the law requires
schools to be Kept al least SIX months III the
year.
School Trustees are elected by the people of
each district. This seems to me very desirable,
because the people whose children are TO attend
the school should select those who are to man
age the school and select the teachers 1t is
matter in which they are immediately and Vi
tally concerned.
School libraries are of great benefit being fur
II dictionaries CVplODe(liaS n
reference, globes, wall maps, apparatus and
standard works for reading. These appliances
are used by the teachers and pupils, and also by
the public Of the district under regulations pre-
ribbed by the Trustees.
Supervision. both State and county, is not
only of the highest consequence, but is indis-
pensible. Without it there would be nothing
worthy of the name Of system These officers
see that the laws are enforced, keep the system
homogeneous, and, if they are what they should
be, constantly elevate and improve the system
of the public instruction. There is no officer in
the county who is of more importance to the
people than the County superintendent OF
Schools. If he is a frst-class man-and you
must pay for such-there is almost no limit to
the good which he can do. He should be so
paid, that he can give his whole time TO the SUI
perintendency of the schools. And he should
be REQUIRED TO give it. He should be perpetu-
ally in the schools, observing advising with the
teachers and Trustees, examining the scholars,
etc.
Immediately inquire about the character of the
schools: and they are not willing to go where
their children cannot get a good even if plain
and common, education.
A good County Superintendent, wide-awake,
competent, Jealous and active man, can infuse
such life into the schools as viii invite immi-
grafton and investment, and cause even hand
some compensation 10 seem nothing in compare
son TO his value
In answer to your final question | will say
that / think the effect of our organization and
system of laws eminently beneficial to our
schools: and think Nevada could not do better
than adopt the same, with such notifications us
and locality Judging by the frequent inquiries
which have from Eastern States, the reputation
of our system must stand high beyond cur boT-
ders. Respectfully your obedient servant
WIN. T. WELCKER.
supt. Public Instruction California