The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-11-12

The mos, careful study believe that our
greatest need nov for further develop
ment u our educational system Il pro-
vision for the proper aud adequate
training Of teachers. Facts carefully
gathered show, indeed. tina; IN respect
10 such training Vermont is not only
sadly behind the other New England
states. but that she il behind major
inv OF the states Of the Union, Our
normal schools as now constituted ana
answered 10 reasonable
degree the demand Of the time when
they were established but in the chang
ed conditions OF the last 10 years. they
are entirely inadequate.
Under joint resolution adopted by
the legislature OF 1906 commission OF
five members was appointed by GOV.
Proctor 10 consider the present status
and the equipment OF the normal
schools Of the state, 10 compare the
same with the normal school facilities
of other states" and report 10 the leg
isla,ure OF 1905. This commission, IN
its report submitted at the opening oil
the present session, finds, IN substance,
that our present normal school build
ing three in numberl are entirely IN
adequate for the present needs OF the
state. The state has no ownership IN
them, they are unsttractlve, deficient
in sanitary conditions, poorly lighted
and they lack proper equipment OF
apparatus, natural history collections
and normal training material. The
funds available do not command the
services of the best teachers, enrich
ment of the course of study is impossi-
BILE. the standard of admission is too
low, and the opportunities for the prac-
teal training of teachers by work and
observation in practice schools are
lamentably poor and inefficient.
TO remedy this state OF things the
commission recommends that the nor
NAL schools at johnson and Castleton
be continued for the present with an
increased appropriation foreach school,
and that at some suitable central point
ON the East side OF the state a new
normal school, with ample buildings
and modern equipment be erected--thls
school when completed, to displace the
present normal school at Randolph.
A bill for the erection of such a
school was introduced IN the House
last week, carrying an Appropriation
Of sl25, 900. For reasons stated at the
beginning OF this article this sum may
look large TO many Of the Legislators,
hut We believe they should consider
carefully, before deciding against the
measure. whether II does not repres'
..nt one of our leading and most press.
ing interests as n state, and one which
cannot be ignored if Vermont is Il
keep anywhere near in line with The
times. The whole subject of our ed
ueat,onal situation. OF our family sys
TEN aud our pressing needs, is covered
in detail, but comprehcnsiyely ant
forcibIy, but the state superintendent
OF education. Mason 5. Stone, IN hli
annual report which is now IN Thu
hands Of every member OF the legisla
ture. His array Of facts ia convincing
and his arguments and appeal in behal
of our educational needs AS a stat
seem To us 10 be unanswerable. IL
shows how, with our present means
facilities and equipment Il is ntterl
impossible 10 train IN any adeqnht
way the teachers who are 10 exert thei
! influence and leave their mark on VI
bows and girls who are TO form the mex
generation of our citizenship. III
most urgent and telling plea OF all
made for such reform in our presen
educational system, aud for the intro
duction OF such courses in normal an
technical training ms shall III our child
rem for the ayocations OF our nativ
Vermont life ms farmers, merchants
manufacturers, give them squar
chance in the world and make on
higher schools III the needs of the ch
dren IN their Vermont environment ~
stead Of the children oeing forced
III the curriculum of the schools with
college course rs the chief desiders
tum.
A new normal school II establishe
should be founded on the broade'
lines. II should not only train teaei
err 10 teach. but il should be- so loea
ed tina, the young folk 3ho seek i
advantages and the greater part
! these will inevitably be girls and yonn
women from the small rural commun
ties may be put IN touch with lie
the world at large aud 80 carry the
own hruadened outlook 10 the youn
minds int will come under their dire
! tion.
/ One plea 10 the Legislators Is tn
! they do nos summary turn ao~n y
r proposition for pew normal scho
! because il calls for an appropriation
/. $685. but thai they consider u
1 Question on IT, merits, and as Il shec
: the future development. and well beis
!. of %, state. And le, them rememb
i tbs, there is nothing for which q
q people a, large and az sbple ~
i their money 80 willingly a. for gc'
!. schools.
- tk4sE