Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-03-21
Vermont Not in the Rear.

Some of the papers out of the state
have theory that Vermont is not
doing much to educate her children
as compared with other States. To
sustain their theories they make use
of figures and by this means make
seemingly fair showing. Surprising
Vermont does pay less amount oil
money per scholar for educational
purposes than some other States, we
insist that it does not necessariI,
follow that our children are receiv-
ing poorer education than the
children of the States with which =
comparison is made. 1t is often the
case that in two districts side Ly side,
where perhaps equal sums of money
are expended, the scholars in one will
be much in advance Of those in III,
other. Perhaps they are brighter
scholars, the parents are more inter
ested, special care is taken to secure
the best teachers, and diffcren,
kind OF educational atmosphere pre-
walls which an expert can feel the
moment he crosses boundary lines.
Education cannot be measured by
dollars more than morals by the
yard. We are slow to admit thai
Vermont is behind some of the States
with which she is compared in tn,
matter of expenditures, in the ed
ucatlonal facilities she offers, or tn.
advance her children are making.
We can do more with one dollar
here than some Of the States car
accomplish with six or eight or even
ten. If Vermont had some of the
large public school funds that have
been provided by some Of the new
er States she could easily lead them
in the matter Of education. ",
believe the people Of Vermont tax,
as much interest in education AZ the
average elsewhere. 1t may be open
to question as to whether we c1pend
as much money for schools as We
ought, without question We do not
e1pend it as wisely as We might,
but we have a generation Of children
growing up through the school
period that we are moi afraid to
place side 10y side with similar Gen.
vrationS i'll other States, where the
columns Of expenditure are much
larger. The point We insist upon i,
that dollars do not accurately OF
even fairly measure progress
Lest rome might think that III.
people OF Vermont are losing interest
III education we would briefly call
attention to the educational work thnt
is being done i'll the State. II before
he piu saee OF the present law there
had been too much indifference in tl-
iuatter OF schools, and il when the law
first went into effect there was much
'colding and many predictions OF fail
'lre, IT IS now apparent that most o;
the people are willing that the law
should have fair trial, trusting 20
the next legislature to remedy any
manifest defects, and while school Off
ciais may have committed some error.
we believe there Is general diSposi
ton TO work the law for all that il i,
worm. lie county supervisors are
the CHEF workers. They can do more
than any others to bring the law into
favor or contempt. II we can judg.
fairly by what tho local press bring,
TO us, the scho. Snpervisors are M,
IDLE. Zach '" nlr particular field il
working we'll. Besides, they are assist
ing each other III institute work. One
supervisor told us, with one exception
lie had assisted IN every county insti.
tute thus far held in the State. Many
local teachers meetings ARE being held.
organizations are being formed in SOM
OF the larger towns; some OF the best
talent In the State is being called into
reqnisltion. We sPe frequent notice,
OF tile presence OF supervisors in diff
ferent parts Of their fields. visiting the
schools under their charge. We know
OF one supervisor who visited neurI,
every school in his county. On "A
second tour he intended TO tax. in
every school. The men doing this ell.
ucatl"hai work seein 10 be thoroughly
In earnest.
III Vermont has been negligent in
the past. open to the charges brought
against her the occasion il being re-
moved. These are only hints ut the
condition OF things IN they now staud
There has been general Urccra.,
made IN educational work la tic en
tablshnent Of graded schools in most
OF the larger tOwnsaud villages. These
are growing into central schools. They
are absorbing the aGjacpnt districts.
They gather pupils from all parts of
Tie towns III which they are located
Ih"y are often the pride OF the people.
Many d"llnrs are expended in con.
nectIOn with these local institutions
tilnt do not appear ia columns OF fy.
ures. The school advantages hecure,l
10 iaTSe proportioa " the children
arc mech superior TO those formerly
enjoyed. Aud these IRE secured ut "A
conn trHtively small cost. A system
OF co'operHtion is carried on in
wwilich no mention Is made of
t!e name. We hope that none
OF our friends will fenr or our enc.
inies hope tlpt we ARE falling into the
rear in educational matters. IL il n
spurious cry which some would rinse
WHO won'd like TO make il appear that
they are not very bad il only .ls good
as SOMEBODY else What we lack most
Is material to work upon. Bring ON
your cIllir"h ani we will show you
vermont far NJ IN the column Just AZ
long as brain is better than brawn.-
Barre Enfnrnrisn