Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-09-24

ANOTHER NORMAL agPoHT.
Commissioners Join In aseemmsns-
Inc ststs- Owned School Plants.
The board Of normal school commits
sioners, consisting Of Walter 3. Howard
of Middlebury, O. d. Mathewsou Of
Barre, Joha l. Alger OF 6axtcns River,
Mason 8. Stone Of Montpelier, b. L.
Clark Of Castletou, c. h. 6tearns OF John
son and A. e. Edson OF Randolph Osnter,
has made public its annual report, the
text Of which follows:-
As required by law, the board Of normal
school Commissioners herewith submits
it, biennial report for the school years
Of 1867 and 1907-s. The statistical re-
port hereto annexed shows that the num-
bers in attendance at the three schools
have in the aggregate slightly increased
over the preceding biennial period, and
that the number OF graduates has also,
in the aggregate, slightly increased. 1t
is matter of Qualification that an in
cressing number of students complete
their normal course.
"The educational system of the state
should be regarded rs . unit. While the
state has q right to expect that the nor
NAL schools shall set standards and lead
the way, their leadership, to be effective
and intelligent, must recognize actual
conditions and keep in touch with the
elementary schools; for the foundation OF
our school system IL the elementary
school, not the normal school
at is for that reason that the recent sd-
vance in the educational policy of the
state-providing skilled supervision aid
| ing secondary schools, requiring towns
to provide high school instruction, sup
plying means of conveyance, centralizing
| schools and doing away with small ones
has been beneficial to the normal schools.
This has enabled the normal schools 70
drop their preparatory courses and to
raise their requirements both for admis.
sion and graduation. Further strength.
lening Of the courses of study is desirable
and it may be accomplished In one oil
1.-TWO ways. We may limit admission te
the normal school to graduates Of ap
proved secondary schools, which wouit
result in q better educated and mor'
skilful product, and also in a temporary
ldiminution of the number Of graduates
lSuch plan would require two years
attendance by graduates OF approved
secondary schools, instead OF one year, a.
at present, and should be followed by lif
certification at the completion OF tn
course. The other alternative would no
limit admission to the schools as above
but would require four years attendanc
by graduates of elementary schools ant
1.-TWO years by graduates of approves
secondary schools. Under this plan
graduates OF elementary schools shoui
receive ten years certihcation at tn
completion OF their normal course. I'm
der either plan, normal school certifica
tion would be dignified and enhanced i
value. Reorganization should be elm
mated.
. "Such an extension of the course c
study would enable certain desirabl
changes to be made in the curricuiuu
! These should be OF two kinds. Tn
!, crowd condition should be relieved an
! provision should be made for the intro
duction of several new branches d.
) named by changed conditions. II &C
: mission is limited to graduates of al
proved secondary schools, the profession
al side of the work can be further en-
Iphasized. II graduates OF eiementar
schools are admitted TO . four year
course, the additional two years provide
I for their work will allow much moi
: Thorough and adequate preparation o
0 both the academic and professional side
-
. attention OF the legislature to the need ,
: permanent teachers in drawing and mus
, ct each school and to the growing deman
. for place in public schools for instru
> ton in manual training and elementaI
, Horticulture. We again urge the attentio
!. of the Legislature to these subject
{ There are two well established reason
for tie introduction of manual trainiu
into the normal schools. First, its gem
inc educational value for all pupil
President Eliot has said: The huns
; mind pervsdes the body. 1t Is not in Il
+ bead, but il II all over the body; m
when you train the hand or the eye
q the ear, you train the mind Second, !
pedagogical value. This work, II il vii
{ place in the school system, must be intr
ducsd in the elementary schools. tt
J. same principle applies in this as in piaI
Y playing, which develops . certain XIII
), Of manual dexterity. We do not expo
> to produce skilful musicians unless
q begin the practice in childhood.
h should not be the purpose Of the norm
schools to train specialists in manu-
training for the city schools, but to 81
training that will enable . teacher
work intelligently under . special sup<
L visor or to take the initiative herself
the rural school which does not have &
advantage Of . specially trained super
!. sor. To introduce this work, ii Is nee,
sary that the teacher should have b
r some training herself In the elements
forms Of manual training. The norm
9. schools are the natural and proper plat
4. to supply this training. Beginnin