Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-02
The SUMNER NORMAL
SEVEN INSTITUTES HELD THIS YEAR
WITH GRATIFYING RESULTS
The Attendance Of Teachers Larger Than
Ever BEFORE and the Instructions
Moro Beneficial.

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several normal institute held in different
sections ot the State during the past
summer have been submitted 20 the SUI
perfnUndent OF Public Instruction.
When the complaint OF stringeucy In
the money-msrket has been so general II
Is remarkable that seven OF these sum
mcr schools have been so largely at
tended by the teachers OF the public
schools OF the state. 1t speaks we'll for
The spirit and devotion OF these teachers
that they have from their scanty stores
made such sacrifices 10 advance them
selves In academic knowledge and in
knowledge OF the best methods OF schools
teaching. No servants OF the people
make Ike sacrifices for the public good.
Few are fairly paid. many receive scant
saAries and serve for short terms. Out
SIDE or the cities and towns, few schools
are open for more than Ave months In
year ana many for not so long term.
SCHOOL OF THE MASSES.
The public school IL now the school OF
the great masses. No ancient prejudice
OF recent argument can undermine the
lAith OF the people In this institution.
Livery enort 20 increase the efficiency or
tnc teacher becomes a public necessity.
The people Of Virginia submit to a taxa
ton OF million and a half Of dollars
tor the support OF the public schools.
10 justify this outlay and make II tho
roughly efficient, the State Board Of Edu-
cation, the school officers I'm every town
snip OF the State. and more than 500
teacners are specially commissioned by
the largest constituency The advance
mont OF the people generally makes 1t
necessary to advance the standard Of the
teacher.
The Department Of Public Instruction
during the current year has taken an adj
vaneed step to insure better teachers by
giving greater efficiency to the summer
schools The Legislature made this step
possible. For the first time In the history
of the public schools in this State 1t made
special recognition OF the needs OF these
schools by making an appropriation OF
$500 for their partial support. Through
Hon ]. l. NJ. Curry. general agent. this
Peabody fund had heretofore been the
sole financial patron OF this wise scheme
for the better preparation OF teachers,
and through his friendly agency the state
appropriation was literally supplemented
from that fund this year.
PUBLIC DEMAND RECOGNIZED.
The demand for more summer ncrmals,
and 50 located as TO be accessible to the
largest number OF teachers, was recog-
nized. School officers and others III vari-
Gus sections OF the State pledged their
best efforts for the success Of the schools
II they were located at points in their
vicinity.
The members OF the State Board OF
Observation-Disclosures O'Ferran. Attorney
General Scott, and Superintendent Mas
sey--durnR the early spring months care
fully considered plans for the estab-
lishment and conduct OF the normals
IL was decided 20 establish six schools
In addition to the summer session OF the
Petersburg Normal. and TO so locate them
that they would serve the largest num-
Der possible. and at the same time make
them schools for thorough work IL may
be said that heretofore the best results
had not been attained through the nor
mails. The work had been defective TOT
lack OF system. continuity, and thorough
ness. To meet this defect "a course or
instruction WAS carefully prepared, IN
connection with which partial course
OF reading was prescribed, having REFER
ence To the actual wants OF teachers III
the school-roop. The course Of instruc-
ton and reading is designed 10 cover
three years, the first years course nav
fig been given this year For the hfst
GEAR IN. reading course embraced only
coes. The course for the second year
win be announced hereafter by the state
Superintendent.
ADVANCED METHODS OF TEACHING
AT the several Institutes the outline
of instruction was carefully followed. IT
was found sufficient nor the years work.
and well adapted 10 the needs Of teachers.
Advanced methods Of teaching were IL
Illustrated in the living example or the
Instructors. To make the work thorough
and as nearly uniform as possible were
constantly kept in view. Discourse merely
theoretical in character, and Of little prac-
teal value to teachers OF the public
schools. was avoided and effort was made
10 conduct the work of each normal on
the plan Of a well-organized school
The total enrolment at the several
schools was as follows:
FOR WHITE TEACHERS.