Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-01
OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT IT'S
OPERATIONS IN THESE TIMES.
TIE VALUE OF TRAINED TEACHERS.
Work OF the summer Normnis-What
They Have Done This Year
Scholarships Recently Awarded
other Information.

COnohCtfu lil NdilouS ldilS VI tht 'ldi'
under the direction OF the State Board
Of Education
The most obvious demands OF the public
schools are larger number of qualified
teachers. and greater facilities for school
work In the way Of improved buildings,
furniture, and school apparatus. In the
cities generally. and in many rural dis
tricts. enlightened demands for the public
schools are meeting announcement.
The first demand. is. of course, a larger
number Of thoroughly qualified teachers.
Good teachers first. and better equip
ments will follow
From the day the public school system
was established in this state. and its
control placed in the hands Of that in
comparable organizer Or. w. II. Run
ner- the Horace Mann Of the South
the State school authorities have spe-
cially directed their Efforts TO securing
teachers educa ted and skilled in the art
OF instruction. With each year the diif-
Guilty OF securing trained teachers grows
less The healthy influences OF Farm
Vile and Nashville and the Petersburg
and Hampton schools for colored teach
ers are acknowledged throughout the
state.
SHOULD BE TRAINED PROFESSION
ALLY.
While It IL true that the stress at one
time laid upon mere methods is no longer
aIl-controling for methods. without edu-
cation and other pedagogic qualifications,
avail little-yet It is obvious that the
teacher. however otherwise qualified,
should b. trained professionally.
II is noteworthy that the great body
OF teachers in Virginia are alive 10 the
importance Of higher education and a
knowledge Of the better ways Of teach
ing Their interest in these matters
is attested by their Jealous support Of
all means which look TO lettering the
condition Of the schools. In spite Of poor
paw. short school terms, and the con-
tingencies OF reappointment they make
sacrifices. that are little understood by
the public. for the good Of their pupils
and patrons and the highest demands OF
society.
THE SUMMER NORMALS.
Among the means that have been
adopted for the better training Of teach
ers are the summer normals. These
schools now form a part Of the public
school system Of the State. They are
managed by the State Board Of Educa-
ton. through the superintendent of
Public Instruction. and are supported
by an annual appropriation Of $500 By
the Legislature. and donations from the
Peabody Trust through its general
agent. Hon. j. L. NJ. Curry, Of amounts
varying from year 10 year. but not eN-
ceeding the sums appropriated by the
State
The local authorities where the normals
are held make provision for local
arraneements-halls. recitation rooms
accommodations for teachers. etc.
In the selection Of localities for the
schools the State Superintendent has
been governed by accessibility, healthful-
ness. facilities for school work, and
aereeableness for teachers who spend a
month from home. There is no little com
petitlon for the location OF these schools,
from year 10 year The chief aim Is 20
bring these means Of education within
the reach Of the largest number or
teachers in need Of training.
ABOUT TIE INSTRUCTORS.
The instructors in the several summer
normals were selected from among the
most experienced and successful in this
State. representing the best pedagoEic
talent OF every section. To these were
added many eminent teachers from
other States.
During the summer normals were
held for white teachers al Bristol. Farm
vile. and Tappahannock, conducted re-
spectively by Professors Q. II. winston
John 4 Cunningham, and Thomas >.
Stubs. each assisted ~ a corps o. eN-
perienced teachers familiar with the
schools Of the State.
The School Of Methods also for white
teachers. which was held al Charlotte
Vile this year. was conducted By Profess
sor f. c. Glass Here were enrolled
nearly 800 teachers. the largest number
that has attended this school during the
eight years Of its existence. In addition
10 a fine corps Of instructors from the
schools and colleges Of Virginia ana the
University. the authorities were enabled
10 increase largely the interest and value
of the School Of Methods, by securing the
aid Of many teachers Of national reputa-
ton from other sections Of the Union.
Among these were representative teachers
from seven other states. teachers dis
tinguished for their excellency in special
departraents-yiz Wickliffe Ross. Nash
Vile w F. Goody. Connecticut; Miss
Coffin. Detroit: Mr. II. l.. Southwick.
Boston. and Wilbur r. Jackman Or
Cooke county normals These and others
o. equal fame are well known and es-
teemed by teachers and scholars through
the entire country.
Annie provision FOR similar instruction
for colOred teachers was provided in the
schools held al Stanton. conducted BY
Superintendent j. II. Bader stanton;
HAMPTON BY Miss Mary r. Hamlin. Of
the Hampton Normal. and at Petersburg
under the management Of President j.
II. Johnston. u the Virginia Normal and
Collegiate Institute
The enrolment during the summer ~
these schools for white teachers was l,lJ0;
for colored. 5s5.
THE STUDIES.
The studies pursued followed the pre-
scrlbed list arranged by State-Superin-
tondent Massey several years ago, FORM
ing a part Of a curriculum carefully
graded with reference 10 progressive
work from year u year. These subjects
embrace theory and practice OF teach
INK. reading. writing. arithmetic. geogra-
ply. history. grammar. language phys!o-
logy. drawing. &c. with special attention
10 primary methods In addition 70 the
regular course at the School Of Methods.
Charlottesville. further instruction was
given IN psychology. pedagogy. elemen-
tary science, vocal music manual train
Ing. botany. algebra. English literature.
etc The field OF American literature
was made Of profound interest and plea
sure by the lectures Of Dr. Charles W.
Kent. University Of Virginia.
While regular attendance was noted.
and dnlgent attention 10 school work re-
qulred. liberal provisions were made FOR
recreation. Amusement. and instructive
diversion OF teachers when "off duty" In
the way Of concerts. popular lectures,
readings. dramatic and musical enter