The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-24
VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Growth Of The System In The Face Of
Strong Prejudice.
PEABODY FUND APPROPRIATIONS.
Tho Summer Training Schools for Teachers.
Largely Attended Institute at Bedford
City--work OF the Normal Schools.

virginia, which was feebly organized and
started in 1870 almost without means and in
the face Of strong native prejudice. has now
grown to stupendous proportions. Where
this department twenty years ago owned
hardly suitable building in which to in-
struct the youth of the land, it now holds
for school purposes school buildings
and school property amounting TO over
two and half millions of dol
lars. From very small beginnings in in
structors and pupils there are now enrolled on
the books Of the public schools over seven
thousand FIVE hundred teachers, and about
three hundred and fifty thousand pupils about
twO-thirds OF which were in regular daily at
tendance last session. While the State pub
lie school system is by no means perfect its
efficiency has increased IN proportion with Its
material growth.
PEABODY INSTITUTES.
The matter of most interest in connection
with the public schools at tsls season of tho
year are the Peabody institutes. or summer
training schools for teachers, which were first
established few years ago. and year by year
have increased In interest and attendance
until moro than o thousand teachers are avail
ing themselves of the opportunity for pro-
fessiOnal training through the Institutes now
in session. These schools are called training
schools. because they are dependent upon
tho State apportlonment from the Peabody
Education Fund for the support Of this work.
and all tho money coming 70 Virginia from
this source is now devoted to this purpose:
For number Of years the State has had
liberal annual appropriations from this fund
10 carry on the Institutes during the vacation
of the schools, and large numbers OF teachers
have ayaied themselves of the opportunity To
improve their professional knowledge.
LOCATES THE INSTITUTES.
These appropriations are made through the
State Department OF Public Instruction, and
the State Superintendent locates the insti-
tutes. selects conductors and instructors and
makes all necessary arrangements for their
control. A large majority OF the
public school teachers III Virginia have
not the privilege of attending normal
schools and therefore their professional
education has been neglected and the Pea
BODY institutes give them an opportunity for
improving themselves that they could not
otherwise enjoy Virginia makes no proyls-
ion for the professional training Of this class
of teachers, though many other States pro-
vide an organized system OF Institutes Tor
their benefit
The indications are that larger number of
teachers Will attend the institutes tins year
than ever before.
Hon John r. Massey State Superintendent.
has prosecuted this matter with great deal OF
vigOr. and il is believed that his efforts Will
result in the most successful work of this
character ever accomplished in Virginia. He
is now attending the National Educational
Association at Toronto. but will return III "A
few DAYS aud commence a tour Of inspection
of the Institutes now IN session.
THE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
While tho State makes no provision for the
training Of teachers already in the work, she
makes lbelal provision for the education or
prospective educators. The Normal Insu-
tute AT Farmville is exclusively devoted TO the
education of white female teachers, while the
normal department of William and Mary
College provides for male teachers.
The friends of this college were at first ap-
prehensive of being able TO incorporate this
feature III the college, butt has proven great
success.
For training colored teachers the State has
provided the Virginia Normal and Collegiate
Institute at Petersburg
There are now four Peabody Institutes in
session. and the one at Bedford City IN charge
of j.. c. Glass. superintendent Of schools at
Lynchburg, is 80 largely attended that 1t be-
came necessary 10 divide it in two, and then
make subdivisions in the conduct OF Ithe two
parts. About six hundred teachers are N at
tendance upon this institute.
Professor Charles II. Winston ia conduct
ing the institute at Hampton, with ali attend
ance of 200. The Harisonburg instruction.
number enrolled.
VIRGINIA NORMAL AND COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
The summer session of the Virginia Normal
and Collegiate Institute has an enrolment of
over three hundred, which is the largest col
ored institute ever held in Virginia. A col
Ofed institute is also bang held at West
Point. The enrolment, however is small.
ga colored institute will be held at Alexandria
for four lweeks, commencing August Sd, to
be conducted by Professor Richard L. Carne.
superintendent of schools Of that city. The
outlook FOR this institute Is very promising.
COLLEGE AT NASHVILLE.
The board Of trustees Of the Peabody Fund
have endowed the Peabody Normal College
at Nashville with scholarships of two years
duration allotted among the Southern States.
and Virginia gets eighteen of these. The
scholarships were established TO aid the
Southern States III creating class
of professionally educated teachers for
the public schools They are awarded on
competitive examination under direction OF
the State Department OF Public INSTRUCTION,
and the applicants are required 20 obhgate
themselves 10 make teaching their life work.
For the several vacancies existing tins year
there were fifty-seven applicants, and the eX-
amnatiOns were held OH the 22d instant nc
the various institutes now N session. The
awards will be made as soon as the papers
can be examined.
The Board of Education has appointed Mr..
George Il. Clarke superintendent OF schools Of
Surry county and Mr.. j. @. Carter superin-
teudent in Wise county. 10 ill vacancies caused
by the resignation Of former incumbents. An
other vacancy exists in Richmond county by
reason Of the death Of Superintendent Robert
Hall, who, besides being sn efficient school
officer. was an accomplished journalist and
for a long time edited the Northern Neck
News.
Mr. j. A. McGilvray. the thoroughly
informed secretary of the Board of Educa-
ton. from whom the above facts were OBJ
tanned. is busily engaged in distributing to
school superintendent throughout the State
400, 900 circulars for school purposes and ar
ranging the details of the work for the COM
ing session.
In the Courts.