The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-19

our whole educational problem that IL
should receive the most careful attention
as early as possible. As our law now
stands, there is no standard of qualifica-
tion and the practice of the several cities
and towns Is almost as various as the
number of the towns. In some towns
there is practically no examination re-
quired; and where there is such require
ment, the tests at times will be extremely
rigid and again very simple. Under these
circumstances the name OF teacher comes
To have no Significance and the influence
and prestige of the whole profession suf-
fer. The better class of teachers realize
this state of affairs acutely; but the only
power that can do anything in the premi-
ses is the State, which can prescribe such
conditions for assuming the Office of
teacher as shall fully protect the true
teacher and also our youth and the pub
lie treasury. | strongly urge considera-
tion of the matter OF state certificates,
which has been endorsed by the State
Teachers Association, and the Rhode
Island Institute of Instruction, such GER
tiflcates TO be given only upon proper ex-
animation by qualified board, or upon
presentation OF diploma OF a normal or
training school or college; and no person
not possessed of one of these certificates
10 become a teacher in our public schools.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Our State Normal school is a chief i'm
strument OF this work of training and the
evidence of yearly increased attendance
thereto the point of overcrowding-is
supplemented by the growth OF sentiment
all over the State in favor of Normal
graduates above all others in the selection
of teachers, TO demonstrate "a growing APP
prehension of the idea that n teacher
should not alone be qualified in respect to
her knowledge of subjects, but should re-
eeive an actual training IN pedagogy.
The City of Providence has established a
training school, and Is now sending a
class of student teachers TO the Normal
school for a term, who then take Il course
In the Training school and enter upon their
noble profession equipped for their work
and with the assurance OF preferment and
advancement. The work of the City of
Providence is still in its infancy, and
there is room for improvement aud pro
greSs; but IL is in the right direction aud
enough has been accomplished To indicate
what the benefits are To he To the educa-
tion of our youth. And with this depart
ment of effort, il seems 10 me, the State
Board OF Education should be closely
linked, with view To its advancement
and intelligent administration. | cannot
leave this subject without referring with
qualification 10 the fact that the board has
been able To assist Brown University i'm
opening "A college course for women by
granting TO the University the use OF
iOpihS III Aiic ANoiuidi N'.hpbl bhlhiuks
after the regular school hours The
rooms have also been provided for the
University extension course. The inaug-
uratiOn OF these courses marks an import
ant step in Rhode Island educational pro-
gress aud the greatest interest has been
manifested IN them.
MANUAL TRAINING.
The manual training feature of educa-
tional work has secured n permanent posi-
tiOn in the public mind, though its pro-
gress is still slow. I'm Newport, through
the means afforded by the Townsend be-
quest, work has already been begun in the
forming of classes in cooking and sewing
The city of Newport has also planned for
the erection of "A manual training school,
and i'm Providence such school building
il nearly completed, Co be thoroughly
equipped for work. In Pawtucket, also.
there Is a strong movement which will
doubtless result in the accomplishment of
the same end. The progress Of the valu-
able work 40 the Rhode Island School of
Design demands larger quarters for the
extension OF that admirable institution.
In an industrial state like ours this class
Of school has AN immense utilitarian Inn
portancc. and 10 will be glorious day for
Rhode Island when we can furnish young
men for our manufactures and workshops
equipped with the preliminary education
OF skilled artlzans as we equip others for
the professions.
The condition Of the various edu sationa
4 House - Not Wen Furnished