The Delta independent., 1891-03-10
Reror. OF tn. state NORM al school

The first report of the Colorado Stnte Nor
NAL School, at Greelev, has been plncr,l in the
hands OF the Superintendent of Public In.
structioh. 1t is document of special inter
est to every citizen of Colorado, and one
which must occasion feeling of just pride
in the educational work Of the state. The
marked success of the enterprise is character.
isr!c OF the spirit of our people.
President Gray 6rst calls attention to the
history and character OF the normal school
work. The unity of II system of state schools
is shown TO be completed in the establishing
of the normal school. 1t enters Us g member
to perfect an organic whole. No social or.
ganizaiIon except the state has ever con-
structed such system, and in no Countries
of the world has education by the state
reached the development to be found in the
western American States.
The common school is the foundation of
the whole system. The high school can not
flourish if the coplMop schools Sre poor.
Colleges must lungui>h if the high schools
do not inspire the yohth TO higher courses at
study; and none of them will rise higher
thhn the men and women who are set to
teach thesS several sGhnols. Fine houses aud
costly appliances are of little value com pared
to the living teacher. Money spent in pre-
pairing teachers must yield larger returns
than any other investment the state can
make. The relation Of the normal school is
vital in the system of education by the state.
Colorado takes her place alongside the lead
ing western states in the organization Of this
factor in her educational life.
The school opened on the 9th of October.
1t shows an enrolled body of rs out of 93 ap-
plications for admission. OF this number
II are in the purely professional work, and
are candidates for graduation at the close of
the year. The average age of the school is
19l years; of the senior class 23 years. The
number of pupils in the. model schools is 255,
| making II total enrolment of 331 pupils un.
der the control of the pormal school manage.
m.nt.
There are five teachers in the normal de.
partneut, and five critic teachers in the mod
el schools. library of 800 volumes be.
longs to the school, besides a considerable
amount Of physical apparatus, in all valued
at 50 500.
The normal students come from ten coun-
ties OF the state. and from fur states outside
of Colorado. This fact is particularly notice
of the school is throughout the state. The
farmers are represented by about 80 per cent
Df the enrOllnent.
The city of Greeley and Weld county,
with the help of public spirited citizens,
have secured to the state fine campus Of 4e
acres of lnnd adjoining the city, worth 500
600 and n donatios OF $15, 900 IN cash, besides
$50. 900 advanced for the state to open and
and maintain the school. The entire plant is
worth not less than $50, 900. The building is
of red pressed Gnlden brick, 240 feet in
length, two stories and basement. The
plans are these approved by the Stale Board
| of Education. The state will own one of the
finest normal sch.ol houses in the United
States.
Expense of living and attending the schaol
is shown to be as low as $136 year-a very
favorable comparison with institutions east
or west.
The report contains copy of the courses
nf .fittv with a oan ornoyitinp nf he
school. 1t is gratifying to zee the institution
spring into such vigorous life, ard to see
such school enrolled in the list Of our state
institutions.
The General Assembly will he asked to
make such provision for its growth and per.
manence as its necessities demand. How.
ever far apart the citizens of the state,,may get
in politics. they are II unit upon the main e.
nance of the public school systemi and the
normal school, whence must issue the
teachers of the schools, will receive the most
considerate attention. The state will take no
backyard steps in her educational work,