The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-28
NORMAL SCHOOL.
Continued from Page L.

considerable extent was thrown forward into
the third year. This secured moro nearly
equal ability in the the members of tho class
when they took up the more difficult work
Of tho course. In 1890 another half year was
added 70 the course. extending tho time on
arithmetic. English grammar ana history
The time required of high school graduates
remained one year. Again, in 1898, whom tho
training school was established, another term
was added to make room for the training
work, this time at tho upper end, making
the course four years. Tho course was ro'
first and second years algebra physic, botany,
Latin and history; so as not 10 provide Tor
teaching the common school studies at the be-
ginning OF the course.
slight modification Of this course seems
now 20 be desirable namely, 20 divide the
four years course into two courses distinct
from each other but the ono To follow the
other.
The regular normal training course then
would bo two years course substantially
the samo as tho last two yoars, tho junior
ana senior years at present. To this course
good high school graduate, and those having
equivalent education would bo admitted and
those who havo completed with approval the
elementary course The first two years
would constitute tho elementary course, TO
which students would be admitted as in tho
past. Those who complete the regular full
course would be graduated and given tho
diploma OF the school; those who complete
tho elementary course might DO given eert
ficatc.
Is this course, the regular normal training
course, sufficiently strong, IL requires as
schools furnish. Those who mako their pre-
paration in tho elementary course must be
able when they onter tie advanced course 20
compete with graduates Of high schools.
Then IL embraces two years OF study, obser-
walton and practice in actual teaching; The
work OF the course requires maturity of
mind, ability TO do independent thinking and
somo talent for teaching.
The training department has been in opera
tiOn now two years and we can begin 70 estt-
mate its value in the work Of tho Normal
School. The school has cost the Normal School
"A good deal besides the expense of carrying it
on, but 10 has been of inestmable service.
The study o. education and teaching with
concrete ILLUSTRATION much OF tho time before
the student and in her own experience is "A
much moro invigorating and broadening eX-
erciso than when pursued abstractly and
Theoretically. The students Introduction 10
teaching undor sympathetic guidance, encour.
agemont and criticism of wise and skiltul
teacher Is Of greatest Importance To her sue
coss The establishment Of the school was an
experiment, OF course, and tho experiment
has been made under trying conditions, but
II has certainly boon "A successful experiment
Gifts of specimens havc been received dur
Nj. d., Of Bcirout. Syria,a considerable colloc.
tion OF fossils and relics from Syria and
Egypt, and from "hr. William Howard of this
city fossil animal remains from Wyoming.
The catalogue and circular of the State
Normal School for 1895 Is worthy OF care
full perusal
BY the act OF the General Assembly,
Normal School was placed "under the
management of the State Board of Edu-
cation and the Commissioner of Public
Schools as a Board of Trustees" +"
The Board of Trustees for 1896 consists
of: His EXcellency the Governor, Charles
Warren Lippitt; His Honor, the
Lieutenant-Governor, EdwiTr. X.
Allen; Samuel ii. Cross, Westerly;
Frank H. Thompson, Newport;
George Il. Baker, Darlington; Rev.
Charles j. White Woonsocket; John Il.
Kendrick, Providence; Samuel W. X.
Allen, East Greenwich; Thomas b.
Stockwell, Commissioner of public
schools and secretary of board of trustees.
The following comprise the board of
examiners: Rev. James Ct. Vose, ID. D.,
Providence; Rev. Wilbur Johnson, Slaters-
Vile; III. Russell Dunno, NJ. d., Westerly;
Rev. William NJ Chaplin, harrington Centre;
Rev. Il. IL. Porter, Newport; t. w. ID.
Clark, Centreville.
The faculty and pupils will have a social
time this evening, followed by banquet.