Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-09-10

al ideals of Vermont, nor can they, under
existing conditions and in their present
locations, ever assume their rightful place
in these particulars.
4th. Training school facilities. The
opportunities for aflording normal school
students practical training in teaching
and school management are lamentably
poor and insufficient. The number of
children in the model or practice schools
should be not less than three times ~
great % the enrolment of normal school
students, and for really satisfactory work
should be even greater. The insufficient
amount and the inferior kind Of practice
work now obtained by the normal stu
dents are among the most serious defects
in the present system.
9th. Standard OF admission. The
standard of admission and consequently
the grade of work done by the students il
too low. The requirements for entrance
are appreciably lower than those demand
ed by the state for entrance to high
schools under the free tuition law Of
1906. In the opinion OF the commission,
however, the standard OF admission cam
not be materially raised 80 long as the
normal schools remain in their present
general condition.
9Th. Possibilities of improvement and
growth. The outlook for the improve
ment and growth OF the normal schools
in their present locations is not encourage
ing. Under the existing conditions OF
ownership, extensive repairs and needed
alterations are impossible, and without
them the work will continue to be badly
handicapped. The untoward conditions
are inherent and not merely external.
The boarding facilities for students are
far from satisfactory at present, many res
idents even now furnishing accommoda-
lions for students at considerable incon-
venience. 1t would be practically impos-
sible, especially at johnson and Ran
dolph, to house any appreciably larger
number of students, should the normal
schools increase in size. The communi-
ties where the schools are situated are
small and not growing, so that there is
no apparent prospect of sufficient train
ing school facilities. The schools are,
moreover, somewhat difficult of access
from large portions Of the state, fact
that initiates against their best success
Although they are state institutions
the schools are entirely dependent upor
the good will of both the communities
where they are situated and of a few in
plants for the maintenance of the build
ings, the provision of boarding accommo
dations and the size and character Of thu
training Standardization that should
not characterize state institutions.
In view OF the foregoing facts, YOU
commission desires to make the follow
ing recommendations
1. That definite policy be adopted
that shall contemplate thu successive re
placing of the present normal schools by
modern, adequate plants, with dormi
| tories and ample grounds, the property t.
] be owned by the state and located in
/ places convenient of access where sufh
cient and proper training school facilities
are to be had.
| ii. That the General Assembly autho
rize and order the erection OF new nor
NAL school, with ample buildings, &C
commodations and equipment, located IL
a town of sufficient size, easy OF acces
from the eastern and central parts OF tn
state, and that a sufficient sum of none.
be appropriated for the establishment
and maintenance of such a first-clas
/ plant. 1t is further recommended that tn
new normal school shall displace the pre-
sent school at Randolph, which shal
cease to be maintained as q state norma
school when the new school shall b
opened for students.
4 The entrance requirements for such
i school should be raised to graduation
| from high schools OF the first class or It
equivalent, and q correspondingly richie
and broader course of study be intro
duced, one that shall include professions
and scholastic studies, practical trainin
in sufficiently large classes, elementar
agriculture and industrial training an
domestic science. Such q central, high
grade normal school could well condue
and supervise training classes in othe
towns not too far distant, and thus in
crease its influence and field Of practices
utility.
!, III. That the normal schools at Johr
son and Castleton be continued for tn
present, and that an increased approprii
ton be voted for each Of these schools, q
foiIows:--A Gum of $4,000 annually fo
each school and an additional annual al
preparation of "a, 900 to be applied 10 sal
schools in the discretion of the board {
normal school commissioners according
I the varying needs Of said schools, provit
| ed that in no year shall the portion
one school exceed $4,000; that the apr
, priation Tor the normal school at Raj
dolph during it's continuance be at Il
> rate of 81, 500 annually.
Nv. That in any locality where no
: NAL school is situated, or may be locates
| the community shall enter upon lon
: term contract with the state to furnis
: cor the use of the normal school sati