Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-03-04
proposed this subject for discussion, ant
hope it will do good.
r. W. STEVENSON.
Columbus, Ohio.

Whatever may be said of the rapid
whirl of progress in this great State, in
all commercial and industrial pursuits,
it is deplorable fact that the interests
of country schools have been sadly ne
elected. In our school exhibit, sent to
the Centennial Exposition, we attempt
ed to rank second in the Union. But
that only applied to schools in towns
and cities. And while we received fiat
tering encomiums on our graded school
work, as exhibited, not a manusciPt ner
an item was sent there from an ungrs-
ded school in Ohio. Why? 1t is pre-
sumed we had nothing fit to be shown.
1t must be admitted, though it may touch
our pride to confess it, that the country
schools have but little permanent, health
full advancement. They turn the same
furrow, from year to year, with a wood.
en- mould-board,' and make a return of
rrsults quarter of century behind
the times. | am aware of the criticisms
such statensnts are likely to cause. But
these are disreputable facts which will
stand the test of investigation.
At the same time, 1 am free to exenor-
ate,in general sense, the country teach
CT. The fault is not with him. 1t is fair to
assume that he does his work as well as
the disorganized state of his school and
the endless embsrrsssments against
which he labors will admit.
Country schools are without uni
form course of study and systematic
plans to protect it; they are wanting in
organization and proper classification;
they need SUPERVISION. This is the old
cry. l lam aware that county supervis-
ion has been urged and defeated so of
ten that its best friends have well nigh
forsaken the enterprise. First under
taken in this State in 1887, it is said to
have been before 25 legislatures since
that time. No matter. 1t is still the
question to agitate. Ohio is about the
only progressive State without supervis-
len. l challenge any one to find success
full business where unframed workmen
are employed, without its plans being
directed by a skiIlful foreman. But
there are $4,000 teachers in the ungra>
ded schools of the State without any
head to protect this great interest of the
people.
Country schools need trained teachers.
Perhaps the best thing to do just now is
to teach teachers. Many teachers in
country districts are beginners and un'
trained, and comparatively few who be-
gin expect to make it permanent occur
patton. Outside the large cities but lit
tie effort is made to give teachers pro-
fsssional training. The embarrsssments
in frequent changes and in want of
skill are more seriously felt in the coun-
try than in towns and cities. In gra-
ded school, new candidate will make
fewer mistakes because he is familiarly
associated with other teachers and in
council with superintendent. But at
his best he can only do the work of an
apprentice the first and second years,
and the schools must of necessity lose
by it.
The double-headed township system
ought to be abandoned. Certainly
change in township organization ought
to be accomplished this year. 1t is un>
fortunate that the General Assembly
has not made these changes, and reliev-
ed US from the school laws which have
so long retarded instruction in rural dis
tricts. But let US follow Mr.. Lincoln's
rule, Keep pegging away"
G. w. BENNETT.