Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-11-06

tion of teachers for the whole year instead
of changes every term would aid materially
in the advancement of schools.
Mr.. Taylor of Caledonia county depiores
the unfitness of school officers for the posi-
tions they occupy. 9 In SOME cases men
have been chosen for committees who could
not read or write.'' The new school law,
in its operation in this county, has met the
expectations OF its most sanguine support
ers. 1t finds opposition, as all new measures
are sure to find in this state" One hundred
sixty-seven teachers are regular subscribers
To some educational publication and ITS
have read some standard work on educa-
ton. He has organized teachers asso-
Citations, to which three-fourths of the teach
ers voluntarily joined themselves.
Mr.. Cilley Of Chittenden county rightly
maintains that the efficiency Of schools
depends primarily on the character OF the
teachers employed Hence he has made it
his first care to see that only those best
equipped and qualified are employed.
" From visitation of schools and from in
vestigations otherwise made, | think /
know very fully the condition of the schools
OF the county, and that they are improving
in most instances" His time has been fully
employed in necessary correspondence, ex-
animation of textbooks, visiting schools
and attendance upon teachers institutes.
In the high aims and inquiring spirit of
teachers, in the steadily-growing interest
of the people in their schools, he finds pos
tive evidence of the wisdom and utility of
the new school law.
Mr.. Walbridge of Essex county reports
that at the first examination held by him,
owing TO misrepresentation only eight APP
piled for certificates. An attendance OF
ffty-two at the following March examina-
ton showed growing confidence in the
new order of things. The supply OF COM
petent teachers at first was not equal TO the
demand, which necessitated the issuing Of
in paa la mia m
stood they were on probation and no detri-
mental results ensued. Suggestions for re-
pairs, furniture aud apparatus have been
made, bearing in mind the actual needs
and avoiding unnecessary expense. The
greatest evil to contend against is non-at-
tendance, which by the town reports is
shown TO vary from one 10 forty per cent.
County selection will obviate the lack of
uniformity in textbooks. By minging with
the people throughout the county Mr.. Wal
bridge has ascertained that public senti-
ment has steadily grown in favor OF the new
law.
Mr.. Rustedt of Franklin county is pleased
to claim Improvement ia the condition of
school buildings and appliances. Several
districts have promised that dictionaries
shall be- placed in school houses this fall.
Many teachers at first opposed the present
law who now are It's earnest supporters.
The best teachers are now taking educa-
tional journals or pursuing special study on
the science of teaching. Educational meet
ings have bees held in nine towns and
teachers associations formed in seven.
He has visited every district in the county
once, and many twice. Teachers have real
lied that never before has so much been
expected Of them. and they have in the
main earnestly sought TO meet those re-
Quirements.
Mr.. Phelps OF Grand Isle county has
made fifty-four visits 70 tho twenty-five dis
tricts in his county. The applicants for cer-
tihcates have almost invariably been well
qualified, and constant improvement is
noted in the country schools. Several school
buildings have been repaired. The insti-
TUE held At North Hero WAS attended with
good results.
Mr. Redmond OF Lamoille county con-
siders his province especially favored by
reason OF the advanced institutions OF high
rank located there. The Normal School at
Johnson is graduating every year young
men and women well trained for the
important work Of teaching. The acade-
mics at Worthwhile aad Hyde Park are doing
excellent work and attract fronA different
sections of the county young PEOPLE de-
sirous OF taking . more advanced course
than the common schools afford. He
found the schools deficient in their supply
of apparatus. At his suggestion, both the
academic aud unabridged dictionaries have
been purchased so that now but very few
schools are without them. The complete
school chart has been placed in seventy
schools in the county. The supervisor notes
An awakened interest on the part Of teach
ers as shown BY their inquiry into the best
methods Of instruction aud the practical re-
suits already apparent. The number of
poor teachers has been reduced. Grammar,
reading and penmanshp are the branches
most neglected in our schools. Mr. Red
mond has sought to remedy this by calling
the attention OF teachers TO the defects, aud
~. Aof ~ MAJ nil tab gaw =
books. The majority OF Lamoille county 10
well pleased with the achievements of the
new law.
Mr.. Goodhue OF Orange county presents
table OF statistics which gives in detail the
condition OF schools aud school buildings, a
report Of all moneys expended, and rating
OF teachers as to training and ability. He
believes that much of the opposition to the
school law is from those who wish to make
political stock Of it and who bluster about
Increased expense regardless OF advance
nent in educational interests. One town
thinks the average wages paid its lady
teachers the past year, 1913 per week in
cltdinq board, exorbitant, Newbury has
paid the highest wages OF any town. In
terest in educational work among the
teachers has increased greatly during the
year, and large number OF educational
periodicals is read. Randolph makes the
best Sowing in its common schools. This
is due both to the workings of the Town
System and the employment OF teachers
who have received most thorough training at
either the Normal School or the West Ran
dolph graded school, The condition OF the
schools has improved throughout the county,
due chiefly to more efficient set OF teachers.
Mr.. Stone Of Orleans county thinks school
matters have progressed satisfactorily
Teachers are better paid than formerly, and
in consequence better results are being Sc
cured. Extra branches have been added
70 the curriculum in some schools, with
much advantage. "Our schools are en-
barrassed somewhat by transient teachers.
those entering the service for ono term. or
for revenue only" The County Teacher
Association, and the teachers subscriptions
70 educational works. have been beneficial.
Mr.. Walker Of Rutland county advocates
the endorsing Of second grade certificates,
a. doss every supervisor who has anything