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


per cent, and several where it exceeds 200
per cent. These figures disclose wrong
done to the small districts, when viewed III
the light of our theories as to taxation and
the object of the public school-a wrong that
cruelty discriminates, sending two-thirds OF
the children to schools of 30 and sc weeks,
and the other third to shorter and poorer
schools, compelling one man to pay one rate
of taxes, and another man another rate 10
support the same system, a system that
prevents crime, promotes industry, and a
powerful agency in protecting the state.
say these figures disclose great wrong
reaching into nearly every town in the
state-that ought not TO be tolerated another
day." Hon. j. W. Patterson, superintend-
ent of public instruction in New Hampshire,
is quoted as commencing the working Of
the town system in that state.
The third general subject, " combination
of small schools, is discussed as follows:
" 1t is plain to most people that good
school is an impossibility without a good
teacher, and that good teacher commands
good pay for his services. 1t is also settled
that, as a rule, scholars learn more in
school OF fair size than in a small one.
There are 141 schools in the state of not
more than 6 scholars, and AL of not more
than II scholars. 1t is evident that there Is
a large number of these districts that ought
to be united with other districts. Super
visor Goodhue reports that there are 30 such
III OTduRc COuubls Ii bucoc utlu DtCH uulbC0
with other districts, it would have saved
that county at least $1,000. In New Hamp-
shire, where the condition is similar to that
in Vermont 494 schools were discontinued
in 1861, by uniting with other schools.
The schools in the town Of Middletown
Springs, VT, have all been united in two
districts Several districts were annexed
to the village district. The superintendent
visited this school in the winter of 1889, and
found 1t in a prosperous condition." In
New Hampshire compensation is allowed
for transporting pupils where the distance
is great. The superintendent has personal
knowledge of several cases where good
graded schools might be established from
small districts in this state where, in years
past the school money, 10 say the least,
has not given good results 1t is
therefore recommended that section 26S be
amended, so that all alterations of school
districts shall be made by the selectmen,
and that the selectmen shall alter them on
the recommendations of the supervisors
The supervisors will act in this respect
firmly and dscreetly."
The superintendent next comes to the sub
iect of free textbooks. He SAYS: "There
has been considerable discussion and dis
agreement as to whether towns and school
districts under section 2S6, and the last
sentence OF section 49, which reads
But this shall not be held TO prevent the
use of such books as may be supplied with
OUT bApeuSt 10 Tile pupils, could FURNISH Lne
pupils with free textbooks The law is not
as plain as it ought TO be in this respect, and
therefore should be amended; or rather,
the superintendent is OF opinion that the
law relating TO free textbooks should be
repealed and the state should assume the
entire expense of such books. Equal taxa
ton, economy, the highest success of the
schools, and experience of other commu-
mites, all concur in demanding not only
free school-houses but free text books for
the children Of the state" Hon. John w.
Dickinson, secretary of the Massachusetts,
board of education, gives four advantages
OF the free textbook system, which
quoted by the superint endent, who adds:
" The reason for insisting that the state,
instead of the towns or school districts,
should furnish the text-bo ks, IS, that
1t would tend 20 a more perfect equalization
of taxes. 1t would be made convenient for
the towns to furnish the textbooks, and
would be preferable, il a state school tax is
imposed by the legislature, as reconl-
meIded in another part Of this report"
Regarding the thirteen teachers insti-
tut6 which were held during the last
school year, the superintendent says: 80 The
institutes, il was claimed, were the largest
ever held in the state. The number of
teachers attending was nearly double that
OF those reported in 1888. The papers and
discussions were OF high order. Methods
OF teaching principles OF education school
discipline and class work were made promi-
nent. Teachers must have obtained a
broader and more accurate knowledge OF
the real object Of the public school, and OF
right methods to make il most successful"
Speaking Of the new school law. the su-
perlntendent says, in the first place that
one year is too short a time in which to oh
serve It's effects. The difference in schools
narily is the difference ia teachers, and
the schools advance, step by step, as the
teachers advance. The test is " are the
teachers improving?" In answer to this
question the superintendent quotes the
county supervisors, whose reports are given
elsewhere. Taking into account the pros
porous condition of the normal schools,
the unusually large number of teachers at
tending the institutes and summer schools.
ana who are reading educational journals,
the thorough examination of applicants for
admission into the teachers profession.
together with the fact that more than fifty
teachers associations have been formed
during the year in the several towns, with
small libraries composed of books on the
art and science of teaching, that many edu-
cat1onal meetings have been held by the su-
pervisors that nearly every teacher in the
state is friend of the new Law, taking these
iacts into account, the superintendent, after
having visited nearly every section of the
state, and addressed the people in public
meetings in more than forty different towns,
Is persuaded that substantial progress has
been made in the schools, and that the new
law IL Wen adapted TO increase their eff
cheney" Superintendent Patterson and
commissioner Harris are quoted as emphat-
cally In favor Of county supervision. some
regarding the increase in wages
s reported In 1889 the average wages of
male teachers per week were SO 81; of fe-
male teachers, 1888. In 1890, male teach
RS received $500, and female teachers.
1910. In New Hampshire the wages of
male teachers in 1889 were Sl0S4; of female
eachers, $685.. The superintendent has not
Examined the records to learn whether the
Increase has been relatively greater in the
'oor districts than in the rich, but has been
informed that 1t has been. and therefore
idvlses state tax to assist them.
The following recommendations regard
ng the work OF the supervisors are made;
hat the supervisor may, in his discretion.
ndorse second-grade certificate: that the
electmen shall alter the boundaries of
chool districts on the written recommends
Of Z he -.