The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-09-20
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
j. J. ZUCCARELLo, EDITOR.


SCHOOLS.
Having visited all the schools in
the county, both public and private,
with the exception of just a few
that we're not in session during the
time of my visits, / hope that am
prepared to say what is most need
ed for the further progress of our
schools. While we all admit that
during the last five years our pub
lie schools not only in the county OF
Giles, but in the state, have made
considerable progress, yet, I find
six very imp ortant things which if
permitted to remain just as they
ow'are, will ever besgreat barriers to
the public school interest; but if
We can by the united efforts of pa
irons, teachers, directors and mag
istrates better the condition Of
these six important .matters,
we will see a marked improvement
in our country schools within the
Hext twelve months. I shall en-
deavor in series of articles to
place these important matters be
fore the people.
THE UNIFORMITY OF TEXT BOOKS.
This is one of the most impor-
tant things to consider, since We
can never grade our schools with
out uniformity in textbooks. 1
have been in schools where the
teacher was compelled to hear from
30 to 60 Rotations a day on &C
count of different books. Counting
10 minutes for each recitation will
give 8 to 10 hours of actual work in
the school room per day. Allowing
20 minutes, the time usully re-
qulred for recitation, and we have
from 16 to 20 hours of school work
per day-a thing impossible-and
yet many of the patronsethink the
teacher has nothing else to do but
to teach the kind of book they
send with their children. The lack
of uniformity in textbooks is the
cause of about one-half OF the dis
satisfaction in our schools. With
change of teachers there is general
ly change of books. We hear
complaint on account Of the unnec-
essary expense in the change OF
books. Some of the patrons will
not buy them and others are not
able to buy them, consequently
the teacher has to teach a variety
OF books in each grade. thus depriv-
ing himself OF the time be should
devote to instruction.
Under the school law ] am re-
quired to suggest to directors books
to be used in onr common schools,
and in order too prevent to freqent
changes and TO secure uniformity.
The law WHICH compels me to rec
ommend 3 list of books, reads as
follows:
Chap. 18th, Sec. 9th. Be- it fur
ther enacted. the duties of the coun-
ty superintendent shall be as tol-
lows: 4t.
/. To have supervision Of the
public schools in the county.
2. To visit the schools of the
several districts from time to time,
and confer with the teachers and
district directors as to the improve
mcnt o: scho ols, or the promotion OF
their interest in any way, to keep
himself informed as to the merits OF
"text books and to suggest to the
| district directors such changes as
may from time to time be advisa
BILE, with q view to secure uniformi-
ty in the course of study throughout
the county, when it can be done
without increased expense to pa
rents.
The readers and spoilers were
adopted at a meeting of the county
board last year. / expect to call q
meeting ofthe school officers and
magistrates in October TO discuss
| this important matter as well as the
other five things alb put which | will
write. In the mean time 1t is hoped
that each director and magistrate
will read and consider these series
of articles concerning these i'm or-
tant matters and be prepared to act
accordingly. As it is my du Y to
suggest, will select a list of books
in common use, let the directors
discuss their merits, select and
adopt spd let the county court
ratify { as the state superintendent
says they have the authority to do)
and then this important matter will
be settled.