Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-26

instead of routine school-keeping. The
classes graduating during the last year ap-
peared to have been especially we'll trained
in this direction
The reports of the Madawaska Training
School, Normal departments of the Maine
Central Institute and Lee Normal Academy
are very satisfactory as are also the report of
the trustees of the three State institutions.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Superintendent furnishes some valua-
BILE suggestions upon teachers associations and
societies. and upon temperance instruction BY
law, and legal compulsory school attendance
Both these last matters should be carefully
studied by teachers and school officers He
also prescribes several courses of study for
different classes of schools which we COM
mend TO towns most emphatically. They are
the result of a study of the popular needs
and Of wide experience with our schools In
conclusion Mr.. Luce makes several recon-
mendations which cannot fail to be of great
worth to our schools
!. That school committees and supervisors
earnestly endeayor to increase school atten-
dance by the use of all legitimate means,
and especially by prompt and vigorous en-
forcement Of the new compulsory law.
2. That they guard the schools from the
admission of unfit teachers by demanding
evidence of moral character, and by search
ing examination not only into their scholastic
qualifications, but into their ability to govern
and instruct; and that they use their influence
TO secure the retention of satisfactory teach
ers in the same schools for series of terms
g. That in towns in which the district sys-
tenn has been abolished, they take necessary
steps toward the Introduction of courses of
study in the ungraded schools from which
pupils may graduate in like manner a. from
graded schools.
4. That they use their influence in favor
Of the abolition of the district system, the
adoption of the free textbook plan, and the
establishing of Free High Schools.
3. That they urge upon teachers the i'm
portance of attending educational meetings,
and that they themselves. when practicable,
attend and take part in such meetings.
g. That they strongly advise all young
teachers who show natural aptitude for the
work, to enter upon course of professional
training at one OF our Normal Schools
!. That, in short, they seek 10 elevate the
public schools of their towns by yigilant
earnest, persistent aud aggressive action
leaders in all educational reforms.
APPENDIX.
besides the usual valuable statisticai
tables, Supt. Luce's report this year contains
some genuine helps for the teacher. First
are, Experimental Lessons or Properties
and PLY Biological effects of Alcohol" by
H. NJ. Estabrooke of the State Normal
school at Gorham, prepared at the sngges-
non of Supt. Luce. Since the introduction
II temperance instruction Ihto our schools,
deluge of text books on physiology has
been poured into our State. For the most
part these books have been physologys
hastily revised with chapters on narcotics
and alcohol their properties and effects,
superhcially written and carelessiy inserted,
books gotten up in hurry to meet demand
III this State for works treating such subjects.
The teacher as well as the pupil was forced
to dig what little real meat these books con
tanned off very dry bones. 1t was work as
equally difficult to some teachers as to pupils.
they never having had the necessary educa-
tional preparation. Supt. Luce evidently had