The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-03-01
The District System and the Schools.

The District System and the Schools.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL l was
very much interested in the article Oh the Dis
trct System by c. F. Smith, also i'm the one on
Educational Associations by Geo. NJ. Cole that
have appeared in the journal. Knowing there
are many teachers more competent to discuss
the questions than myself | prefer to leave it
to them; but teachers, unlike people in other
professions, seem to be backward in advancing
opinions on matters directly bearing on their
work, and stand by patiently shoudering the
blame for the non success of schemes advanced
by those who Lave theories but no practical
experience. SO, hoping that what 1 may say
will start others who possibly need only
shaking up to make them give us some thoughts
on the matter, will try my luck.
l. there a just cause for all the faults found
in the district system by c. F. Smith? We
answer: Yes, and even then the half has never
been told. We in Maine are apt to boast Of
our superior educational advantages, especially
of the common school, over those of the newer
States, and it is mortifying to know that we
are far from having right to do so, for the
new western states have been making giant
strides in educational matters, while we have
been jogging along in the same old rut, seems
ingfy unconscious that our system can be i'm.
proved.
Occasionally some enthusiastic teacher will
make an attempt to change all this, but the
stOd Indifference with which he is met by his
patrons, and too often, we fear, by his fellow
teachers, chills him through and through
Soon he draws his head back into the shell
again and we find him studying mossback scnti.
ments and getting along easy (:) in the same
old way. In the West they have better class
Of school buildings, better supervision of
schools, take more pains to secure and en-.
courage first class teachers, are ready and
anxious to discuss new methods. and are con-
stantly placing things for the better convenience
Of both teacher and pupils, thus increasing the
usefulness of the one, and the benefit derived
from the exp, nditure of time and money to
the other.
How is it with Us: If we wish to improve
our school buildings that old monster District
system pops up his head and says. The school,
house is as good as it was when went to
school and what is good enough for me is GOOD
enough lOI NlN CDliurGn. Inc
suit is, the old house remains as it is, or is
patched up little SO ''it will do" and the
teacher finds the conl cnences for the comfort
and advancement of his pupils comparatively
inferior to those provided for their fathers
cattle at home. As for Il school library, there
is not even an apology for one. Very, Very
few are the districts that own even dictionary,
and Il first class blackboard surface is Il rarity.
Instead of filling the Office of experimenting
school committees with live, earnest teachers
who have had special training for the work,
we lind them usually filled by doctors, lawyers
or ministers. who have work enough in their
own professions to prevent them paying spec
ial attention t., or having any special interest
in. The welfare of the schools. II they have any
time for the work it is given to the central"
district, and the utlyng districts are left to
shift for themselves. | have just closed my
second consecutive term in district in Waldo
county where one cali of an hour and half
from onc member of the committee was all
the supervising | got during the two terms,
while the teacher in the next district com
planned bitterly to me because the committee
one hundred and fifty dollars is annually ap-
pratei for the supervision of schools. Thi, il.
an instance of 4 town with central" district
If all the money paid for the supervision of
schools in all the towns in Waldo county could
be given to one person it would be salary
large enough to make it an object for com.
petcnt man to put his time and energy, in the
building up our schools. Then We would have
county examinations and graded certificates
would be i>>ucd to teachers, which would raise
the standard and elevate the teachers profess
sion. As it is now. though we have three
Normal schools, comparing well with any in
the nitcd States, which are graduating as
good material for teachers Is can be found any
where. they have to compete in salary with
unframed. un,kIled, Iow-sra(le teachers. and
are seldom sure of employment for more than
one or two terms in the same district. So
a. >oon as they can possibly redeem their
pledge to the state, they hurry away to States
where the district system is unknown.
oul state Superintendent. y. A. Luce has
spen; wears in an earnest effort to improve our
'''llilltH >tEOOl>, anu HOW comes MS report
that one hundred towns in the State have
adopted the town system. fifteen having been
aided during the past year. 1t must he graft
flying to him that his hard work is beginning
to bring forth fruit of an increasing growth.
But it should grow faster, and We As teachers
ought to keep the matter stirring. Remember.
brother teacher, now is the time; soon it will
be past and Your town will be doomed to the
district system FOR another year. We should
talk it over i'm our conventions and reading
clubs, discuss it in the papers or wherever
two or three Of lis happen To meet, and with
united effort We can soon redeem the whole
State from the district system and know that
we have made one great step toward keeping
our state Is true To the motto, Drigo, in our
common schools a. in the many other things
in which She truly doc- lead. NJ. J. WEST.
Monroe, Me, Feb. 2ott, 1SS~.