The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-12-14
A RETROSPECT.
The County Institute EStab.
liSh0d.- Changes in the
School Term.
MINIMUM SCHOOL TERN.

/ anu COAlpuItS tIlS SCtuS WIFI silc plC-
ture of what passed for county in
stitute one-third of u century ago, 1t
starts in the mind of the old teacher
/ train of reflections. The writer was
/ present at the first one and has not
missed many since.
A glance over the thirty years exist
ence of the county institute may be of
some interest to the young teacher, at
| least.
/ While there had been growing sem
! timent that more effective work could
be done by teachers If they should
have an organization, and meet at
stated intervals for conference and in
struction in the art of teaching, it
wasn't until April 8, 1867, that John
w. Geary, Governor of this state
| signed the bill establishing by law a
county teachers institute.
That bill provides that the county SUI
perintendent is hereby authorized and
required, once in each year, to call
upon and invite the teachers of the
common schools, and other institu-
tions of learning in his county, to as
/ sembleJ and organize them
| selves into a teachers institute to be
devoted to the Improvement of teachers
/ in the science and art of education, to
continue in session at least five days
| including u half day for going to, and
Il half day for returning from the
place of meeting of the said institute.
For the financial support of the in
stitute, the superintendent is author
/ lied to draw from the county treasury
Il sum equal to one dollar for each
/ three days attendance by members,
| provided the sum shall not exceed two
hundred dollars but may in all cases
| be sixty dollars. Of course, the super
| intendent cannot draw any money from
/ the county treasurer without first de-
posting with the treasurer vouchers
] showing that the money has been used
in the payment Of the legitimate eX-
penses of the institute.
/ The evening lecture course is an in
| dependent feature, and is largely u
private enterprise. The superintend-
ent hires the lectures, and is personal
/ ly liable for their pay. TO meet this
| expense he charges an admission fee.
/ If not enough is realized by this meth
cd he must go down into his own pock-
ct for the shortage: If there is II sur
| plus, he reports the same to the State
Department, but, of course is not ask
ed to pay it over. At the close of the
institute the superintendent is required
to submit every item of receipt and eX-
penditure, whether of day work or
1t is entirely optional with the super
intendent whether or not he have II
night lecture course, just as it is OPP
tional with the teachers or any one else
whether they attend.
For several years after the estab-
fishing of the county institute by law
there was considerable prejudice
against them; so strong was this in
many districts, that it was hardly con-
sidered safe for II teacher to attend, if
he cared anything for his chances with
the board next year.
During the first year of the common
school system, three months of twenty
four days each constituted a legal
term. In 1854 the twenty-four day
month was reduced to twenty-five, and
four months made the minimum-teach-
ers keeping school open every other
Saturday. In 1868 the school term
was heightened from four to five
mained unchanged. No change was
now made until 1887 when the minimum
term was made six months, and the
length of the month twenty days actual
teaching.
Before this time, teachers were al
lowed to close their schools on all le-
gal holidays, and count these days
and the days in attendance at the
county institute, as so much time
taught. Hence, while five months of
twenty-five days each constituted the
term, after the school had been closed
on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New
Year, Washington's Birthday, and
Good Friday and the five days at in
stitute, there were but one hundred
days of actual teaching, and the teach
er was paid for one hundred and ten
days.
TO simplify matters, our legislators
in 1887 said we shall shorten each
month two days, and pay the teachers
for their attendance at institute. Thus
matters stood until the last session of
the Legislature, when the minimum
term was heightened to seven months.
The county institute of thirty years
ago was very different affair from
that of the present. 1t then took on
the form of school. Glasses were
formed, or rather the teachers were all
placed in one class, and regular in
struction in the common school
branches was given. The principal
feature in the institute OF 1868 was a.
spelling contest. Several prizes had
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