Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-29
STATE SCHOOLS.
Names Superintendent Makes
Report Of Their Condition.
Normal, Common and Free High
Have Made Fair Progress.
More Than $4,000, 900 Expended in
These Schools in 1901.

The annual report of the State
superintendent OF schools has been is
sued. II contains suggestions regard
ing some things which the common
school should do for the child; relating
TO the study of United States history
and arithmetic in the common schools
and Il history of education and the
evolution of the present school system
in Maine
The School Improvement League of
OF attention concerning which the
State Superintendent says:
There has long been a feeling
among parents. school officials and
teachers that our schools stand in need
OF certain ideals and vitalizing forces.
1t has for some time been apparent
that we must strive to restore the old
time interest in the local school and
it's work. II is clear that the success
Of the school depends very largely up
on the parents of the community, as
well az upon the sense of responsibility
which the boys and girls themselves
feel for their own training. There has
been constantly increasing idea that
| the schools should not only give in
| .''A III tlcil III tt! teii!I Stuhito, pht
at the same time be responsible for
certain training In citizenship and the
incucation of high ideals in literature
and art.
This general feeling made its con-
crete manifestation in the formation
Of the School Improvement League of
Maine. and the ready acceptance of
the movement into popular favor
! Yt.r,rlI ~ hnyt. kaapIu 10
are our people and our teachers for
| any helps which shall bring increased
usefulness to the public school
The history of the three years ex
istence of this organization is plainly
written not only in the improved con-
dition of scores of schoolrOoms and
school yards but, even better than
that, In an increasing sense of re-
,sponsibllty the pupils are manifesting
lin matters of prime Importance to
them. and in stronger interest in the
| local school,
| Five summer schools for teachers
were held during the summer of 1901.
the towns of Waterville, Fryeburg,
Foxcroft. Pressure Isle and Fort Kent
having been selected as the locations
for the several meetings.
| Inc SCHOOLS were Tie IIIliUSui-
att. supervision of the State super
intendent of public schools aided by
corps of eight competent instructors,
all but two of whom were from insti-
tutions without the State. Each school
excepting Fort Kent was in session
two weeks and no tuition was charged
in any school. The aggregate attend
ance was nearly nine hundred. To
4
school for at least three fourths of the
time during the session a certificate
signed by the State superintendent of
Public schools is awarded las a testi-
monial of professional zeal and faith
full attendance To all who receive
four Of these certificates showing an
attendance upon four sessions Of sum-
liner schools a handsomely engraved
diploma is presented giving evidence
of "meritorious work" on the part OF
the holder.
| Instruct ton was given in Pedagogy.
Elementary Psychology, Nature STUDY
Arithmetic. Language, Primary Meth
DDS. Music Penmanship and Geogra-
Iphv. In Arithmetic, Language and
lGeography the instruction was not SO
much confined to the technical facts
land principles of the several branches,
for with these the teacher was pre-
suned to be familiar. but was devoted
mainly to giving an insight INTO the
best and most approved methods OF
teaching these several studies'Hnd the
most modern plans of class work IN
1.-THE different grades of common schools.
Among the agencies that have been
set in operation as aids to our educa-
tional system and In fact now Frecos-
nized. as q most important part thereof
the teachers institutes rank second TO
" none During the year just closeu
some sixty Institutes have been held,
) with an aggregate attendance OF over
IS. 900.
This has been made up of parents,
school officials, teachers and pupils, Inc
lgrocing Interest IN these meetings on
the part Of parents Is evidenced by the
:, increased attendance OF this class
fror, year to year and is most encour-
Laying to those who are laboring for the
education OF the youth of our state
No, only are parents attending tbs
meetings In larger numbers than HHei
before. but they are more easily ln'
dured to take part in the discussion:
and in many instances have prepared
valuable papers on topics formerly
discussed by professionals only. Thes'
lpapers. from a standpoint heretofore al
most entirely neglected or overlooked
thave been of unreasonable advantage
o both 10 teachers and pupils. Will
upon this topic il may be pertinent t
" state that these meetings are doin'
much to remove from the minds O
parents the idea that their duties an
RESPONSIBILITIES in school matters ceas
IS, when they have provided ,tolerably wei
equipped schoolrooms. sufficient text
books. teachers and school superin
tenderts. The closer relation betwee
" the parent and the school Is largely tn
outcome of the institute and is recas
nized by educational workers as Oh
of the most hopeful signs of improve
n,ent in our public schools.
Teachers Institutes in Maine hav
= naturally grouped themselves in thre
- distinct classes. First, those embrat
ing a small number OF contiguou
towns: second, those taking in
moiety Of a county and third, those in
Guiding the county as a whole. fhes
- different classes OF institutes hay