The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-08-26
Report of County superintendent
J. NJ. Berkey to the State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction, for
the Year Ending June 1. 1891.

Educafionaily, the last year has been a
prosperous and progressive one for the coun-
ty Compared with the record Of previous
years, our teachers s. class have held a
higher grade Of scholarship. and the work
in the schools has been marked by greater
efficiency and zeal. Nearly all of them at
tended special training schools before begin
ming the work OF last year, quite number
having been students at the State Normal
schools.
Somerset county has no cities or large
towns, and consequently presents few imme-
diate openings to young people intellectually
inclined. Many Of the brightest and bcst
young ladies, therefore. readily come into
the teachers ranks, thus giving Us class Of
teachers for the public schools which be
lieve is not surpassed anywhere for the wages
paid. Unfortunately for the schools, how
ever, we can hold many Of the most COM
peient and successful but very few years,
or until they have learned how to teach,
when they are called to I'LL more remun-
erative positions elsewhere. Many good
| positions in other counties and states are
filed every year by those who took their
first lessons in teaching among the " hills Of
Somerset" They can afford to go, but We
cannot afford 10 lose them; and we conf
IDENTIFY hope that in the near future our peo-
pie, through their representatives, the direc-
tors, will inaugurate a more liberal, yet
economic, policy which shall retain and
utilize all the teaching talent which our
county develops.
During the last year, seven new and good
school houses were built, twenty-five rooms
supplied with improved furniture and large
number OF schools furnished with apparatus
along the line Of charts, maps, dictionaries,
ETC. Paint township supplied some Of the
textbooks from the district funds. This is
the first step in the direction of free text
books in this county. Public sentiment,
that great factor in the substantial and
lasting improvement of all educational in
terests, continues to grow in favor and sup
port of more liberal and efficient school
management.
The work in the graded borough schools
has been generally satisfactory. Some of the
courses Of study were revised and extended,
and uniform standard of graduation was
adopted. Twelve pupils were graduated and
several classes passed in the Junior Year
studies. 1t is a matter of regret, however,
that the principals Of these schools are not
more permanent. So long as directors con-
tinue to treat these principalships as vacant
at the close Of each school term, and upon
slight pretexis select new ones to fill them,
50 long will the schools lack the harmonious
and substantial development which should
and would characterize them under the con-
tinued management of efficient principals.
A good teacher in any school should be con-
tinued from year to year, and if necessary at
an increased salary. The system of timer
ancy among teachers is most discouraging to
them, damaging to the schools and expensive
TO the districts. 1t may be eounteracted,
Ql By paying higher wages all around f"
(2) by electing teachers who hold professional |
and permanent certificates for two and three |
years respectively, as the law provides; 90 |
by recognizing successful experience in |
teaching and paying for it in addition to
grade of certificate; a. by treating as va
cant only such positions where the teacher |
fails to give satisfaction VI desires change. |
The practicability of grading the country
schools and directing the work by course
of study has been seriously considered and
was frequently brought to the attention Of
teachers and directors during the year. En-
eouraged by the very general endorsement /
Of the plan, we have prepared 8 course of /
study for the sO-called ungraded - schools
which will be published in pamphlet form.
While recognizing the necessity for closer
supervision to make effective such course
Of study, yet We believe that even without
this help, something may be done through
the voluntary interest on the part of the
teachers 20 greatly improve and strengthen
the district schools.
Local institute work was kept up during
the school term with more than usual inter
est and enthusiasm. Many teachers have
done nobly in this department of their pro-
fession; but there are Others who still fail to
realize OF appreciate their privileges and
duties outside of the schoolroom. A good
district institute is not only potent factor
in the development of teaching power, but is
a most helpful means to reach the public
mind, touch the public conscience, and bring
into effective harmony all the educational
forces of community. We propose 10 or
ganize the local institute work this year in
every district at the beginning Of the school
term and by the aid Of district leaders sup
ported by a corps of earnest competent
teachers to keep them up regularly. The
district leaders will be elected by the teach
ers and viii give monthly reports OF the
educational work in their several districts to
the county superintendent. Evening edu-
cational meetings viii be held in connection
with the visiting of schools
The County Institute, as usual, was the
educational event of the year-a most inter
esting and successful session. The very
severe snow storms interfered greatly with
the attendance of teachers and directors, and
to avoid the chances of such weather, as
well as for other and better reasons, the next
session will be held in November.
The directors of the county have taken
decided step in advance in the organization
of permanent County Association. The
first meeting was held in March of this year,
and about two-thirds of the districts were
represented. Four sessions were held, and
a number of practical questions very ably
discussed. Free textbooks, district super
vision, county uniformity Of textbooks, and
an annual convention Of directors provided
for by law, were sll sustained and heartily
endorsed. Hon. Henry Houck, the popular
and efficient Deputy State Superintendent,
was present and gave valuable assistance.
The Association thus started out on its mis-
sion will, We believe, become an important
factor in the educational progress of this
county. Every director should feel it a
privilege as well as duty to attend all its
regular meetings, and thus bring to his dis
trict the benefit of its best thought and
work. We hope, too, that the Legislature
will provide that such a convention may be
held and attended by every director without
any personal sacrifice of time and money.
The increase in the State appropriation
brings much encouragement to the school
forces in this county, and already there is
manifested a disposition to meet halfway
this munifcent State aid. The county will |
receive $4,000 more from the State at the |
close Of the present school year than was
raceived in any nrevious wear and We GAR