The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-12
x. RES. OF 5l.m cox

RES. OF r.
perintendent, OF schools, more than the
usual progress has been made along
these lines. The facts and figures to
show the progress Of the past few
years will be given later in the Ed
ucatiopal Department of The Times
Dispatch. It Is enough to say here
that, as in some other matters, Prince
Edward has set a goodly pace in
popular education. and it's schools are
now among the leaders in the State.
The stntc Normal.
The State Female Normal School.
located here, is the pride OF Farmville
and Prince Edward county and in
deed 1t is, or. ought to be-, the pride
OF the State.
1t was not until about thirty years
ago that the public mind inSyirglnia
came to connect tile stableness Of free
institutions with the intelligence OF
the people, and to see that general ed
ucation is the basis of general thrift.
The first Legislature to assemble af-
ter the adoption OF the post-bellum
Constitution established Gully 11,1S7O),
a system OF public free schools. For a
dozen years or more the conduct Of
these schools was entrusted to such
teaching force as was found ready at
hand. In this experimental period moth
Ing was more fully demonstrated
than that, il tie returns We're
to be in any wise commensurate
with the cost and the high
mission of the system. some provision
must be made for a reliable source of
supply. of teachers fitted by education
Sro{ TIT, fo,
this demand the Legislature, in March,
1884. passed an act establishing the
State Female Normal School. In Oc-
tober Of the same year the work of
the school was begun. buildings long in
use for school purposes, having been
procured in the town of Farmville.
One hundred and ten students were
enrolled the first session. From the
outset the school has steadily grown,
making necessary, from time to time,
the enlargement OF its Recommendations.
The school is supported by funds
from the following sources: The State
appropriation. and tuition fees. paid
by Virginia students in excess Of the
number who receive free tuition, and
by students from other States.
The Good Work Done.
During the twenty-four years of its
existence the school has sent out over
700 graduates. nearly all of whom are.
or have been, teachers of the public
schools in the State. There have been
over 1000 matriculates. OF these. a
large number (besides those who have
graduated) have carried to the differ
emit sections of the State some knowl-
edge Of the methods and aims Of the
school. There is hardly a county or
city In the State where one Of It's
graduates may not be found, and no
section where its influence has not
been felt.
Its Aims and objects.
The State Female Normal School
exists as a technical institution for
the training Of teachers to carry on
the work OF popular education In the
State Of Virginia. The central idea
in the school is to inspire young wo-
mon to enter the profession of teach
ing with clear and accurate ideas of
the various educational problems that
confront the public school teacher.
It is no longer deemed adequate that
a teacher be proficient In subject mat
ter only; professional training must
be added. Hence. even in the academic
work OF the school, the professional
idea is emphasized. Incidental instruc-
ton in methods is everywhere given
in connection with the presentation, of
subject matter. Courses in psychology
are given to throw light on the laws
Of mental development, that these may
not be violated In the training Of
youth. Courses in the history of edu-
cation give the teacher the evolution
Of the educational ideals of the present
day and bring her face to face with
the educators and teachers Of all ages,
together with their methods and
systems. Courses IN school manage
ment are designed ito help the teacher
in the organization and conducting OF
% school upon sound pedagogical prin-
ciples Actual teaching in our train
ing school under the guidance and
criticism Of special Supervisors gives
to the State body OF teachers spe-.
cially trained I for their: profession.
Every department In the institution
lends Its assistance to the department
OF education in Inspiring the young
teachers with glthe loftiest ideals Of.
what the true teacher should be, and
what sort of service should be given
the State. & Z
Thus ut becomes apparent that the
purpose Of the institution is to give
to the teachersEAof e the Statesof Vir-
glnia the highest prof sstonnl skill
possible in theStraining OF her future
citizens. III Il
The buildings In Farmvillc.
The old building in which tho school
started has been added 4 to and re-
placed antil practically nothing Of the.
original remains. The present plant,
is a three-story brick structure con-
sistlng Of thetm main building, east wing,
middle east wing, west wing, middle
west wing, south Cor dining-room)
wing, and the science hall, which Is